Luang PrabangNong Khiaw
The road ends here; the Nam Ou river takes over for the boat trip north to Muang Ngoi.
On the Nam Ou · Verified 14 October 2026
Nong Khiaw by Bus or Minivan, and the Boat Onward
Nong Khiaw is three to four hours from Luang Prabang by bus or minivan, the only way in. From there, boats run up the Nam Ou to Muang Ngoi.
- Luang Prabang: about 4 hrs
- Boat to Muang Ngoi: about 1 hr
- Minivan approx 50,000 kip
Search routes to Nong Khiaw
How do I get to Nong Khiaw?
Take the public bus from Luang Prabang's Northern Bus Station, about four hours, or a minivan, around 50,000 kip and three to four hours. For Muang Ngoi, carry on by public boat up the Nam Ou, about an hour: there is no road.
The road in from Luang Prabang
Public buses leave from Luang Prabang's Northern Bus Station; some tourist minivans and online transfers leave from the Naluang (Southern) terminal or pick you up in town, so check the departure point printed on your ticket. Which Luang Prabang bus station is where, and how to reach it from the old town, is on the Luang Prabang page.
| Mode | Duration | Fare | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct bus | about 4 hrs | approx US$3 | Once daily from the Northern Bus Station |
| Minivan | 3–4 hrs | approx 50,000 kip | More frequent in high season; typically 08:30, 10:30, 13:00 |
Luang Prabang
Don't make the connection too tight
The road from Luang Prabang regularly takes four hours or more, and recent passengers report delays from pickups, stops and road conditions. Do not plan a tight connection between a minivan arrival and a Nam Ou boat departure.
Onward by boat: the Nam Ou to Muang Ngoi
There is no road to Muang Ngoi Neua. The only way there is a public boat up the Nam Ou, about one hour for around 25,000 kip, with departures typically around 10:30 and 14:30. Boats also continue further up the river depending on water levels, which fall enough in the dry season to affect the schedule; ask locally on the day rather than relying on a fixed timetable.
A same-day return trip to Muang Ngoi on the public boats is hard to make work: recent traveller reports suggest staying the night, or hiring a private boat, if you want real time there.
Common questions
How do I get to Nong Khiaw from Luang Prabang?
Direct bus from the Northern Bus Station, about 4 hours, or a minivan around 50,000 kip.
Is there an airport or train?
No. Road only, from Luang Prabang.
How do I reach Muang Ngoi?
By boat up the Nam Ou, about an hour, around 25,000 kip. No road connects them.
Can I visit as a day trip?
Possible but long, four hours each way. Most people stay at least one night.
Laos Bus Tickets
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.
Sources for this page
- Lao Department of Immigration: checkpoint list, opening hours and visa status
- Travelfish: how to get to Nong Khiaw: bus and minivan services from Luang Prabang
- Wikivoyage: Laos: background on overland travel and bus classes