3 Days in Laos – Day 1
Not many people are aware of Laos as a country – many do not even know the name. I was surprised to look at pictures of few of its places over the Internet, and did not waste much time deciding to visit this beautiful less touristy country. I had only 3 days to explore the country and I have planned to make the best of it – hope you enjoy reading it!
Highlights of the Day
- Visa Stamping at Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, Nong Khai
- Bus from Vientiane to Luang Prabang
- Check in at Mekong Holiday Villa
- Luang Prabang Night Market
Why Laos?
November to March is the dry and cool season of Laos. It is high season because it is the best time to visit the country.
I have seen many of my travel-buddies from the West, who like to extend their stay in Thailand, go to Laos for visa-run. Soon I learnt about a UNESCO World Heritage City called Luang Prabang. It is located in northern part of Laos. The pictures I found online are so cool – I just decided to go there. One of my friends, Kanchi, recently teaching in a school at Sukhothai, Thailand also decided to join me.
Immigration at Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge
It is the first Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge among other border crossing bridges between the two countries.
We took the overnight bus from Phitsanulok, where I live right now in Thailand, to Nong Khai, near the Laos border on the Thailand side. We reached Nong Khai bus station at around 7 AM. A tuk-tuk from there took us to the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge for 50 ฿ each.
The border is open from 6 AM to 10 PMÂ daily, while the immigration office timing is from 8 AM to 4 PM on weekdays only. So you have to pay an an overtime fee of $1 if you cross beyond office hours or anytime on Saturday and Sunday.
Once our passports were stamped out of Thailand at the immigration office, Nong Khai, we took a shuttle bus for 20 ฿ each. It crossed the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge and took us to the immigration at Laos. The visa cost us 1700 ฿ each. We received our Laos visa-on-arrival that will allow us to stay in the country for 30 days.
 It is always better to change your money in the local currency. This makes you save a lot of overall expenses, because you will always be charged a mediocre rate to convert to your home currency.
Laotian Kip (â‚) is the currency of Laos, but Thai Baht (฿) and United States Dollar ($) is widely acceptable in Laos. However, I changed the Thai Baht I was carrying into enough local currency. There are many exchange booths in the border where you can easily change your currency into Laotian Kip.
Bus from Vientiane to Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang can be reached by air from many Southeast Asian cities and also by boat from Vientiane. But we wanted to save money and decided to do the bus, which is a 10-h journey.
We did not find any online ticket agency for bus tickets. The only way is to contact a local agency or your hotel reception at Vientiane. We arrived at Vientiane on the same day when we wish to travel to Luang Prabang. We took the risk to go to northern bus terminal of Vientiane and check for tickets on spot.
After getting Laos visa, we first went to the central bus station of Vientiane, called Khua Din bus station, by taking the frequent green and white air-conditioned bus #14. You will find this bus waiting just a few meters outside the Laos border office. It took almost 45 min to reach the bus station. From there, we took another bus to the northern bus terminal that was another 20-min journey from there.
It was already past 9 AM and the day bus to Luang Prabang has already left. There was another bus that was going to Bokeo via Luang Prabang – it was a sleeper bus though.
We were given plastic bags and asked to put our shoes inside those bags before getting inside the bus. It gave me a feeling of entering temple in India – funny, but that is a norm in the sleeper buses of Laos. The bus was almost empty, so I and my friend occupied two beds. As we were not given any dedicated seats, in fact, beds – we could sleep anywhere. The best part of the journey was the view from the bus.
We fell asleep soon, and in another few hours, the bus stopped. The bus attendant politely woke us up asking us to get down. Finally, we were at Luang Prabang bus station – it was 7.30 PM by watch.
Luang Prabang has two bus stations – we reached at the Southern Bus Station. There is another one called Northern Bus Station that connects places to the north of Luang prabang.
It is advisable to buy bus tickets in advance in case you have scheduled plan and many places to cover in few days.
At the bus station, we bought the return ticket from Luang Prabang to Vientiane for tomorrow night. We were asked to come to the bus station at 8 PM to do check in half and hour early. The bus was supposed to depart at 8.30 PM.
Mekong Holiday Villa, Luang Prabang
A shared tuk-tuk from the bus station charged us 15,000Â â‚ per person to drop us at the hotel.
I had booked a riverview room for 2 in the riverfront hotel by Xandria group of hotels, Luang Prabang – Mekong Holiday Villa. It is just 3 km from Luang Prabang International Airport and a 10-min drive from the Luang Prabang Bus Stand.
The villa features traditional Lao designs, wooden flooring and teak wood furnishings. It also features a tour desk and a 24-hour reception. It also has a restaurant called ChocoTILDA Terrace and Bar overlooking the bar. I loved the villa, especially our room – it was cute, cosy, and comfortable.
