Luang Prabang

Getting to Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang International Airport is a visa-on-arrival and e-Visa entry point. See Laos#Get in for details. Visa extensions are possible at the immigration office opposite the Rama Hotel. The cost is US$2/day plus a US$2 form fee. The process is very easy. Turn up in the morning with your passport and one photo.

1. 01
   Luang Prabang International Airport

   Laos's second largest airport, and as of 2023 offers services to several destinations in the region, including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Siem Reap, and Vientiane.

Worth seeing

1. 01
   Ock Pop Tok Living Craft Centre

   Ban Saylom (on the banks of the Mekong 2 km south of the city),.

2. 02
   Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre

   This small, but perfectly formed museum is dedicated to the ethnic cultures of Laos.

3. 03
   Heuan Chan Heritage House

   A museum with one of the few remaining pre-colonisation houses.

4. 04
   Alms

   Monks at dawn collect alms of rice from kneeling villagers (and early-rising tourists).

5. 05
   Royal Palace National Museum

   The former royal palace, now a national museum.

6. 06
   Royal Ballet Theatre

   Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evening there is a show featuring one part of the Lao epic Phra Lak Phra Ram.

Where to eat

There are no multi-national fast food outlets in Luang Prabang. Restaurants line Sisavangvong Rd and the roads along the Mekong and Nam Khan. Food runs the gamut from standard SE Asian backpacker fare to more traditional Lao dishes, including buffalo sausage right up to very high quality French cuisine. There are also numerous market stalls for cheaper food, including baguettes, crepes, and pancakes.

1. 01
   Bamboo Garden Restaurant

   Popular spot for the expats and GVI volunteers.

2. 02
   Khao Soi Street Stall
3. 03
   Nang Tao

   Most of the staff do not speak English, but there is one fellow there that does (and you can point at the menu).

4. 04
   Joma Bakery Cafe
5. 05
   Nisha Restaurant

   Great vegetarian/vegan options but serves (halal) meat as well.

Getting around Luang Prabang the local way

Since the Laos–China Railway opened in December 2021 almost everyone arrives by train at a station 12 km east of the old town and rides a green minibus in; the two-day Mekong slow boat from the Thai border at Huay Xai is now a scenic choice rather than a necessity, the long-distance buses on Route 13 have thinned out, and inside town it is shared tuk-tuks, the green minibus network and your own feet.

1. 01
   Laos–China Railway, Boten to Vientianetrain

   Luang Prabang station to Vientiane southbound (via Vang Vieng) and to Muang Xay, Boten and Kunming northbound

   Where

   The station is 12 km east of the old town at about 19.8677, 102.2136 – not walkable, and taxis pay 30,000 kip to enter the forecourt, so being dropped at the gate leaves you a long climb up stairs to the concourse. Treat it like an airport: arrive 60 minutes early, bags are x-rayed, flammables and knives are confiscated, and you need the ticket to get out of the station at the far end. Tickets are the hard part, not the train – demand beats capacity and sales open only a few days ahead.

   When

   Southbound to Vientiane: six trains daily in 2026 (C91, D87, K11, D83, C85, C81), departing Luang Prabang roughly 12:28, 14:58, 16:31, 18:11, 18:35 and 19:22. Northbound from Vientiane: seven daily, reaching Luang Prabang 09:06 to 17:26. One D-train each way continues to Kunming.

   Fare (2026)

   Vientiane–Luang Prabang on the fast trains: 975,000 kip business, 522,000 kip first, 330,000 kip second. On the slow K trains: 579,000 kip soft sleeper, 234,000 kip hard seat. Vientiane–Kunming 2,592,000 kip first, 1,626,000 kip second.

   Takes

   About 1h 50m to 2h to Vientiane on a C or D express, roughly 2h 55m on the slower K11/K12 ordinary train; about 1h 10m to Vang Vieng

   Season

   Year-round. Trains are least available around Lao New Year in April and Chinese New Year, when the booking window may open earlier.

   Booking

   LCR Ticket app (email registration works if you have no Lao, Thai or Chinese number; Visa but not Mastercard), the city-centre LCR ticket office on Phothisalath Road near the Vietnamese consulate (10:00–12:00 and 12:30–15:30, cash), the station counters, or agents such as 12go and Bookaway. Most hotels will buy for you, which is the least painful route.

   Sources: seat61.com (2026-06) · seat61.com (2026-06) · en.wikivoyage.org (2026-09) · confidence high

2. 02
   Green minibus: railway station and Kuang Sishuttle bus

   Thatluang Park in town to the railway station, and Thatluang Park to Kuang Si Falls

   Where

   Arriving by train, leave the station building and go down the stairs; the green minibuses wait below with ticket tents beside them. They set you down at Thatluang Park, at about 19.8823, 102.1270, a short walk or cheap tuk-tuk from the old town. Going out to the station, get your guesthouse to phone one rather than trusting the timetable chalked up at the van stop. The same operator runs the Kuang Si service from the Thatluang Park yard, where you can also leave a locked bicycle.

