# Nong Khiaw Bus Tickets: The Road In, and the Boat Onward

> No airport, no railway, one road in. How to reach Nong Khiaw by bus or minivan from Luang Prabang, and the boat onward up the Nam Ou to Muang Ngoi.

**Source:** https://laosbustickets.com/nong-khiaw-bus-tickets/  
**Language:** en  
**Last verified:** 5 September 2026  
**Written by:** Laos Bus Tickets, Vientiane, Laos
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## Quick answer

Nong Khiaw has no airport and is not on the railway. The only way in is by road from Luang Prabang, either a direct bus from the Naluang (southern) terminal, about four hours for around 30,000 kip, or a minivan, 50,000 kip, three to four hours, with departures around 08:30, 10:30 and 13:00 in season. From Nong Khiaw, public boats run up the Nam Ou to Muang Ngoi Neua, about an hour for 25,000 kip, with departures around 10:30 and 14:30.

## Routes

| Route | Border crossing | Duration | Bookable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw | Domestic | approx 4 hrs | Yes |

## Common questions

### How do I get to Nong Khiaw from Luang Prabang?

A direct bus from Luang Prabang's Naluang (Southern) terminal runs once daily, about four hours, tickets around US$3. Minivans run more often in season, about 50,000 kip, three to four hours, with departures typically around 08:30, 10:30 and 13:00.

### Is there an airport or train to Nong Khiaw?

No. Nong Khiaw has neither. Every visitor arrives by road, most from Luang Prabang. The nearest railway station is Luang Prabang's, about four hours away by the same road.

### How do I get onward to Muang Ngoi?

By boat up the Nam Ou, about one hour for around 25,000 kip. Public boats typically leave Nong Khiaw around 10:30 and 14:30; there is no road to Muang Ngoi, so the boat is not a scenic option, it is the only one.

### Can I do Nong Khiaw as a day trip from Luang Prabang?

Technically, but four hours each way on top of any time in Nong Khiaw makes it a long day for very little payoff. Almost everyone stays at least one night.

## Sources

- [Lao Department of Immigration](https://immigration.gov.la): checkpoint list, opening hours and visa status
- [Travelfish: how to get to Nong Khiaw](https://www.travelfish.org/transport/laos/northern_laos/luang_prabang/nong_kiaow/all): bus and minivan services from Luang Prabang
- [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._