Luang Prabang Night Market
The night market opens at 5 PM and closes at around 10 PM.
The night market is located at Sisavangvong Road, which is only 2 min away from Mekong Holiday Villa. It is a market you must not miss if you are looking for souvenirs and good food, of course. You get to come across an extensive variety of handicrafts made by local ethnic groups.
Not only great dinner, but we also found a lot of other interesting things in the market – there were different types of textiles, antiques, paintings, exquisite ceramics, coffee and tea, quilts, silver, shoes, bags, bamboo lamps of different shades and sizes, and even rare spices. It is difficult to find things like these in other markets and moreover, it is cheaper here, plus you can also bargain.
We took a long stroll from one end of the market to the other and bought few things as well – magnets for 15,000 â‚ and 2 packets of Laos tea for 10,000 â‚; tired, we walked back to our hotel from the market looking forward to a great sleep in our villa.
NET EXPENSE FOR 1 PERSON (IN LAK)
Let us have a look at the expenses of Day 1 in Laos – Luang Prabang.
- Visa to Laos: 430,000
- Border to Luang Prabang: 150,000
- Hotel in Luang Prabang for twin sharing (for 1 night): 200,000
- Getting around: 30,000
- Food: 30,000
- Miscellaneous: 25,000
Total expense (roughly):Â 865,000 LAK
For an overall idea of itinerary and expense of the trip, whether for solo or couple or group of any number of people, feel free to contact me on Contact Us page. You can also have a look at 3 Days in Laos – Itinerary and Expenses.
If you are planning for a much-organized, tastefully-curated, stress-free yet exciting vacation, consider booking your holidays at Travel Love Repeat. It is going to be a treat for sure!
Where I live in Minnesota has a large Laotian population, a few of whom I count as friends, so reading more about this city in Laos was really interesting! They are hard-working, lovely people. I really think I need more night markets in my life. They look fun! I too loved the cards…
Wow, I didn’t know about this.
I have never seen a bus with beds. That is really cool and a unique way to travel. The night market looks pretty cool. The cards are very nice and I like that they hand make them. The food looks very inviting as well at the market. Sign us up for Laos.
Oh yes, if you are planning to come down to Laos, leave me a message.
You are right. I went to Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam and didn’t even consider Laos but now I wish I had. It looks incredibly beautiful and I’d love to see it. It’s funny they gave you bags to put on your feet on the bus – I’ve never seen that before. And I’d love to visit that night market and try all the different foods!
Laos is highly underrated. It is a hidden gem in Southeast Asia.
First time that I see beds on a bus. I t must have been an incredible experience! And I love the lush landscape there!
Yes, the road and the bus both were very cool!
I would;ve also loved to take the bus from Vientiane to Luang Prabang not only because its cheap but also because it looks so comfortable with the beds, reminds me of the bus I used to take from Mumbai to Goa in terms of the duration of the journey, the sleeping arrangement and the views also! Such lovely views, good choice to take the day journey. I haven’t been to Laos as yet but it’s on my list. I love reading about the experiences, it helps me plan my itinerary.
Thanks so much Medha for appreciating my hard efforts.
Laos is way up high on my list – and your post made it even ‘worse’. I always focused on Vientiane, but now you’ve made Vang Vieng look so alluring – well, I think I have to see for myself….
Oh yes, you cannot miss Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang too.
I’ve not yet been to Laos, so loved reading this! Your villa accommodation looks wonderful, and authentic Laotian design too. As a fan of night markets, I’d probably head there first, (at night of course), to sample everything on offer. That dessert looks different!
Laos is killing! You must visit this beautiful country.
The trains, they almost look like ones in Russia. Many people are jammed together 🙂 I was traveling with those, when was a student with no money. Have good memories.
But these are buses, not trains.
I love cool souvenirs and good food so I will definitely check out the night market if I ever find myself on that part of the world!
Come here, soon!
I have never seen a bus with beds! What a brilliant idea especially on long bus rides. I must say I have not given Laos a lot of thought but after looking at your post I think I will look into is some more!
I know, it’s a cool idea. But I love the sleeper buses more in India. They are just too luxurious.
WOW! What a journey. I’ve not seen a bus with beds before but I would love this. Actually have a sleeper train on my list of things to do so I must add the bus too! That view looks amazing from that bed… you’d pay a fortune for that if it was a hotel.
True that. Go for an overnight bus and proceed your journey instead of spending bucks in a hotel.
I LOVE a night market! They are so fun and lively! Those cards are exquisite. I have never seen bees on a bus before but they make a ton of sense! WAY better than trying to sleep sitting.
I love Southeast Asian night markets.
This food in the pictures looks very tasty. I would like to try the specialties of the local cuisine.
You must. They are so delicious.