Planning a trip to Laos

Plan to spend at least 10 days to cover the highlights of Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, and Vientiane using a mix of domestic flights and minivans. Focus your time on the north, as road travel in the south is significantly slower and more taxing.

1. Map out your route. Most travelers follow the 'Banana Pancake' loop: start in Luang Prabang, head south to Vang Vieng, and finish in Vientiane. Do not attempt to add the 4000 Islands (south) unless you have at least 18 days total.
2. Choose your transport. Use the new high-speed train (LCR) connecting Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, and Vientiane. It cuts travel time from 8 hours by bus to 2 hours. Buy tickets via the 'LCR Ticket' app 3 days in advance.
3. Secure your currency. Laos is a cash-heavy economy. While ATMs are in cities, they often run out of money or have low withdrawal limits. Bring crisp, clean USD bills to exchange at banks for better rates if you hit an ATM shortage.
4. Check regional connectivity. If flying in, Bangkok is your best hub. Fly AirAsia or Lao Airlines into Luang Prabang to save time; arriving by land from Thailand takes a full day and involves multiple transfers.

Is it safe to drink the tap water?

No. Only drink bottled or filtered water, and avoid ice in rural areas if you have a sensitive stomach.

How do I get around cities?

Use the Loca app, which is the Lao version of Grab/Uber. It prevents price haggling with tuk-tuk drivers.