How to Plan a Luang Prabang Trip

Luang Prabang now reopens to travelers. From January 1st, 2022, travelers from US, UK, Germany, France, Canada, Australia, etc. can enter Laos without quarantine.

If you choose Luang Prabang (Laos) as the destination for your next holiday, you'll need to make some special travel plans before you go. The following guide may give you some inspiration and help you develop your plans.

Reasons to Visit

With 33 villages and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Luang Prabang is an undiscovered gem, perceived as the soul of Laotian culture. Although it costs more compared to trips in Thailand and Vietnam, the unique scenery and experience is worth the price.

Best Time to Go

The ideal season to visit is from November to February. Located in north central Laos, Luang Prabang is subject to a tropical monsoon climate with three distinct seasons, dry, hot, and wet. This may have a significant impact on your travel experience.

Dry Season (November-February)

This is the best all-round time to visit, with moderate temperatures and almost no rain. It's a great time for town tours, and also suitable for exploring the waterways of the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers, with ideal river-cruising conditions. Book accommodation in advance, for this is the peak tourist season.

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Hot Season (March-April)

Temperatures rise to the highest of the year and river levels drop to their annual lows. Travel during this season can be rather uncomfortable in the high temperatures. If you visit around mid-April, however, you're likely to experience the celebrations of Lao New Year, which include the traditional water-pouring.

Wet Season (May-October)

This is also known as the rainy season, with precipitation reaching its peak in August. Don't worry about the rain, as it mostly means afternoon downpours, with showers and blue skies the rest of time. Temperatures vary between 20℃and 30℉.

As it gets wetter, landscapes become emerald green and river levels gradually rise. This is a good time to see the dramatically cascading waterfalls of Kuang Si Falls and Tad Sae Falls; or to take a trip along the Mekong River to explore the Pak Ou Caves.

Stunning natural scenery, plenty of outdoor activities, fewer tourists and cheaper accommodation, actually make it a surprisingly good time to visit.

Continue to read Best Time to Visit Laos and Laos Monthly Weather .

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Currency and Budget

Most transactions are conducted in cash: Kip, US dollars or Thai baht. Although kip is the official currency of Laos, most of the population prefers foreigners to use US dollars or Thai baht. One should keep a supply of kip for making small purchases, as prices for small items are usually quoted in kip. Also reserve some US dollars for larger deals, such as accommodation and transportation.

Major credit cards are accepted: mostly in high-end hotels and restaurants with a service charge.

Most ATMs are reliable, with a limit on withdrawal and accessible in the town.

Money-changing is possible at most foreign exchange banks and offices in town. One US dollar is roughly equivalent to eight thousand kip. Use up your supply of kip or change it into US dollars at the Luang Prabang airport before departure, as it's not convertible outside.

Banking hours: 08:30-16:00 from Monday to Friday

Laos is way different from its neighbors, as its tourist facilities are still under development. A fixed travel budget consists of flight, hotel and day-trip costs. Mid-range costs are around US$200-C250 per day.

There are direct flights from Siem Reap, Hanoi, Bangkok and Chiang Mai into Luang Prabang at around $150-C200 per person. A 3-/4-star boutique hotel costs over $100 per room per night. A day trip with a private guide and driver costs about $100 per person. A basic Lao set menu costs about $10 per person.

Arriving

The easiest way to reach Luang Prabang is by air. Overland travel is less comfortable and takes a lot of time. Travel by boat is also possible, for river-trip enthusiasts.

By Air

Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ) is 4 kilometers north of the town, and you could take flights to/from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pakse, Hanoi, Siem Reap, Vientiane, Singapore, and several Chinese cities. Scoot offers flights from Singapore since 2019.

Most visitors reach Luang Prabang by direct flight from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Siem Reap or Hanoi, as there are no long-distance international flights. It's recommended to confirm your flight departure time before going to the airport, in case the flight is cancelled or delayed.

Laos Airlines is the national carrier and provides direct flights from the cities above.

Bangkok Airways provides direct flights from Bangkok.

Thai AirAsia provides seasonal cheap direct flights from Bangkok.

Vietnam Airlines provides direct flights from Hanoi.

The Luang Prabang International Airport has scheduled flights and offers a visa-on-arrival service. The journey from the airport into town is a painless drive by taxi or tuk-tuk, taking less than twenty minutes.

Overland

There are several international border checkpoints into Laos from neighboring countries and you can obtain your visa upon arrival at most border crossings.

It takes a long time, however, usually more than a day to drive into Laos and then head into Luang Prabang. Also, the road conditions are not so good and it can be quite bumpy.

By Boat

The most popular river trip is at the border-crossing area between Laos and northeast Thailand. If you travel by cruise or slow boat, it takes two days starting from Huay Xai and stopping at Pakbeng for the night. Travel by speed boat is much faster; the whole trip takes about six hours.

Consider a Private Driver for Regional Travel

Most tourists want to travel to Luang Prabang from regional destinations such as Vang Vieng that are reachable by road travel, and most ride a bus. We'd like to suggest that you try Asia Highlights for a private driver to travel regionally since it is safer, more comfortable, faster, and more convenient. You could visit places you want to go to that you can't go to on these regional buses.

The roads in the region tend to be bumpy and wind a lot, so a lot of people in cramped buses get hot and feel sick. Also, the buses make only infrequent rest stops. So going in a private car is much more comfortable and healthier too. It is also faster.

