
Laos is open to international tourism
Laos is open to international travelers, quarantine-free. Border crossings with neighboring countries have been opened, and transit through Laotian airports is permitted. Fully vaccinated travelers do not need to present Covid test results, while unvaccinated travelers are required to show the results upon arrival.
Most foreign visitors are required to obtain a visa in order to enter Laos. Many nationals are eligible for a VoA (Visa on Arrival) that allows a stay of up to 30 days in the country. It can be obtained directly at the airport upon arrival, or in advance – through an online application form.
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Arriving in Laos
- If you are flying to Laos from abroad, you will most likely land at one of its biggest international airportsits main international airport — Wattay International Airport
VTE
in the capital city of Vientaine and Luang Prabang International AirportLPQ
located in Luang Prabang Province in northern part of the country.
These are also the best (and the cheapest) airports to fly into Laos. As they are used by many airlines serving the same routes, the competition for passengers is fierce – with decreased airfare as a result.
- Once in Laos, take advantage of frequent flights between the major cities via domestic airlines such as Lao Airlines and Lao Skyway. To check flight schedules/prices and to book the tickets, visit their official websites — OTAs and flight search engines often don’t have access to the flight repository of smaller local airlines. They also often fail to update prices in the event of short-lived sales and promotions that airlines run from time to time. To not miss out on these great offers, visit Promo Radar which aggregates current promotions run by popular airlines.
- Planning to explore the region? Popular destinations near Laos can be easily reached with low-cost regional airlines (LCCs) by the likes of AirAsia, Air Busan, Bangkok Airways, China Express Airlines, JejuAir, Jin Air, Scoot, Sichuan Airlines, SilkAir, ThaiSmile, and Tiger Airways.
These budget carriers offer flights from Wattay International Airport at lower prices than full-service airlines, and they often fly to smaller airports that big players do not cover. However, the “no-frills” airlines may not provide free checked baggage allowance, complimentary food, in-flight entertainment systems, and fast customer support; you may not even get to choose your seats (unless you pay extra). With that in mind, they are a great option to save money if you have a stopover in Laos and then fly only a short distance to one of its neighboring countries.

VTE
in the capital city of Vientaine and Luang Prabang International Airport LPQ
located in Luang Prabang Province in northern Laos. There are two other international airports, Pakse Airport PKZ
and Savannakhet Airport ZVK
, but these are used far less frequently.
Airlines flying to Laos | AirAsia, Air Busan, Bangkok Airways, China Eastern Airlines, China Express Airlines, China Southern Airlines, EVA Air, Finnair, JejuAir, Jin Air, Lao Airlines, Lao Skyway, Qatar Airways, Scoot, Sichuan Airlines, SilkAir, Singapore Airlines, Thai AirAsia, Thai Airways, ThaiSmile, Tiger Airways, Aerolíneas Vietnamitas |
---|---|
Airlines of Laos | Lao Airlines, Lao Skyway |
Main airports in Laos | Wattay International Airport (VTE) — Vientiane Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ) — Luang Prabang Pakse Airport (PKZ) — Pakse Savannakhet Airport (ZVK) — Savannakhet Luang Namtha Airport (LXG) — Luang Namtha Xieng Khouang Airport (XKH) — Phonsavan Phongsaly Boun Neua Airport (PCQ) — Phongsaly |
Regular price (roundtrip) | ✈ €900 – €1200 (from Europe) ✈ $900 – $1300 (from USA) |
Flight hacks | 40% — 80% off regular fare |
Airline promotions | See ticket sales & promos available for flights departing from February to April |
Know your time zone
When checking flights and airport transfer times, ensure you know the local time zones. The departure/arrival times on your plane ticket and boarding pass are based on the time zone of the departure/arrival airport – this also applies to the connecting (layover) airports.
Laos has only one time zone – it observes Indochina Time all year, which is UTC/GMT +7. There are no daylight-saving time clock changes.
Laos is 11 hours ahead of New York, and 4 hours behind Sydney. It shares the same time with Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The cheapest time to fly to Laos
The best time to find cheap flights to Laos tends to be during the low season – May to September. It’s the country’s wet season (expect high humidity) and also an off-peak tourism season with significantly fewer visitors. Everything, including air tickets, is cheaper, and airlines often offer promotions to attract more tourists and try to fill up the planes.
To save on flights, avoid the peak season – from November to February, and local holidays. Cheap flights to Laos are non-existent during popular holidays such as Lao New Year (13-16 April), Boun Khao Phansa (July), Boat Racing Festival (October), Boun Ok Phansa (October), That Luang Festival (November), and National Day (2 December). If you travel to Laos during these peak periods it’s wise to book the flights well in advance.
Long waiting times when calling the helpline?
Social media is usually a faster way to reach the airline when a problem arises. Use Twitter or Facebook Messenger to contact the airline customer service and get a response and solution within minutes (see detailed guides for Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates, and others).