   When

   Station runs meet the trains. Kuang Si departures from Thatluang Park at 08:00, 09:30, 10:30, 12:00, 13:30 and 15:00.

   Fare (2026)

   40,000 kip a seat station to town (seen August 2026); the operator's own listing quotes 30,000 kip for the station run. Kuang Si 45,000 kip one way, 90,000 kip return. Minivans that drop you at your hotel instead charge 50,000 kip.

   Takes

   About 25–30 minutes town to station; about 45 minutes to Kuang Si

   Season

   Year-round; the Kuang Si run is busiest November to February

   Booking

   None – buy at the tents outside the station or at the Thatluang Park yard

   Sources: en.wikivoyage.org (2026-09) · en.wikivoyage.org (2026-09) · en.wikivoyage.org (2026-09) · confidence medium

3. 03
   Mekong slow boat, Huay Xai to Pakbeng to Luang Prabangboat

   Huay Xai (Thai border) down the Mekong, overnight in Pakbeng, then on to Ban Don pier north of Luang Prabang

   Where

   Downstream the boats leave the Huay Xai slow boat pier 1 km north of town; the ticket office keeps erratic hours, so if it is shut in the morning try 14:00–16:00. At the Luang Prabang end boats use the slow boat harbour at Ban Don, about 19.9250, 102.1804, roughly 10 km upstream of the old town and well over an hour's walk – tuk-tuk drivers fill a vehicle with ten passengers and run everyone to the night market entrance. Upstream boats leave Luang Prabang from the same pier. Buy at the pier rather than through an agent, and never hand your ticket over on the first leg: the Pakbeng boat is a different crew who will try to sell you a second ticket.

   When

   One boat a day in each direction. Downstream departures from Huay Xai moved to 09:00 in late 2024 (they used to be 11:00), Pakbeng to Luang Prabang around 09:00, Luang Prabang upstream around 08:30.

   Fare (2026)

   400,000 kip Huay Xai to Luang Prabang bought at the pier, or 200,000 kip per leg bought separately; 220,000 kip and up quoted for the upstream trip. Shared tuk-tuk from Ban Don pier into town 40,000 kip a head. A Shompoo comfort cruise over the same two days is US$155 downstream and US$130 upstream.

   Takes

   Two days, roughly eight to nine hours on the water each day, with a compulsory night in Pakbeng. Downstream arrivals at Ban Don around 16:00.

   Season

   Year-round, but water levels govern everything – the river is lowest at the end of the dry season around March to May and the boats run slower and stop more often

   Booking

   Public boat: none needed, buy at the pier on the day, or through a guesthouse for about a dollar more. Comfort cruises: shompoo-cruise.com or a travel agent in town.

   Sources: en.wikivoyage.org (2026-09) · en.wikivoyage.org (2026-09) · en.wikivoyage.org (2026-09) · confidence high

4. 04
   Mekong speedboat to Pakbeng and Huay Xaispeedboat

   Fast boat pier about 10 km north of Luang Prabang, up the Mekong to Pakbeng and Huay Xai

   Where

   Not the same pier as the slow boat – you need a minivan out to the fast boat landing about 10 km north of town, arranged with the agent who sells the ticket. The craft is a long canoe with an oversized outboard; a crash helmet and life jacket should be handed to you and you should refuse to board without both. Crews are often reluctant to take foreigners and you may watch several boats leave without you. Coming in, some crews drop passengers at a bamboo dock 10 km short of Luang Prabang and leave them to a tuk-tuk driver asking US$15 a head.

   When

   No timetable – boats leave when full, mornings only in practice

   Fare (2026)

   320,000–370,000 kip through travel agents in Luang Prabang, plus the minivan to the pier

   Takes

   About 6 hours to Huay Xai, as little as 4 hours in the wet season when the river is high; roughly 3 hours to Pakbeng

   Season

   Considered most dangerous in the dry season, when rocks and shallow channels are exposed. Fatalities from capsizing and striking driftwood have been reported; the boats are built for eight and are routinely overloaded.

   Booking

   Through any travel agent in town; there is no counter you can usefully ring

   Sources: en.wikivoyage.org (2026-09) · en.wikivoyage.org (2026-09) · en.wikivoyage.org (2026-09) · confidence medium

5. 05
   Naluang southern bus terminal: Vientiane, Vang Vieng, Phonsavan, Hanoibus

   Naluang (Southern) International Bus Station on Route 13 south of town, at about 19.8687, 102.1315

   Where

   2.6 km southwest of the old town on the main road; a tuk-tuk should be 50,000 kip or less from anywhere in town, and a shared tuk-tuk back in costs about 20,000 kip a head. Everything long-distance and southbound leaves from here – Vientiane, Vang Vieng, Phonsavan, Sainyabuli, Vinh and Hanoi. Buying at the counter is much cheaper than through a hotel, which adds up to 100,000 kip for arranging a tuk-tuk and buying the same ticket. For Hanoi, buy from the Naluang Travel Company office opposite the station rather than inside it.

