Wattay is 3 km from central Vientiane and Luang Prabang's airport 5 km from the old town. A Loca ride costs around 100,000 LAK from either; Vientiane's Airport Line bus is 40,000 LAK, and tuk-tuks wait beyond the airport gate.
- Wattay is only 3 km from central Vientiane - a Loca ride is around 100,000 LAK and takes 10 to 15 minutes.
- The official prepaid taxi desk is in the arrivals hall, with fares fixed by city zone at 100,000 to 150,000 LAK.
- Vientiane's Airport Line bus is 40,000 LAK to the Talat Sao central bus station, running 07:30 to 21:30 with the flight schedule.
- In Luang Prabang the airport desk quotes 320,000 LAK for a private car or 100,000 LAK per person in a shared minivan, 15 to 20 minutes into the centre.
- Tuk-tuks wait beyond the airport gate, about 100 metres past the exit, at a standard asking price of 100,000 LAK. Arrange transport only at the desk or in the app.
Wattay Airport (Vientiane)
Wattay International Airport (VTE) is about 3 km west of central Vientiane.
- Ride-hailing (Loca app) - the most efficient way in. Pick-up is directly outside the departures or arrivals hall, roughly 100,000 LAK for a standard car, 10 to 15 minutes.
- Official airport taxi - the prepaid desk is in the arrivals hall by the terminal exit. Fares into the centre are fixed by city zone, 100,000 to 150,000 LAK.
- Airport Line Bus - the official bus links Wattay with the Talat Sao central bus station, stopping at selected hotels in the centre. 40,000 LAK per person, 07:30 to 21:30 in line with the flight schedule.
- What to watch out for - unofficial drivers who approach you outside the terminal charge heavily inflated fares in THB or USD. Arrange transport only at the marked desk or through the Loca app.
Luang Prabang Airport
Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ) is about 5 km north-east of the historic centre.
- Ride-hailing (Loca app) - the best-value private transport, from 100,000 LAK per car into the historic centre.
- Official taxi / minivan desk - the counter in the arrivals hall offers guaranteed rates: a private car at 320,000 LAK, or a shared airport minivan at 100,000 LAK per person. 15 to 20 minutes into the centre.
- Tuk-tuk - drivers wait outside the fenced airport grounds, about 100 metres' walk beyond the exit gate. Fares are negotiated, with a standard asking price of 100,000 LAK per trip into the centre.
Which option suits which traveller
- Solo traveller - in Vientiane, the Airport Line bus (40,000 LAK); in Luang Prabang, the shared minivan from the airport desk or a Loca ride (100,000 LAK).
- Family with children - a Loca booking in the SUV category, or the official airport taxi desk, dropping you at your hotel door.
- Night arrival after 21:00 - the prepaid taxi desk in the terminal, or a hotel transfer arranged in advance.
- Budget - in Vientiane, the bus (40,000 LAK); in Luang Prabang, walk out to the main road beyond the airport gate and share a tuk-tuk with other travellers.
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