Travel Guide and Transport Info for Luang Prabang, Laos by Hobo Maps -

So much travel info about Luang Prabang is available from other sources that we are only including transportation info on this web page. There is no need to make a reservation for the Express slow boats or the Speedboats, just show up 30 minutes before departure time. Unless it's a very busy holiday time there is also no need to make advance booking or payment for the regular big buses as they can add more buses or put some passengers in aisle seats if necessary. There are usually many other buses coming thru Luang Prabang from other places and private tourist buses that will stop at the bus stations and try to scoop up a few more passengers. Airline schedules are shown near the end of this web page, below the bus and boat transport info. The Provincial Tourism info office is located at grid code JD200 on this map HERE and has good transport info but is only open Monday - Friday 08:30 to 11:30 & 13:30 to 16:00 !! Life seems good for govt. workers in Laos.

The boat schedule below is still the same Feb. 2012 when we last checked

the slow boat schedule below has some of the same info as the tourist office one above but is from the boat landing itself and shows lower prices for Lao people

Southern Bus Station info below still the same Jan. 2012

Naluang Bus Station info below still the same Jan. 2012 (also called the Tourist Bus Station)

Chiang Mai Direct Bus

As of Jan. 2012 there is a new second class bus that runs from Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal once a day and makes a stop in Chiang Rai before crossing the border to Huay Xay and on to Luang Namtha, Oudomxay and Luang Prabang. It arrives at the Tourist BusTerminal in Luang Prabang across the street from the Southern Bus Station. The ride takes about 18 hours, and the fare is 1,200 Baht. The bus starts at 9 am, there is a bus change at the bordier when crossing the Mekong. The return trip bus starts from Luang Prabang at 17:00 daily and costs 320,000 kip. This same route is currently covered by other buses so the Chiang Mai direct bus isn't a big change, it's just easier to make connections.

Flight Info below

Luang Prabang airline terminal is located at grid code IU235 this map HERE

Airline Schedules for all of Laos are shown on a separate webpage HERE that includes the schedules shown below

Vietnam Airlines has flights from Luang Prabang to Hanoi & Siem Reap - www.vietnamairlines.com

Lao Airline departure schedules shown below as of Nov. 2011 and are basically the same as of Feb. 2012

- please contact the airlines or a travel agent directly for the latest info.

Bangkok Airways only flies out of Luang Prabang in Laos and all flights (other than those to Bangkok) are indirect with a change of planes in Bangkok

this isn't Vang Vieng !!