# Flights to Laos: Routes and Fares from the Region

> Direct flights into Vientiane and Luang Prabang from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hanoi and Siem Reap, with real fares and how they compare to the bus.

**Source:** https://laosbustickets.com/flights-to-laos/  
**Language:** en  
**Last verified:** 4 September 2026  
**Written by:** Laos Bus Tickets, Vientiane, Laos
**Other languages:** [Français](https://laosbustickets.com/fr/flights-to-laos.md) · [Deutsch](https://laosbustickets.com/de/flights-to-laos.md) · [Español](https://laosbustickets.com/es/flights-to-laos.md)  

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## Quick answer

Fly when the overland leg is more than about twelve hours. Bangkok to Vientiane is 1 h 15 m in the air against 20 to 24 hours by bus, and the fare gap is smaller than that difference suggests. Take the bus for short hops, for the border experience, or when flights are thin, which is most of the smaller Lao airports.

## Routes

| Route | Border crossing | Duration | Bookable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok to Vientiane | , | about 1 h 15 m | Yes |
| Bangkok to Luang Prabang | , | about 1 h 50 m | Yes |
| Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang | , | about 1 h 10 m | Yes |
| Hanoi to Vientiane | , | about 1 h 10 m | Yes |
| Hanoi to Luang Prabang | , | about 1 h | Yes |
| Siem Reap to Luang Prabang | , | about 2 h | Yes |
| Vientiane to Pakse | , | about 1 h 15 m | Yes |
| Ho Chi Minh City to Pakse | , | about 1 h 35 m | Yes |

## Common questions

### Which airport should I fly into?

For the north and the classic Luang Prabang route, fly to Luang Prabang (LPQ). For the capital, the Thai border and the train south, fly to Vientiane (VTE). Those two take nearly all international flights.

### Is flying much more expensive than the bus?

Less than you would expect on the long routes. Bangkok to Luang Prabang starts around THB 3,007 and there is no direct bus at all. On short hops like Vientiane to Nong Khai the bus is a fraction of the price and the plane makes no sense.

### Can I get a Lao visa on arrival at the airport?

Yes, and it is more reliable than at the land borders. Both Vientiane and Luang Prabang issue visa on arrival, and unlike the Vietnam and Cambodia crossings the Lao eVisa is accepted here without trouble. See the visa guide.

### Are there flights within Laos?

Yes, but thin and prone to cancellation. On the Vientiane to Luang Prabang corridor the train is faster door to door once you account for airport time, and far more reliable.

### What about flying from Thailand to Cambodia?

Flights operate normally and are the sensible choice, because every Thailand to Cambodia land border is closed. Overland now means a two to three day detour through Laos.

## Sources

- [Lao Department of Immigration](https://immigration.gov.la): checkpoint list, opening hours and visa status
- [Wikivoyage: Laos](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Laos): background on overland travel and bus classes

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_Written and maintained from Vientiane. The people behind this site have lived in Laos for two decades and cross these borders themselves. Routes and visa rules get rechecked whenever something changes, not on a fixed schedule that lets stale information sit for months._