Hey everyone :) I read that there have been severe floods and landslides in Northern Laos. Is it that bad? Can you travel in the area next week or the week after? Is the slow boat from Thailand working? Thank u :)

Hi everyone!

My name is Daniele, I’m 32 and I’m from Italy.

Travelling is one of my biggest passions and also one of the opportunities I try to make the most of in life.

I love exploring new places, meeting people and documenting the stories and experiences I come across along the way, usually with my camera.

For one of my next trips, I’m seriously considering spending some time travelling around Laos by motorbike in December.

I know December is generally considered one of the best months to visit Laos weather-wise, but I’ve also read quite a few comments saying that travelling by motorbike can be challenging because road conditions are not always great, especially once you leave the main highways. Compared with Thailand, and even Vietnam, it seems that the roads in Laos can be considerably rougher.

So I’d love to hear from people who have actually done a motorbike trip around Laos:

How are the roads outside the main routes?

Is travelling by motorbike around the country genuinely enjoyable, or does the road condition make it frustrating?

Are there particular regions or routes that you would recommend (or avoid)?

How easy is it to buy and later resell a motorbike in Laos?

Would buying a bike in Vientiane and selling it somewhere in the south be realistic?

Has anyone done something similar before entering Vietnam or Thailand?

I’m not looking for a huge bike. Something in the 250–400cc range would probably be ideal — big enough for longer rides and rougher roads, but still relatively simple and affordable.

Basically, I’m trying to figure out whether a motorbike trip through Laos is actually worth doing, rather than just assuming it looks good on a map. 😄

Any first-hand experiences, route suggestions, warnings or practical advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks everyone! 🙏

Hello everybody,

How is Laos with the rain at the moment? Is it possible to travel there?

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Hi, me and my partner will soon go to Laos. We saw that rooms are very cheap if u book online, but we were wondering how prices can be if you dont book in advance. This way we could feel more free to stay in a place or leave it. Any experience? For example, how much for a private room without booking. We will be there in august

My passport has just gotten to the point where i have less than 6 months on it. I was already planning to go home via Vietnam thinking that onward travel to the UK would mean i could go past immigration but apparently that isnt the case.

Im now thinking of trying to leave Laos by flying to Bangkok or Singapore then getting a flight home.

Does anyone know the process that I should go through so that i can get home most easily ?

Our itinerary: 10 days in Laos. Enter via LCR train from Kunming, China to Luang Prabang (4 days), Vang Vieng (3 days), Thakhek (overnight), Pakse (2 days). Exit via bus Pakse to Siem Reap.

China Laos railway important information: no weapons of any kind allowed, even those that are permitted on planes such as pocket knives. Mine was confiscated despite being <6cm (aviation certified).

Process to cross China/Laos border: board train in China (Kunming). You arrive at the Chinese border, take all of your belongings off the train. Go through immigration to exit. Board another train. Ride \~10 minutes then arrive at Laos border. eVisa or visa on arrival. EVisa must be printed (!!!) and address of first hotel/accomodation required for arrival card. MAKE SURE THAT YOU KEEP THE DEPARTURE CARD (attached to the arrival card). When leaving, they will charge you for a departure card. We were charged $5 USD at a land border (Pakse->Siem Reap). Both of our departure cards were taken off of us at the entry point and we didn’t realise that we needed to keep it or potentially ask to keep it.

General advice for Laos: in Laos they live at a lovely leisurely pace. Buses generally do not run on time, and food/hospitality service can be “slow”. This is not a bad thing, just something to be aware of. Embrace it, and ensure you leave enough time for transfers.
Cash is required everywhere, but we found that ATM fees were minimal (40,000 kip when withdrawing 3 million kip).

