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.

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My husband and I are planning a 3 week… Alisa was a great listener to all the things we wanted to incorporate into our trip. We discussed everything throughly, and when I had questions, she had answers the next day. I really appreciate her responsiveness and detail with me. I feel like we are in the best hands with Alisa and Asia Highlights. More , Mar 2024

Very great experience our driver D was… Very great experience our driver D was never late and always had waters and a cold towel for us and our tour guide Som was very informative and had amazing English I recommend them both highly for anyone else traveling More Rylan Coache, Feb 2024

Excellent guide in Siem Reap Our recent time spent in Siem Reap was made even more memorable by our expert guide, Som Piseth. Som was knowledgeable, attentive, flexible and super helpful - we learnt so much about Siem Reap and Cambodia in our 3 days with him. His English was excellent and his knowledge of, and pride in, his country was outstanding. We would highly recommend Som for anyone wanting an excellent guide in Siem Reap! More Sharon Townshend, Feb 2024

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

Visit Laos with Asia Highlights

Asia Highlights is committed to responsible travel. We cooperate with local guides to let our clients have a genuine and unique experience in the location of their choice. We know how precious your time is, so we are here to answer all your questions and to help your travel dreams become a reality.

Take a look at our tours below, during which we show you as many hidden-gems as we can, while giving you a personalized travel experience.