 |
| Transportation in LAOS |
| Long Distance Travel in LAOS LAND Yet if you're one to admire the view then the coach is another answer ... but beware the 'overnight coach' because you will NOT get any sleep on those coaches. So if you think you are going to save a night's accommodation with this night ride, it won't work in Laos (i'm not sure when it will!). So I strongly suggest the day ride so that you can get the views in as well anyway. The bus/coaches are comfortable enough though - with frequent set toilet stops ... and then some ... |
 |
 |
| As for public transport within townships, there's the 'samlors' and 'jumbos' (a larger version of the 'tuk-tuk'. They're very easy to find, most likely they will find you so trust the convenience. There's no public buses as such. The bigger 'songthaew' can be considered a 'bus' i guess. There are plenty of places where you can rent bicycles for a cheap price. Then there are also many places where you can simply use your own feet to take you there - with a comprehensive map of your own, of course! I use the one from my guidebook. It's quite good. You can walk along the Mekong at dusk. Have dinner by candle light (and some mosquitoes!), by the Mekong. The beauty of this is, you can enjoy doing this all over Laos of course. In Vientiane you can do this and after a nice meal you can go join a free open-air Aerobics class with the locals, also by the Mekong! |
 |
 |
 |
| @LAO Intro @Lao Events @Luang Prabang @Vientiane @Pakse @Si Pan Don @Mekong River @Transportation |
| The other option is via the Mekong. The speedboats (above/below) certainly are speedy! and loud too! The boat seats 8 passengers, a driver up front and luggage at the back. The boat is quite well equipped now with life jackets for each passenger and helmet. I would suggest bringing your own extra earplugs because the boat can get VERY loud after a long trip. |
 |
| I took this speed boat option from Luang Prabang to Huai Xai - in order to cross the northern border into Chiang Kong in Thailand. It was a six hour trip on the boat, but we had a lunch stop mid-way on a floating restaurant. This trip is for the adventurous, and those with very expandable bladders! The drivers I had seemed to be very reluctant to make toilet stops on request. Then when we stopped there were no 'toilets' as such for us. There are not even trees to hid behind (bad for the girls!) ************************************* There are also still some slow boats with basic accommodation that will give you a leisurely cruise along the Mekong - to your next destination. |
| Long Distance Travel in LAOS AIR Wanna fly domestically within LAOS? You may have heard of dangers of the Lao domestic airline but it's all new and safe. I found it okay ... This is the quick and easy way to get to the more well know towns of Laos to the north or south or the capital, Vientiane. |