Visiting Laos

[listenup]

When ever I do my visa runs, I try and make a holiday out of it at the same time. This time I plan to venture to Laos, for a week.

Can anyone recommend an agent in Bangkok that can book flights via Laos Airlines?

Any advice from people that have visited Laos? (An open question but I’ve only started planning the trip, so thought you helpful people could give some advice I wouldn’t read from the Lonely Planet guide book!)

Cheers!

Chris

[asanee]

ANY Thai tr-agent should be able to book flites, so simply use the 1 you know (its also complete nonsense to go to someone other side of town, nah?).

Also: LAo-air was on+off last time for its flites to BKK, leaving it effectively to ThaiAir.

it is MUCH cheaper to fly to UDON (THAI or AirAsia or NOK) and use a DIRECT bus from there (=from town, busstation, OR minivan by THAI to Intern. bridge). The common western nationals can just pay for the visa at bridge @30US (for 15 days) Advance price depends on nationality and if for 30 days

ALL normal 1st-toime advice is In that LP: the best known places are LuangPrabang (a nottoomiss, in fact a much beter choice, direct flites on BKK-air of wanted!), the old royalseat (and an awfully nice renovated old-time Chmaistyle friendly population) and in between the ''adventure'' village of VangVieng.

[GoodHeart]

I'd urge you to visit Luang Phrabang. The town is enchanting. A place deviod of modernity. Bring reading material, camera, cash, any all anticipated medicines and above all: an open mind. Then prepare to downshift to a mental crawl.

Guesthouses:

A great one on the Mekong River is KhongSavat Guesthouse [-/+$20] Features include: an ideal river front location, a great balcony, full breakfast and nice rooms. Ph. [071]212-994

Bakery Guesthouse [+/-$30] Best room I saw regardless of price! Features include: Central location, full breakfast [but food here is downright bland and tasteless], a wonderful semi-private balcony, mystery woman owner. Ph. [856-71]252-499

Special Request:: Please inquire about room scenting procedures at this guesthouse. Trust me on this, the rooms are worth a sniff and a look-see!

Sayo Guesthouse -two locations, actually. Very reasonable prices. Features include: good locations, clean rooms, AMs coffee only. Ph. [856-71]252-614 and 212-484

For Bangkok newspapers and best coffee in town try Joma

Cuisine tip: order anywhere and everywhere the Goy Pa with Khao Niew. Bring handy wipes tissues, use first and dig in with your hands- no utinsiles allowed! Also try the bamboo soups and the unique in all of Laos to Luang Phrabang only- beef stew.

[GoodHeart]

PS- Bangkok Airways can be booked online and may have a special fare running now. Their inflight service is very good. A bit better than Lao Air IMHO.

[smartecosse]

and the baguettes are delicious

[listenup]

Thanks for the advice, especially Goodheart for the recomendations. Will check them out.

Thanks!

[listenup]

I've just booked some flights to Udon Thani and plan to go that route going there.

Does anyone have more info on the bus that takes me to the boarder? Times, fares etc.

Thanks!

[Totster]

I've just booked some flights to Udon Thani and plan to go that route going there.

Does anyone have more info on the bus that takes me to the boarder? Times, fares etc.

Thanks!

Please see the following link...

Udon Thani - Vientiane Bus Schedule

totster

[jdinasia]

5-600 baht and you can get a minivan to the border. Fast and easy (price per vehicle) I forget what it cost me from the border to V the last time I did that ... pretty cheap though ....

the last time we went up (NYE-Jan3 this year) we drove ...

[Smithson]

I always take the train, overnight air con sleeper is less than 700b one way and it takes you close to the border, then just 20B by motorbike. Besides the price, there's a lot of hassle flying and then getting the bus. It depends on whether you like trains or not.

[tourleadersi]

I know its a bit late in the day but if you could change your flight I would suggest this routing.

Fly Chiang Rai and take car to border at Chiang Khong. Cross into Laos and stay one night in Ban Houesai.

Slow Boat to Pakbeng down the Mekong, overnight in Pakbeng.

Continue by slow boat from Pakbeng to Luang Prabang

Stay 3 nights in Luang Prabang. Must see the Kuang Si Waterfalls.

Fly back to Bangers from LP.

