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Laos travel guide

Monk in temple, Laos

Find out what to see and do when travelling or backpacking around Laos.

Laos highlights

  Destination Make a reservation
Luang Prabang, Laos
Luang Prabang
With its brew of gleaming temple roofs, crumbling French provincial architecture and multiethnic inhabitants, Luang Prabang is a must-see for any visit to Laos.		 Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
Vientiane, Laos
Vientiane
Laos' capital city certainly doesn't feel like any other in Asia, rather like a large town. This is the place to see Laos' most important national symbol Pha Tat Luan.		 Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
Vang Vieng, Laos
Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is a great place to visit for a few days. The scenery is absolutely stunning and there are plenty of activities on offer such as tubing, kayaking and rock climbing.		 Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
Phonsovan and the Plain of Jars, Laos
Phonsavan and the Plain of Jars
Phonsovan and the nearby Plain of Jars is well worth a look during your time in Laos. The 2000 year old jars set amongst the rice paddies are wonderfully mysterious, while the town of Phonsovan is surrounded by beautiful scenery and emanates a bucolic charm.		 Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
Luang Namtha, Laos
Luang Namtha
Luang Nam Tha itself is a quiet, ordered town filled with quietly humming businesses and residences. You can easily take a trek into the Nam Ha NPA to explore a patchwork of rich rice paddies and ethnically diverse villages. 		Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
Boloven waterfalls, Laos
Boloven plateau
The Boloven Plateau is famous for its cool climate, dramatic waterfalls, fertile soil and minority villages.		 Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
Sipandone, Laos
Sipandone (4000 islands)
One of the best rural destinations in the south. During the dry season, when water-levels have slowly dropped, many of the islands emerge from the river and approximately 4000 islands are created.		 Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
Sam Neua, Laos
Sam Neua
A bit of a frontier town, you'll probably stay in Sam Neaua if you're planning to travel to or from Vietnam. You can also visit the nearby caves at Viengxai.		 Flights Hotels Hostels Tours

Main travellers routes

  • As there are no direct flights from the UK to Laos most travellers enter Laos overland at one of the borders with Thailand.
  • Many prefer to start in Vientiane of Luang Prabang before heading south and onto Cambodia or east and into Vietnam.
  • Transport across Laos is not particularly well developed. There are no trains so the large distances must be covered by internal flights or buses. Shorter routes are almost always covered by bus and the roads are very windy, meaning that a route that doesn't look too far on a map may take a full day.
  • Rural areas can be more difficult to get to, and take a lot of time, so most travellers prefer to stay around the northern towns of Luang Prabang, Vientiane and Vang Vieng. However, if you're feeling adventurous your explorations will be well rewarded.
  • Laos has land borders with Thailand, China, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Capital and main cities

  • Vientiane
  • Other main populated areas: Luang Prabang

Languages

  • Laotian
  • Some English
  • Some French

Currency

Visas (always check with your embassy)

  • Visa required for UK Tourists.
  • Can be obtained at the borders with Thailand or at the airport on arrival.
  • Valid for 30 days or 90 days.
  • Visas are around US$30 and you must have at least one passport photo to obtain your visa. Your passport must be valid for an additional 6 months after return date.

Foreign Office Advice

Flights and accommodation

Tours and day trips in Laos

This guide to travelling in Laos was contributed by Laos Travel Plan

Next: Planning a trip to Laos