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During
travel in Laos, you can use :
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Bus
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Taking a bus in Laos
is an experience not to be missed. Expect to share this form of
public
transport not only with Laotians, but also what they are taking and
bringing to
market - that means all kinds of vegetable produce, and live animals as
well. Every time a bus stops, children will board with all kinds
of
interesting things to eat - not the kind of food that you would expect
to find
on restaurant menus! |
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Buses travel between all
major towns and cities - the type of bus may
vary between a converted pickup truck, a flat bed truck with benches or
a more
modern traditional bus, Fares are always reasonable - but times
of
departure and traveling times will vary a lot. Be patient, and
allow
plenty of time when traveling by bus. Please note that the prices
below
may change without notice |
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Cars - Taxis
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Vientiane has a
number of rather old taxis. They can be found at Wattay Airport,
the Friendship
Bridge
and at the Morning Market. Taxi drivers will be quite happy to
let you
charter their cars for the day. Fares will vary, but the cost
from the
Bridge to Vientiane, and from the city
centre to Wattay
Airport
is fairly standard. Your hotel
can arrange a taxi for you - but this will usually be more expensive
than
hiring one yourself |
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There are also a few
metered cabs in Vientiane
- they are not so cheap, but at
least the fare is regulated |
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Example of current costs : |
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Friendship Bridge - Vientiane
$US 5.00 |
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Vientiane Centre
- Wattay
Airport
$US 4.00 |
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A taxi can usually be
rented for about $20 a day |
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Cars – Rentals |
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Laos has no
established car rental business as found in most tourist
destinations.
Cars, more specifically, quality 4x4s can be rented, usually with a
driver,
from a few companies in Vientiane |
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Asia Vehicle Rentals
Co., Ltd |
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A joint Lao-Western
venture can help you with your car and other
vehicle rental needs |
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Public Transport -
Tuk Tuks
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you will find modified motorcycles that plough the streets looking for
fares,
or waiting at bus stations, border crossings and markets. These
motorcycles have three wheels, roof and a couple of benches in the back |
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There are a number of
sizes, some can only carry four passengers, some
up to a dozen - if you include those who stand and hang on at the
back.
Known as 'tuk - tuks' or 'jumbos', these taxis are better for shorter
journeys. You can take one of these taxis for a journey, or
charter one
by the hour, or even by the day. Expect to bargain with your
driver for
an agreed fare |
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Private Rentals -
Motorbikes
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In Vientiane
and Luang Prabang, motorbikes, of the two wheeled version are available
for
hire. Many hotels can arrange this for you and some shops and
restaurants
will hang a sign outside advertising motorcycles for rent.
Insurance is
almost always third party only. Remember that in Laos,
we drive
on the right. Road safety awareness is nothing like the west, and
only a
few years ago, there were hardly any motorized vehicles in the country
compared
to the numbers that you will see today |
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Bicycle and Foot
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Bicycles can be rented
from Guesthouses and other places in Vientiane and are an
excellent way of getting around. Luang Prabang has many shops
that rent
bicycles. Costs are very reasonable |
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Traveling by foot is
also a great way to see places like Vientiane and Luang
Prabang. There are also some companied that will arrange trekking
tours
to remote areas. Visitors are advised that some parts of Laos
contain
large amounts of unexploded ordnance (UXO) - these areas are well
known, but
please check locally if in doubt. In any case, when walking in
any part
of Laos, as in all countries, stick to clearly defined footpaths and do
not
stray from trails |
SERVICES
