Vientiane: Getting there & around

Departures from Vientiane are perfectly straightforward. The Domestic Terminal is in the older, white building east of the impressive International Terminal.

Passenger boat services between Vientiane and Luang Prabang have almost dried up as most people now take the bus, which is faster and cheaper.

Occasional six-passenger héua wái (speedboats) run to Pak Lai or even Luang Prabang if there are enough passengers. Speedboats leave from Tha Heua Kao Liaw (Kao Liaw Boat Landing), which is 7.7km (4.8mi) west of the Novotel.

Buses use three different stations in Vientiane. However, it's the new Northern Bus Station (tel: 260 255; Th T2) where you're most likely to enter and leave the capital.

Wattay International Airport is about 4km (2.5mi) northwest of the city centre. Jumbos and tuk-tuks (motorised 3-wheeled taxis) loiter at the airport gate and are cheaper than conventional taxis, which charge a fairly steep flat rate set by the government.

Central Vientiane is entirely accessible on foot. For exploring neighbouring districts, however, you'll need transport.

Besides walking, bicycle is the most convenient and economical way to get around the city. Several guesthouses hire out bikes on a regular basis.

The city bus system is not oriented towards the central Chanthabuli district, but to outlying districts north. Most buses leave from Talat Sao bus station.

Small motorbikes are a popular means of getting around Vientiane and can be hired from several places.

Drivers of jumbos, which are three-wheeled taxis not dissimilar to tuk-tuks, will be glad to take passengers on journeys as short as 500m or as far as 20km. Bargaining is mandatory. Share-jumbos that run regular routes around town are the cheapest.