   When

   Vientiane local departures 06:30, 08:30, 11:00, 14:00, 16:30, 17:00 and 18:30; VIP 08:00, 09:00, 19:30 and 20:30. Vang Vieng 09:30. Phonsavan 08:30. Hanoi daily except Thursday at 18:00.

   Fare (2024)

   Vientiane 110,000 kip express, 145,000–150,000 kip air-con VIP, 165,000 kip VIP sleeper through an agent. Vang Vieng 90,000 kip air-con, 105,000 kip VIP, about 150,000 kip for the VIP through an agent. Phonsavan 255,000 kip VIP from the counter (July 2024). Hanoi 360,000 kip.

   Takes

   Vientiane 12 to 13 hours including the meal stop, not the nine they advertise; Vang Vieng 6 to 7 hours; Phonsavan 11 hours; Hanoi 24 hours

   Season

   Year-round. Route 13 north of Vang Vieng was in bad repair as of early 2025 and is worst in the July–August rains; the Vang Vieng–Vientiane stretch is in good condition.

   Booking

   At the terminal counter, ideally a day ahead for VIP buses, which have reserved seats

   Sources: en.wikivoyage.org (2026-09) · en.wikivoyage.org (2026-09) · en.wikivoyage.org (2026-09) · confidence medium

6. 06
   Northern bus station: Nong Khiaw, Muang Xay, Luang Namtha, Huay Xaiminibus

   Northern (Lokprasert) Bus Station on the airport side of town, roughly 3.3 km out

   Where

   A separate terminal from Naluang and easy to confuse with it – everything heading north and northwest goes from here, while Vientiane and Vietnam go from the southern one. Tuk-tuk 50,000 kip or less. Most northern services are public minibuses rather than coaches, with big packs on the roof; reservations are usually unnecessary but go early for a decent seat. Boats no longer run from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw – the Nam Ou dams ended that – so the road is the only way there now, and the river boats you may have read about start at Nong Khiaw itself, not here.

   When

   Muang Xay and Luang Namtha around 09:00; Nong Khiaw around 09:00 and 11:00; Huay Xai public buses at 09:00 and 17:00 with VIP buses on alternating days

   Fare (2026)

   Nong Khiaw 50,000–70,000 kip; Muang Xay 40,000 kip; Luang Namtha 90,000 kip; Huay Xai 135,000 kip, with VIP tickets about 35,000 kip cheaper bought at the station than from an agent in town. At Nong Khiaw the onward boat to Muang Ngoi is 25,000 kip.

   Takes

   Nong Khiaw 3 to 4 hours; Muang Xay about 5 hours; Luang Namtha 8 to 9 hours; Huay Xai up to 15 hours

   Season

   Year-round; northern roads including the Oudomxay stretch are rough and slowest in the July–August rains

   Booking

   At the station counter, or have a guesthouse book and collect you – agents charge a large premium for the same seat

   Sources: en.wikivoyage.org (2026-09) · en.wikivoyage.org (2026-09) · en.wikivoyage.org (2026-09) · confidence medium

7. 07
   Shared tuk-tuks and jumbostuk tuk

   Old town, the night market, both bus stations, the airport, the railway station and the river piers

   Where

   Open-sided three-wheelers wait at the night market entrance on Sisavangvong Road, outside the airport arrivals hall, and at both bus terminals and the boat piers, where they fill up with about ten passengers before leaving. Large buses and trucks are banned in the old town, so beyond the green minibus this is the only motorised option. Prices are quoted per person unless you explicitly negotiate to charter the whole vehicle, and drivers arriving from the piers will drop everyone at the night market rather than at individual guesthouses. Agree the fare before getting in.

   When

   On demand through the day; thin after the night market closes

   Fare (2024)

   No more than 50,000 kip from anywhere in town to either bus station; 20,000 kip a head shared from the southern station into town; 80,000–100,000 kip from the airport, or a flat 80,000 kip at the airport taxi counter for one or two people; 40,000 kip a head shared from the slow boat pier. A short jumbo hop of 1–5 km should be about 20,000 kip.

