How to get around Laos

Getting around Laos might seem overwhelming, but it’s very easy once you know what to do. Within cities, tuk tuks are the best way around, and between cities, Laos has an incredible train network in the north, and is connected by buses in the south. I did my 10 day Laos itinerary using only trains, and it was fantastic. Here is all of my best advice for getting around Laos cheaply and sustainably.

Luang Prabang

Getting around Laos by Tuk Tuk and Taxi

In Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng, your best option is to get a tuk tuk. These are literally everywhere, and the likelihood is the tuk tuk will find you. Make sure you negotiate a price as they will always give you a higher initial price. It will be much cheaper for you to share the ride with other people if you can, especially if you’re going a long way to Kuang Si Waterfall or other places. People in hostels will be your best bet! If you’re going somewhere out of the city, you can often ask the tuk tuk driver to wait for you for a few hours and then take you back as well. If you do this, make sure you don’t pay them until you’re back where you started!

In Vientiane, download Loca - Laos’ version of Uber. This is the cheapest way of getting around and is very easy to use.

Kuang Si Falls, Luang Prabang

Getting around Laos by Bus and Train

Between towns and cities, you can use buses or trains to get around Laos. The 12Go Asia app is good for this if you book in advance, but if you are 4 days or fewer away from your travel date, book in person through your hostel. This is especially important for the train. The train network in Laos is incredible - you don’t feel like you’re in Southeast Asia at all. However, you need to book tickets in advance, otherwise they might not be confirmed in time and you could receive an email the day before saying that you do not, in fact, have a ticket. This happened to so many people I met. Hostels can help you book tickets more reliably, and they will often include the price of a tuk tuk to the train station.

Vang Vieng

Between Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng, the train is the best option. It takes less than an hour vs 5+ hours in a minivan on some bumpy roads, and will cost you around £15-£20. Be prepared for airport-style security when you arrive at the station, and give yourself at least 45 minutes before your train leaves.

Between Vang Vieng and Vientiane, consider taking the bus as it takes you closer to the city centre (the train station is quite far out) in the same amount of time. The train still is a good option, but is more expensive, around £35-£40. Make sure you negotiate a price with the tuk tuk drivers at the train station when you arrive, and consider sharing with other people. I was in a full tuk-tuk and paid 50,000 LAK (approx. £4.50) for this trip.

The train network stops at Vientiane, so if you are planning on going further south in Laos (which I regret not doing!), you will have to book a bus. 12Go Asia or through your hostel will again be the best way to do this.

For a full 10 day itinerary for Laos, see my post here, or check out the best things to do in Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng!

Vang Vieng

I hope this helps you plan your trip to Laos. You can get to all the best places by public transport, and if in doubt, always ask someone at your hostel or an agency in town. Public transport is obviously the most sustainable way to move around, so prioritise this where you can. As always, look after the places you visit and remember to only leave your footprints behind :)