On arrival at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, taxis are available to take you into town. The airport is about ten minutes from the town center and though some taxis have no meters, there is a price list posted at the airport lounge for your guidance.
Travel by Air
Travel by air is the most convenient means of transportation within Laos. Lao Aviation offers multiple flights from Vientiane to the following provincial capitals: Luang Prabang (daily), Savannakhet (daily), Luang Namtha (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun), Xieng Khouang (daily), Pakse (daily), Oudomxai (Tu, Th, Sat, Sun), Xayyabuli (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun), Houixay (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat), Thakhek (Fri), and Saravane (via Savannakhet, Sun. only).
The latest information about flight schedules and routes can be found at the Lao Aviation Head Office:
02 Pangkham Street, P.O. Box 6441
Tel : ( 856- 21 ) 212057
Fax : ( 856 21 ) 212065
Ticket and Reservation
Tel : ( 856 – 21 ) 212051-54
Fax : ( 856 – 21 ) 212056
Airport Office
Tel : ( 856-21 ) 512028 ( International Airport )
Tel: ( 856-21 ) 512 000, 512 004 ( Domestic Airport )
Tel ( 856 -30 ) 5256921
Travel by Road
Lao PDR has 13100 km of road network, excluding forest and mining roads, consisting of national, provincial and local roads. The 3390 km of national roads link major towns, provincial capitals and provide connections to neighbouring countries. 1620 km of them are paved. The rest are mostly earth-surfaced, connecting towns and large villages within provinces. The backbone of the road system is the National Road No. 13, 1370 km long, linking Pak Mong in the North with Khong in the South, passing through major urban areas of Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Savannakhet and Champasack. National Road No. 9 leads to the Vietnamese border.
Travel by Boat
The Mekong River is the longest and most important water route, flowing through 2030 km of Laos, providing a natural means of transportation. However, its navigability is limited to 1330 km, mainly because of rapids between Savannakhet and Pakse, the Khong Falls, and low water levels during the dry season.
In addition many tributary rivers of the Mekong river such as the Nam Ou, Nam Ngum, Se Don, and others rivers are used for water transportation.
Emergency Contacts
In Vientiane province, the police can be reached at the emergency number 212520 (Immigration Office) or 212248, 212251, 212769 (National Tourism Authority of Lao P.D.R.).
Chanthabouri District: 21-3907-8
Xayasettha District: 41-2455
Sikhottabong District: 21-2712
Sisatanak District: 41-2538.
International Phone
Most hotels in Vientiane offer international phone services. Otherwise travelers can make international calls at the central telephone office on Setthathirat Road near Nam Phu circle. The office is open from 8 AM till 10 PM every day. Fax and telex services are also available.
When calling Laos from overseas, the country code is 856. In Thailand, where calls to Laos are rated as local ones, the international access code is 007. Country Code is 856.
Health: Medical and dental facilities are mostly operated by the government. Private clinics and pharmacies are available in the major cities. The International Clinic is operated under the supervision of the Ministry of Health, to accommodate foreigners and diplomats. Medicines from France, USA, Russia, Thailand and China are widely available in most pharmacies.
In case of a medical emergency the following institutions may be able to assist. They all operate up-to-date medical clinics.
International Medical clinic
Fa Ngum Road (next to Mahosot Hospital)
Tel: 214018, 214022, 214025
Sethathilath Hospital
Nongbone Road
Tel: 412783
Friendship Hospital (150 beds)
Pholthong Road
Tel: 413302, 413303-6
Australian Embassy Clinic
J. Nehro St. (near the Australian Embassy)
Tel: 020 511061, 020 511462, 413603
Swedish Clinic
Sok Pa Luang Road (Close to the Swedish Embassy)
Tel: 315015