Righto, I've read enough about this trip on TT to put me off in a major way (via Sam Neua - where we'd travel to before hitting the border as I'm not keen on a 24hr+ bus ride.) I've looked online at Vietnam Air and Laos Air prices for this route and while at about $150 it's not cheap, I'm considering doing it anyway. But you can't book either online! So I stopped in at a few travel agents in Thailand to see what they'd charge and of course the cost just creeps up. Can anyone tell me if they've had any experience buying this ticket in Laos, and at what price?
1
mrnicky
Re Lao Airlines
It is a bit prehistoric, but you can kinda book online but it envoles paying half on your card via fax and half in cash to Lao Airline.
I have flown Lao airlines from 3 countries, once booking online, twice paying and agent.
When i used an agent 1 was the same as the net the other was 2usd cheaper.
I have tried Vietnam Air.
The bus is tuff so it is money worth spending to fly.
Nic
2
veedub72
Thanks for that - I'm thinking the same! Can you remember roughly what you paid with Laos Airlines for your tickets? Do you think it would be cheaper to wait till we get to Vientiene or do it here in Thailand? Sorry to sound so daft......
4
mrnicky
Well, you can go direct to the office in Vientiane and book and pay.
Ironically, when you book online, the half you fax on cc is faxed to bangkok.
Just check the days of the flights as on some routes they only fly on certain days
5
just_bob
Where are you now? If you're passing through Chiang Mai, Laos Airlines has an office at 2/107 Rajchapuak, Huaykew Road. If you buy from a travel agency, expect to pay a bit extra for their commission.
6
dayhoang
Last November I flew Luang Prabang to Ha Noi on Lao Airlines, buying the ticket at the Lao Airlines office in LP. If memory serves, the price was 95 USD (departure tax extra).
7
henningwessel
If you're passing through Vientiane on your way to LP buy it at the Lao Air office there.
8
veedub72
Thanks heaps for that guys, $95 US is much cheaper than what I was quoted at a travel agent. Is there much to see/do by taking the slow road northeast from Luang Prabang to the Vietnam border and crossing overland? Apart from the $$$, am I going to miss much in the way of sights on the ground? I have the LP SEA on a Shoestring book and it doesn't really mention much outside of Sam Neua up that way.
9
henningwessel
The border going up from Muang Khua and crossing over to Dien Bien Phu just opened on 1st May (or 1st April), so if you cross up there you'll be quite a pioneer! That could be one of the reasons LP doesn't have much info on the northeast of Laos except for Hat Sa /Phongsali and how to get there. Get the Vietnamese visa at the embassy in Vientiane or from a travel agent in LP. Have heard it's possible to get one from the Vietnam Airlines counter at the airport in LP when there's a flight going out and it's manned.
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