From Vang Vieng, Laos: The popular northern Laos destination is far from the nearest airport. In the best case scenario, a trip to/from Luang Prabang using a public bus takes 6 to 7 hours. The cost for an air-con bus ticket starts around 150,000 kip (18.00 USD). It is best to not make the trip on a full stomach because of the winding road. The bus station in Luang Prabang is about 4 kilometers away from the center, and a tuk tuk ride would cost more than 20,000 kip (2.40 USD). However, a private driver such as ours can take you there directly in less than 3 hours unless you want to make stops along the way.

From Vientiane: This is a winding uncomfortable ride that takes about 13 hours (200,000 kip, 24.00 USD) including an hour meal break. There is only one additional rest stop along the way, and there are no toilets on the seats-only buses. Once you get to your destination, you'll have to take local transport to where you want to go. Unless you are an experienced traveler in the area, that might be a trying experience, and there is a potential for scamming or crime issues. Going with us, we can get you there directly in about 5 hours. Or you can go wherever you'd like along the way, and we could take you to excellent, authentic local restaurants you'll enjoy. You'll avoid the food at the low-quality eating places at the stops.

From Hanoi, Vietnam: There is a tiring, uncomfortable 24-hour trip by direct bus for about 450,000 kip or 54.00 USD. A flight would take about 2 hours, not including waiting and boarding etc. There are extra visa requirements we can arrange for you. If you go by road with us, we'll take you on a two-day road tour to beautiful places you'll like along the way on a delightful trip going to places few tourists go to. A direct drive takes about 13 hours.

From Don Det, Laos (the Khong Phapheng Waterfall area): If you are taking a bus between Don Det and Luang Prabang, it takes 48 hours! Don Det is not close to the huge waterfall. We can turn this otherwise tiring and long trip into a safe two or three-day scenic road tour with stops at highlights along the way, delightful local cuisine experiences, and restful accommodations. Having a personal driver and expert tour guide is a great benefit.

Getting Around Luang Prabang

The town and nearby villages are easy to get around, by road or by boat. Other destinations within Laos can be reached by domestic flights.

By Road

It's easy to get around simply by foot, bicycle, tuk-tuk or car. Walking around is a good way to experience the old-town charm. Bicycles are available for rent at many shops around the town.

Tuk-tuks are suitable for short-distance sightseeing and are widely used in daily transportation. Visiting by car is much more convenient when exploring the villages around and transferring from one hotel to another. Although, however, the road system has improved a lot in recent years, some roads are still in poor condition.

By Boat

Luang Prabang has navigable waterways on the Mekong River and its tributaries. We organize a boat ride to Tad Sae Waterfall for a swim, after finishing with the Elephant Village experience. Alternatively, a two-hour journey drifting along the scenic Mekong and Nam Ou rivers, to see Pak Ou Caves and Whisky Village, makes a good day out. The above constitute two different day-tours.

Meanwhile, there are cruise companies which offer long-distance river trips between the Golden Triangle area, Luang Prabang and Vientiane. The common route is: Golden Triangle-Huay Xay-Pakbeng-Pak Ou-Luang Prabang-Kuang Si-Vientiane.

By Air

Lao Airlines offers flights between domestic destinations. If you want to extend your trip to other Lao cities such as Vientiane, it's a good idea to book in advance and check your reservation around the time of departure.

Accommodation

Luang Prabang has the best selection of hotels in Laos, with distinctive residences, boutiques and villas. The price of tourism during the high season from November to February is much higher than during the low season, with more hotels booked-out. A standard room in a 3-/4-star boutique hotel costs about $100-$150 per room per night, while a 5-star hotel costs more than $200 per room per night. These are high-season prices.

Our handpicked hotels are in great locations with a nice view, and only a 5-minute walk from nearby attractions. The hotels are exquisitely decorated, with basic facilities and good service. The hotel we recommend most is the Belle Rive Boutique Hotel, the Travelers' Choice 2016 on TripAdvisor.

How Long to Stay and Where to Visit

For a first-time visit to Luang Prabang, a 3-day tour will suffice to see the main attractions downtown and in nearby villages. A day tour with a private guide and a driver normally costs $100 per person per day. The guides are well-trained and provide professional service.

The first day begins with a relaxing walk in the downtown area to see the morning almsgiving ceremony and the markets, before exploring three well-known local sites. The second day will include an excursion to the villages, to discover their natural beauty. We organize a close encounter with elephants, before a boat trip to the waterfall. The third day is free time for you to stroll around before departure.

Know Before You Go

Comprehensive travel insurance is highly recommended. Asia Highlights does everything possible to provide a delightful and safe trip. However, travel inevitably involves some risks. Please ensure your insurance covers all activities planned on your trip, as some policies specifically exclude activities such as motorcycling and trekking.

Knowing that Laos has relatively poor sanitation with limited medical facilities and services will help you weigh up any possible impact on your own health. Take a full supply of prescribed medicine if you have any medical condition or allergy. Consult your doctor for suggestions on vaccinations and medical care before travel.

Etiquette should be observed: dress properly and keep your shoulders and knees covered when visiting temples; never point your finger at anyone or touch anyone's head, as doing so is perceived as offensive; remove your shoes and hat before entering a temple or house. There are some other local courtesies which your guide will explain to you when necessary.

Entry requirement: People of most nationalities require a visa to enter Laos.

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