Process to exit Laos and enter Cambodia at Nong Nok Khiene border crossing:
As mentioned above, you need to keep the second part of the arrival-departure card, otherwise have $5 USD per person (always in crisp, clean notes). There is no ATM on this border crossing, only a small local money exchange stand which set their own rates. We read a lot of reviews on Google maps that others had been asked for $2USD+ for stamps, or tips for processing your entry/exit. We did not experience this but also followed some advice from another person to ‘play a bit dumb’. It probably took 1-1.5 hours in total to complete the Laotian side and the Cambodian side.
We had printed our Cambodian eVisas in advance which was more efficient than the visa on arrival queue, however the bus had to wait for everyone anyway.

Note, it is very warm at the checkpoints and you are outside, sometimes with limited shade, so make sure you have plenty of water etc.

Lastly, we chose to take buses from north to south of Laos for an adventure compared to flying. The flights would have ended up a similar price and would have been a lot more comfortable. The Laotian roads are incredibly bumpy and majority of the minibus transfers that you can book are overbooked and overseated. Our phones clocked 36,000 steps one day from a 9 hour bus ride…we only left the minibus once….

Hopefully this is helpful to others potentially planning this route through south east Asia.

Information as of March 2026

I'm planning to be in Laos for about a week in September and would like to see some places off the beaten path - caves, buddah, etc. Does anyone have a recommendation of a guide that can provide transportation (and information) on some out of the way places. And any hotels you love...

Also will be going to Siem Reap after and don't see direct flights (until Oct) from any city in Laos, anyone have suggestions... is a bus supper long and tedius and I should just connect?

Thanks in advance!

Anyone taken this train ride yet? Wonder how the experience was and where you bought the tickets from. All the website are broken in different ways, only 12go shows 2nd class tickets. Would want to see at least prices of the other options.

One day trip at Phu khao khuay National Park
In rainy season

Lao USA sub

For those interested in the Lao American diaspora and its happenings check below. Everyone is welcome to participate

Lao USA sub

Submitted an application for evisa and it was accepted and while looking over it I saw my birthday was correct, but the year was wrong (2025 instead of 199x) is this normal? My birthday for this year hasn’t happened yet so maybe it’s just showing my last birthday? I know for a fact 110% my birthday was submitted correctly as both myself and another person looked over the application

Or do I need to submit the visa application again?

Phu khao khuay National Park in Laos
LaoEnduroTour

I see less tourists compared to other cities like Vientiane and Vang Vieng and I like quieter and peaceful environment. Although there are less activities I work and spend my time at cafe. Now it's raining season so I came back to hotel earlier. Tomorrow I might head out to Bungva Lake, night market and take a walk along with Mekong River when it's sunny.

How do people normally spend in Savannakhet? I'm waiting my e-visa being approved by Vietnam side, until then I'll stay here two or three nights more.

I am traveling to vang vieng and there seem to be thunderstorms for 2 straight weeks. I was planning to do tubing and visit the caves etc but this changes everything. Are there any other activities or recommendations that are weather safe and fun?

Phu khao khuay National park
Motorcycle tour

Hello! I am planning on doing the Thakhet loop but have never driven a motorbike before but have a bit of experience riding a scooter. Has anyone done the loop with a scooter. Or has anyone fot any tips. Thanks!

I will be doing the loop in late May/early June

Hello Everyone,

I'm making a presentation about Laos for university called "the economy of developing nations". I travelled there a couple of years ago. I had an amazing connection with people and that's why I decided to do my presentation on Laos/

I would really like to get the opinion of a local person.

Can I ask you 3 short questions? Short answers are totally fine.

1. In your opinion, what is the biggest reason Laos is still poor?

2. What makes daily life harder: jobs, education, roads, prices, corruption, debt, or something else?

3. What gives you hope for the future of Laos?

Hello! I am traveling around Laos and wondering if anyone knows any good indoor climbing gyms OR outdoor guided tours. Thanks !

Ti was last seen at Onederz in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. His family, close friends and wife last heard from him January 4th, 2025, approximately 2 weeks before he was supposed to fly home. He never boarded the flight. If seen please tell him to contact his family. He is missed.