Luang Prabang Travel Forum

I'm heading to South East Asia in Jan and am planning to go to Laos for the first time. I've been to Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam a few times now but for some reason have never actually made it to Laos. I fly into Bangkok but I've gotta meet my up with my girlfriend who will be in Siem Reap.

1) How easy/cheap is it to get from Siem Reap to Laos (probably Si Phan Don)and does it take very long?

2) We only have about 9-10days in Laos so i was thinking 2-3 days in Si Phan Don, 3-4 days in Luang Prabang, and maybe a day or two in Van Vieng. What's the best way to get to Luang Prabang from Si Phan Don and how long will it take?

3) Finally, other than flying what are ways of getting back to Bangkok from Luang Prabang and how long do they take?

Thanks heaps!

i got from LP to Bangkok in a day, but that required a little luck and 9 different vehicles.

I dont even know where Si Phan Don is, propably the Cambodian border area right? Id give Vietaine a miss, and spend time in Vang Vieng 3 days and LP 3 days. From VT to VV is 5-6 hours, and from VV to LP is 5-6 hours also.
with only 9-10 days Id start in Vang Vieng, then head to Luang Prabang, then take the slow boat (2 days tp Chiang Khong on the Thai border in the far north west...a bus from Chiang Mai to Bangkok goes over night its easy. it will be a rushed 10 days...but i did it so have fun.


If I were you, Id take the bus back to Bangkok, and then bus or train straight to Vientaine. Laos roads are very slow in the south I am told....still its a great way to see the country, stuff flying anywhere u dont have to.

Yeah, it's below Pakse, English name is Four Thousand Islands.

Cheers.

We took a slow boat from Luang Prabang back to Huay Xai - then crossed the border into Thailand. Buses and trains along the way from northern Thailand back to Bangkok. Depending on your time frame, flying can end up being cost and time effective. There are a range of boats from LP (we know this NOW) - and it was lovely boating up the Mekong. However, you might want to explore other options if you already boat it from Van Vieng. Any reason you are leaving Vientiane out?

A friend of mine said that it wasn't worth going to...usually I'd prefer to find out for myself, but because I have so little time I decided to skip it at least for this trip. Don't want to spend too much time jumping from place to place.

Thanks for the advice.

We didn't go there last time, but planning to check it out this time. Laos is all lovely. Do you know about the Gibbon Experience?