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Getting to Luang Prabang

Getting to Luang Prabang is not easy or cheap.  The easiest way to is to fly direct via: Bangkok (on Bangkok Airways, a regional boutique airline, Thai Airlines, or Lao Airlines - cost is around $275-350); Chiang Mai (on Thai Air); Siem Riep  in Cambodia (with Siem Riep Airlines); or Hanoi on Vietnam Airlines or Laos Airlines (there is a co-share with Lao Airlines and Vietnam Airlines so you may not know until you board which airline you're actually on. Price is about $315).  If you decide to go to Vientiane first, you also fly on Lao Airlines (the only option), but will have more choices of flights into Laos.

From Vientiane you can also take a boat up the Mekong (increasingly popular but takes longer), or go overland by bus or car.  This can be very scenic, and would allow you to stop at Vang Vieng, a small but growing town along the Mekong with rafting and rock climbing. There was an incident of foreigners attacked several years ago on the road up to Luang Prabang so check out any travel warning before choosing domestic travel options.

The Frommers website has some useful contact info and additional travel details.


Getting around Luang Prabang

One of the best parts of enjoying Luang Prabang is that most things in town are within easy walking distance.  Most of the hotels and guesthouses we recommend are located in the old section of town, the UNESCO World Heritage Site area.  Unless you stay at some of the larger resorts outside of town, you'll rarely need more than a pair of shoes.  However, if you want to explore the beautiful valley a bit, then there are several options. 

You can rent bicycles fairly cheaply. One speeds are fine if you are staying within town, and rent for about 20,000 to 50,000 kip per day.  Mountain bikes are available, and are recommended if you are going outside of town (where the roads quickly turn to dirt).  They run 50,000 to 80,000 per day.

Tuk Tuks are very common around town, and fine for short trips.  Most trips within town or not far from town will range from 10,000 to 50,000 kip.

Taxis are available as well, and are generally not expensive, and jeeps can be rented for more adventurous travel. 

And of course boats are available to go up or down the Mekong - ranging from simple fishing boats for just crossing the river to see the wats on the other bank, to speedboats and long boats for ferrying tourists upriver to the nearby caves (a ride on a long tail boat can be fun, but the caves visit is overrated in our opinion).

Price point reference:  As of April 2009, one US dollar = approx 8500Kip.