I am going to Cambodia for a while but want to spend a week in Laos as I have never been. It's been suggested to me to do V-VV-LP but I hear the Lao do things on their own time and I have to be back in Phnom Penh. Is road transport between these areas reliable or should I spend the money and fly?
Is there a better way to spend a week?
Thanks for your help.
Bus(es) from Phnom Penh to Vientiane could take about 30 hours to get there, not so much as the roads etc, it's just a long way, so maybe fly that leg. Once in Loas, sure buses do (will) break down, but usually they can be fixed with fencing wire and a hammer, but that is the charm of Laos. But a week in Loas is rushed, but if you have the money, a flight to Luang Prabang could be worth it. Even without breakdowns, a bus from LP to VV could be 7 hours, so no quick road travel between centres in Laos.
that's a LONG ways.
If you on the cheap
Better bus to Bangkok, overnight train to Nong Khia than cross the border,
Bus from Vientiane to Vang Vieng is about 4-6 hours I i drove that in July) and another 4-5 to Lunag Prabang
Or fly part of the way or all the way PP-Vientiane an than busto LP than fly back to PP from Luang Prabang
Sorry I wasn't clear. I was just asking about the Lao portion. I'm planning on flying PP-V and LP-SR so I'm just concerned with getting between Vientiane and Luang Prabang by road.
Or if anyone things there is something better to do with a wee I'm open.
For me its not the best area to spend a week. The problem for you is getting from PP and back which is a long way. MAybe you could go to 4,000 islands and Bolaven plateau instead and thats much nearer PP, just across the Cambodian border.
Phonsvan ( plain of Jars ) 3-4 hours from VV or Luang Prabang
Problem is u need drive in and out on the same road ( hwy 7)
If you have a full week then yes V(2 days)-VV (2 days)-LP(3 days) is doable. Yes buses can be slow and occasionally have breakdowns, but if you leave early you're more or less assured to reach your destination same day, if not on time. So if they're saying V-VV in three hours, maybe allow for a couple extra, and so on.
Phonsavan is more than 4 hours, more like 6 hours by bus if lucky, took 12 hours from Vientianne on our bus.
i drove it in July
4 hours from LP
and then 3 1/2 to VV
NO idea about bus's I dont take them
The Vientiane-VV-LP route is the most trodden in Laos but is still well worth it if you have never been there, and a week is enough to have a look. There are many buses every day doing this route, so if you are flying into Vientiane, and flying back from LP you wont spend long in a bus.
Vientiane - VV is 3.5 to 4 hours. If you leave Vientiane at about 6pm you won't waste any daylight time.
VV-LP is 6 hours on a good day, 8 is average.