LAOS TRAVEL TIPS

Access
Please find below a list of carriers offering services into Laos:

• Bangkok Airways
• China Eastern Airlines
• Lao Airlines
• Thai Airways
• Vietnam Airlines

Note that the main hub for connecting flights is Bangkok.

Visa and Passport
A visa is compulsory to enter Laos. To obtain a visa you must first ensure your passport will be valid for at least 6 months after your return date.
Citizens of Luxembourg and Switzerland do not need a visa if the length of their stay is not exceeding 14 days.
There are 2 options at the moment to obtain a visa for Laos:

• For USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, E.U and Switzerland citizens visas can be acquired either directly or through your travel agency at Laotian Embassies and Consulates abroad.
• You can obtain your visa on arrival at the international checkpoints of Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, Luang Prabang or Pakse International Airports, at the Vietnam-Laos border checkpoint on national road 8 (Namphao) near Vinh (Vietnam) and on national road 9 (Densavanh) in front of Lao Bao (Vietnam), as well as the Thai-Laos border checkpoints at the Friendship Bridge in Vientiane (in front of Nongkhai), Vangtau close to Pakse (in front of Chongmek) and Houeixay (in front of Chiangkhong). At the China-Laos border you can obtain your visa at the checkpoint of Boten, in front of Mengla (Yunnan province). Be careful, the checkpoint of Veunkham between Laos and Cambodia cannot deliver visas on arrival yet. Both a Cambodian and Lao valid visa should therefore be in your possession before departure.

 

Before Going
If you are travelling in the north or the centre from November to February warm clothes are recommended and especially appropriate all year long in the Northern provinces (Samnua, Phongsaly, Luang Nam Tha, Oudomxay, Luang Prabang and Xieng Khouang).
In the south, light clothing is a must all year long except in Paksong (Salavan Province).
We also recommend you bring along mosquito - repellent and high factor sun - block, a cap or a hat, sunglasses, a raincoat and a small bag to carry a few things in case you have to leave your big suitcases at the hotel for a few days. A torch lamp may be useful depending on your itinerary. So you should pay attention in wearing (avoid short and bare shoulder cloths) when you visit temples or pagodas and choose shoes or sandals easy to walk (without laces).

Tags: Travel Laos, Lao Tours, Laos Hotels, Laos Travel Guide