Laos Airports
They’re not in the same league as Heathrow or JFK but Laos’s airports have no need to be behemoths. Still, they’re functional, clean and professional and unlike larger destinations, are close to the city centre which means less travelling time and more downtime.
Luang Prabang International Airport
Gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Luang Prabang, the city’s international airport is located just 4 kilometers from the centre of town. Currently the airport is only able to accommodate smaller aircraft but after a runway extension programme started in 2011 is completed in 2013 the airstrip will be appropriate for larger aircraft.
The terminal building is rather old looking and somewhat run-down but it is reported to be one of the friendliest airports in the world and the facilities are limited but adequate as it is unlikely you will be spending too much time on stop-over in Luang Prabang.
The airport hosts regular scheduled flights for Bangkok Airways, Lao Airlines and Vietnam Airlines.
Arrival: Arriving in Luang Prabang you disembark right onto the tarmac and walk straight into the customs clearance area. If you need to apply for a visa-on-arrival head to the signed desk, submit your application form (which you can download prior to travel), your passport, two passport photos and US$20-45 depending on your nationality. US, UK and European nationals are charged US$35.00 while people from Canada are charged US$42.00. Swedes pay US$31.00 and Australians can purchase the visa for US$30.00.
This must be paid in US dollars or Thai baht. The visa is good for 30 days. The application will only take a few minutes then you should go through passport control. The baggage claim area is just through passport control. There is only one luggage belt so you may have to wait a while for your baggage to come through. Be sure to have the baggage stub you received at check in to give the attendant before you can exit.
Once you exit the arrivals gate you’ll find yourself in a car park and you’ll see a currency exchange on your right. Please note that only major currencies and Thai baht are accepted here. You will also find a host of taxis and touts offering you a ride into town.
Departure: The departure procedure here is a little different from most airports. You will have to pass a security clearance when entering the airport before you find your check in desk. After checking in, you wait in the waiting area for your gate to open. When the gate opens you go through immigration passport control and enter another waiting area. From here you get a nice view of the planes and the runway.
Transport Options (how to get to your hotel): When you exit the arrivals gate you will enter a car park where a hive of people are waiting to provide hotel pick ups and plenty of taxis await. The standard taxi fare into the city is US$5.00 and it is only a 20 to 30-minute journey.
Pakse International Airport
Pakse is one of the largest towns in Laos and a major transportation hub for southern quarters of the country. Once the capital of southern Laos you should fly into Pakse International Airport to reach the scenic Bolaven Plateau or Si Phan Don. In 2010 the airport was closed for major construction works and reopened later that year to once again receive scheduled flights from Vientiane, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap.
Arrival: At Pakse airport, you can obtain a tourist visa-on-arrival for 28 days. To do so submit your application form (which you can download prior to travel), your passport, two passport photos and US$20-45 depending on your nationality. US, UK and European nationals are charged US$35.00 while people from Canada are charged US$42.00. Swedes pay US$31.00 and Australians can purchase the visa for US$30.00. This must be paid in US dollars or Thai baht. The application will only take a few minutes then you should proceed through passport control before claiming your baggage and heading out into the arrivals hall.
Departure: There is a security checkpoint upon arrival at the airport. Check in desks are immediately ahead. After checking in proceed through to the passport control area, one more security checkpoint then into the departures waiting lounge.
Transport Options (how to get to your hotel): Most of the guesthouses in Pakse are located within 3 kilometers from the airport and the main downtown area is just 2 kilometers away. Tuk-tuks and motorcycle taxis can ferry you into town or to your accommodations for between US$1.00-3.00.
Wattay Airport (Vientiane)
Wattay International Airport is located just 3km from the country’s capital city Vientiane. A single terminal building houses arrivals and departures for domestic flights and a new terminal building services international flights. At one end of the terminal is a military installation which is off-limits to everyday passengers. The terminals have been upgraded in recent years to provide more comfortable facilities and more services for travellers.
Wattay International Airport services regular scheduled flights for Lao Airlines, Thai Airways International, Air Asia, China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, and Vietnam Airlines.
Arrival: When you land in Vientiane you should head straight for the passport control desks inside the terminal building. If you need to apply for a visa-on-arrival head to the signed desk, submit your application form (which you can download prior to travel), your passport, two passport photos and US$20-45 depending on your nationality. US, UK and European nationals are charged US$35.00 while people from Canada are charged US$42.00. Swedes pay US$31.00 and Australians can purchase the visa for US$30.00. This must be paid in US dollars or Thai baht. The visa is good for 30 days. The application will only take a few minutes then you should go through passport control before claiming your baggage and heading out into the arrivals hall. Here you will find an ATM and a currency exchange booth which may or may not be open depending on the time of your arrival.
Departure: A US$10.00 departure tax is now included in the ticket price so after checking in to your flight proceed to the security checkpoint at the entrance to the departures lounge. Passport control is the next step after which you will enter the small but comfortable departures lounge.
Airport Transfer: Jumbos do one way airport transfers for around $10USD; you can also purchase a taxi coupon from inside the terminal building for an alternative and economical route into the city. Tuk-tuks will also take you to and from the airport if you are happy to pay an overinflated price. The local bus is the cheapest option but you will need to walk about 500 metres at the other end. Most hotels will also be able to pick you up from the airport by advance arrangement. For transportation back from your hotel to the airport you may need to negotiate a fee with a taxi or tuk-tuk driver.