I kind of see the country as being divided into 3 sections. That is the northern section. Vientiane and Vang Vieng the Middle and Pakse etc the Southern. All are excelletn and can be covered comfortably in a week for each.

Whatever you do will be fun, Laos is great.

[listenup]

Thanks for the post tourleadersi.

I plan to come back that way I think, as I need to be in Vientiane to sort out my Visa.

Udon Thani to Vientiane, Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang...

Anything other than the waterfalls I really shouldn't miss on this route?

How long do you think this route will take me? Ideally I would like to book the return flight from Chiang Rai to Bangkok now as the flights will be alot cheaper booking in advance.

[tourleadersi]

Thanks for the post tourleadersi.

I plan to come back that way I think, as I need to be in Vientiane to sort out my Visa.

Udon Thani to Vientiane, Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang...

Anything other than the waterfalls I really shouldn't miss on this route?

How long do you think this route will take me? Ideally I would like to book the return flight from Chiang Rai to Bangkok now as the flights will be alot cheaper booking in advance.

Going North from Luang Prabang you have 2 choices. The road or the river. As it is rainy season the road may not be too good an option (perhaps someone who has taken it in the last week might be able to give you advice there). The river leaves you 2 choices as well. Slow boat or speed boat.

The slow boat leaves LP early in the morning and will stop overnight in Pakbeng. It will take you two full days to get to Ban Houesai and you may not make it to the border crossing at Chiang Khong before it closes, which means a night in Houesai before crossing in the morning. There are a variety of options to get from Chiang Khong to Chiang Rai, taxi, bus, minivan etc to suit most budgets. It is about a 3 hour drive.

The fast boat is an all day affair and is pretty scary! Imagine 8 hours dong 40mph on the Mekong with an engine screaming into your earhole and you'll get an idea of it. Looks great as they go whizzing by, but a different experience when you're in them. Your lower back and butt take such a pounding you'll feel like a freshman in prison.

Personally the slow boat is my preffered option as not only is it a little safer, but you actually get to see some of the Mekong. I guess you're looking at about 3 nights to get from Luang Prabang to Bangkok using this method.

Good luck.

Si

[listenup]

Thanks Si, you have been a great help.

[cm das]

Kind of on the same topic: I'm considering combining a visit to Udon with my next visa run, but no holiday planned for Laos. So, my question is can you show up at the border & get a cheap one-day visa like you can for Burma? Thanks

[listenup]

Hi cm das - It says in the LP book that only thais are able to get a one day visa, you will have to get the 15 days.

[listenup]

Only 10 days before I visit Laos!

Here is my plan:

Udon Thani to Vientiane

Vientiane to Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang

Slow boat to Pakbeng

Slow boat Pakbeng to Ban Houesai

Ban Houesai to Chiang Khong

Chiang Khong to Chiang Rai

What you guys think?

Have I missed anything?

Can anyone recommend hotels in any of the above towns? Is it like thailand in that it will take no longer than an hour to find a hotel?

Thanks!

[bmanly]

Hi cm das - It says in the LP book that only thais are able to get a one day visa, you will have to get the 15 days.

That is true to a certain extent however Thais with a valid Thai passport can get a 30 day visa on arrival for free now.

Only 10 days before I visit Laos!

Here is my plan:

Udon Thani to Vientiane

Vientiane to Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang

Slow boat to Pakbeng

Slow boat Pakbeng to Ban Houesai

Ban Houesai to Chiang Khong

Chiang Khong to Chiang Rai

What you guys think?

Have I missed anything?

Can anyone recommend hotels in any of the above towns? Is it like thailand in that it will take no longer than an hour to find a hotel?

Thanks!

Hi, you have missed Si Phan Don which is near the border of Cambodia. Si Phan Don means 4 thousand islands. There is litteraly 4 thousand islands on the Mekong River. There are rapids an waterfalls and a lot of rural life on the islands. Lots of rice fields, buffalos and local villiage people. The accommodation is rough though, no electricity on most islands. This may or may not be your style but it could be worth a visit. I found it interesting to see the river life. You might not have the time though. Try googling that for more info and have a good trip.

[rak sa_ngop]

Don't miss the Soladith night club in Vientiane (if you like that sort of thing).