Laos Travel Forum

My plan is to buy a round trip ticket Manila-BKK-Manila. Then from BKK, bus (BKK to Chang mai then chang rai then huay xai then boat to LP) or plane (BKK to ChangRai via Air Asia then huay xai then boat to LP).

However, I always end up having a hard time finding a transportation from Vientiane (since this is my last stop in Laos) to BKK. Either there's no airline that has a route here or it's very expensive.

Or after Vientiane, I'm thinking of going back again to Huay Xai and then cross the border to Chang Rai and then take a bus/plane to BKK?

Any suggestions? New ideas are accepted =)

Airasia have deals on just now for flights between Kuala Lumpur & Vietiane. Can you return to Manila via KL?

The only flight available within my budget is Cebu pacific, but the time of departure is 1:20am from KL. I'm planning to take the Air Asia flight on May 6, Vientiane-KL, 10:05am then arrival at KL by 13:40. If I take the Cebu Pacific flight to manila, it means I can only depart from KL on May 7, since the flight is at 1:20am.

I thought of starting from Vientiane, then VV then LP, but I searched Air Asia already, there's no flight from BKK to Vientiane.

Lao airlines do Bangkok to VTE & LP. Thai flies to VTE. Not sure on the cost.

Or, have you thought of flying from Bangkok to Udon Thani (this would be cheaper) & then travelling by road to VTE?

thanks for the suggestions guys! I probably just move the date that I'll be coming back to Manila so I can avail of the Cebu Pacific flight. That's the only option I have

When are you travelling to Laos?

First off, as above, both Lao Airlines and THAI Airways operate flights between VTE and Bangkok. Both Lao Airlines and BANGKOK Airways operate flights between Bangkok and Luang Prabang. Lao Airlines is almost always cheaper than their foreign airline rivals for international and of course domestic flights. They give small discounts for RT flights and even more discounts for multi segment flights.

However, if your'e on a tight budget, you might consider flying budget airlines Thai Air Asia or Nok Air to Udon Thani (about 1 hour from Nong Khai, the town across the Mekong River from Vientiane) from where you can take a bus or minivan to Nong Khai or the border. Another good and cheap option is to take the overnight slepper train to Nong Khai (9am arrival, usually arrives a little to sometimes an hour or so late). There is also the VIP bus option that goes all the way Vientiane and Vang Vieng (including time at the border to get your Lao visa upon arrival).

Since you're posted 3 questions/threads on Laos:
1. While the Mekong journey is scenic at some points, since you've only got a week for your travels in Laos I would NOT recommend taking the 2 day slowboat from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang. It's scenic but it's not worth 2 days of your travels. As above, you can take the boat while in Luang prabang to some of the tourists sights. And I don't recommend the speedboats because they're dangerous, uncomfortable, and bad for the environment.
2. For a 1 week trip, you've only got time for Luang Prabang (2-3 days)
Vang Vieng (1-2days)
Vientiane (maximum 1 full day)
3. It takes 10 hours by VIP bus between Vientiane and Luang Prabang.
It takes 5-6 hours by VIP bus or shared minivan between Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng.
It takes 3-5 hours by bus or shared minivan between Vientiane and Vang Vieng.
4. YOu can take an overnight VIP bus from Vientiane to Bangkok and there are several bus companies that offer this route. Cost is approx. U$20 or 750bahts.
5. Another option for a quick return from Luang Prabang to Bangkok is to fly Luang Prabang to Udon Thani on Fridays and Sundays ONLY and connect with budget airlines Thai Air Asia or Nok Air to Bangkok. At present Lao Airlines chargesU$95 for the oneway flight. However, Lao Airlines have cancelled their flight due to lack of passengers in which case, they've flown their passenger to Vientiane and provided a free van transfer to Udon Thani.
6. And of course you could also take the VIP bus or night sleeper train from Udon Thani to Bangkok. The VIP busfare from Udon Thani to Bangkok's Mochit Bus Station is 400baht's or approximately U$11-12.

thanks for the very detailed reply! I really appreciate it. My target travel date is May 1-7, but still not sure though. But definitely it's one week because my job follows the Chinese holidays tradition, so no work for one week on May.