   Takes

   10 minutes across the old town, 25–30 minutes to the railway station

   Season

   Year-round

   Booking

   None, pay the driver; Loca via app

   Sources: en.wikivoyage.org (2026-09) · en.wikivoyage.org (2026-09) · en.wikivoyage.org (2026-09) · confidence medium

8. 08
   Huay Xai and the Fourth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridgeborder crossing

   Chiang Khong (Thailand) to Huay Xai (Laos), then slow boat or bus to Luang Prabang

   Where

   The bridge is about 20 km south of Huay Xai town at roughly 20.2138, 100.4541. You cannot walk or cycle across – after Thai immigration everyone takes a shuttle bus over the span, and it only leaves when reasonably full, so allow up to an hour. The border is open 06:00 to 22:00 but the shuttle runs only 08:00 to 18:00, which is the trap. Bring a passport photo; without one the Lao desk scans your passport for a fee. From the Lao checkpoint a counter sells onward bus and songthaew tickets, and a songthaew into Huay Xai town is about 100 baht.

   When

   Shuttle buses across the bridge run 08:00–18:00 and leave when full

   Fare (2024)

   Shuttle bus 20 baht, 25 baht at weekends and after 16:00, 40 baht after 18:00; bicycles carried inside for 100 baht. Lao visa on arrival US$40 for most nationalities, plus a 20 baht stamp fee, an 80 baht fee if you have no photo, and a 10,000 kip overtime charge at weekends and after 16:00. Chiang Rai to the border by local bus 140 baht.

   Takes

   Allow 1 to 2 hours for the crossing itself

   Season

   Year-round. Note the slow boat downriver from Huay Xai now leaves at 09:00, too early to connect from the first Chiang Rai bus, so most people sleep in Huay Xai.

   Booking

   None for the crossing. Lao e-visa in advance at laoevisa.gov.la avoids the visa-on-arrival queue.

   Sources: en.wikivoyage.org (2026-09) · en.wikivoyage.org (2026-09) · seat61.com (2026-06) · confidence medium

9. 09
   Wet season, Route 13 and the riverservice status

   Everything overland and everything on the Mekong

   Where

   Laos runs on three seasons: hot from March to May, wet from May to October with the heaviest rain in July and August, and cool and dry from November to February. The wet months are what decide your options. Route 13 between Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng was already in bad repair in early 2025 and degrades further in the rains; the road to Kuang Si is twisting, potholed and sandy, and the Wikivoyage article carries an explicit warning about scooter crashes on it. On the river the picture is reversed – high water in the wet season makes the Mekong more navigable and cuts the speedboat run to Huay Xai to about four hours, while low water in March to May slows everything and exposes rocks. The train is the one mode the weather barely touches, which is a large part of why it has taken over.

   When

   Wet season May to October; heaviest rain July to August

   Fare

   Not applicable

   Takes

   Allow extra hours on any Route 13 bus in the rains

   Season

   May to October wet, March to May hot and low water, November to February cool and dry

   Booking

   Not applicable

   Sources: en.wikivoyage.org (2026-09) · en.wikivoyage.org (2026-09) · en.wikivoyage.org (2026-09) · confidence medium

Not yet confirmed: The brief describes Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi river boats as reachable from Luang Prabang. They are not. Dams on the Nam Ou ended the Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw boat; you go by road (3 to 4 hours) and pick up the boat at Nong Khiaw for Muang Ngoi (25,000 kip, 10:30 and 14:30). Some Luang Prabang operators sell a van-then-boat combination that drives past the dam.; No published fixed tuk-tuk zone tariff for Luang Prabang could be found. The figures here are traveller-reported ceilings, and the airport rate (80,000 to 100,000 kip) was last confirmed in 2020–2022. Ask at the airport taxi counter, which does post a flat rate.; Sources disagree on how far ahead train tickets open: Wikivoyage says three days, seat61 says the window was extended from four to seven days in July 2025. Assume three unless the LCR app shows otherwise.; The green minibus fare to the railway station is quoted as both 40,000 kip (August 2026) and 30,000 kip (October 2025) on the same Wikivoyage page. No operator page or timetable for this service was found online.; No current source confirms that the Mekong speedboats to Pakbeng and Huay Xai are still running as a regular service since the railway opened. Every fare found is from travel-agent quotes, not an operator. Check on the ground before planning around it.; No usable timetable exists for the Luang Prabang to Huay Xai VIP buses, which run on alternating days; the station counter is the only source.; Bicycle hire was not given its own entry. One confirmed shop, LP Holiday Travel on Kingkitsalat Road, rents city and mountain bikes at 60,000 kip a day; there is no published island-wide rate. Motorbike hire is widely available but several agencies have been accused of taking bikes back and demanding compensation, so the rental shop matters more than the price.; Laos Train Tickets (laostrain.com) publishes route pages with duration and distance but no fares, and its API host api.laostrain.com returned 404 on every path probed..

The field note on Luang Prabang reads this entry in full, one option at a time, with every source beside it.