When it comes to Twitter there’s one more trick to get in touch with the airline faster: mention the airline in a tweet about your issue (add “@airline_handle”, for example: “@LaoAirlines”). The social media team will often notice it immediately, ask you for a direct message, and respond privately.
Duty-free rules
Laos is serious about the duty-free concession. There is a limit for bringing in certain items. Alcoholic drinks cannot exceed 1 liter (spirits) and 2 liters (wine) per person, and you can carry only 200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco. In addition to personal items, you may also carry items such as gifts up to a value of $50.
Anything above those limits must be declared – at the airport, head to Red Lane to declare your goods.
Flights to Laos fromUnited States and Canada
- There are no direct flights from the US or Canada to Laos. However, most major hubs in Asia have non-stop flights to Laos, as do some larger airports in the Middle East – your journey will have at least one stop.
- Laos is well-served via one-stop flights from North America. Flights to Laos with one layover depart from most major North American airports, including Atlanta
ATL
, DallasDFW
, DenverDEN
, ChicagoORD
, Los AngelesLAX
, Las VegasDFW
, MiamiMIA
, SeattleSEA
, HoustonIAH
, New YorkJFK
, and San FranciscoSFO
in the United States and TorontoYYZ
, VancouverYVR
, CalgaryLAS
, and MontrealYUL
in Canada. - The best airlines to fly to Laos from the US and Canada are: Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, and Vietnam Airlines. They are top full-service carriers, offering exceptional customer service, in-flight comfort, a generous checked baggage allowance, and reliable customer support channels – all included in the ticket price.
- For long-haul flights, the type of aircraft you choose can make a huge difference to your overall comfort on board – especially if you’re flying economy. The best aircraft have comfier seats with more legroom, WiFi, superior entertainment systems, and a better passenger experience in every cabin in general. When booking a flight to Laos, look for the airlines that use wide-body planes designed for long-haul flights, such as Airbus A350 (best choice), A380, A320neo, or Boeing 767, 777, and 787 Dreamliner.
Laos from US & Canada
plane ticket prices in 2023/24
Real-time economy class airfares to Laos from the US and Canada. Shown are the top three deals for flights departing in the coming months (February to October).
Flight hacking
Hacker faresto Laos
Superdeals airlines don't want you to see:
Use Loca app instead of Uber or Grab
There is no Uber nor Grab in Laos – these super popular ride-sharing apps never get launched here.
However, getting around Laotian big cities is quite convenient thanks to the Loca app, which works similarly to Uber and Grab. Loca is the main ride-hailing app in Laos, letting you hail a private car or a taxi and automatically pay the fare when your ride ends (or you can choose to pay in cash). Only registered drivers with a special license can offer rides on the app in accordance with the law.
You can download the Loca app for Android or iOS before arriving in Laos.
Avoid currency exchange kiosks at airports
It is always a good idea to bring some cash with you to Laos. Airports are infamous for making an exuberant amount of money from their currency exchanges due to the extremely high margins, and Laotian airports are no exception. Airport kiosks usually charge higher fees which are sometimes hidden within the poorer exchange rates they offer – their business is based on charging extra for being a convenient, last-minute option.
Plan ahead and exchange some money for the Lao kip at home, or use an ATM at the airport and in some major towns.
Flights to Laos with stopover
Direct flights to Laos are, of course, much less hassle than flights that require one or more connections. However, they tend to be more expensive. In a trade-off between convenience and cost, the best option is often to opt for a flight with one layover.
So if you’re looking at a long-haul trip with at least one connection, rather than simply transiting an airport, why not take this opportunity to plan a longer stopover? A stopover is a prolonged layover — more than 24 hours — and it won’t only break up your long journey but will also become a legitimate part of your vacation. If you’re prone to severe jet lag, a one or two-day stopover would help minimize its adverse effects.
When booking flights, many airlines allow you to include a free stopover en route to your final destination in Laos. Those flights are usually cheaper than non-stop (direct) flights, and you can often choose your stopover at no additional cost — just by looking for multi-city flights with longer layovers.
Some airlines openly advertise stopovers and offer significant discounts and travel perks for passengers to break up their trips: free luxury hotel stays, complimentary domestic flights, or exclusive rates for activities. Start checking for stopover deals to Laos with government-owned airlines (as they are looking to attract tourists to give the country economic benefits) — such as Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Malaysia Airlines. Almost every airline’s website has multi-city search functionality, often hidden inside the one-way/return/multi-city switch.
A well-chosen stopover will not only turn one vacation into many but also save you several hundred dollars in airfare. The available stopovers to Laos will depend on your initial destination (Europe, North America, Asia, etc) and the airline you are flying with. For most airlines, the best free stopover offer will be at their main hub.
Flights to Laos from UK, Germany, France, Netherlands and other countries in Europe
- There are no direct flights from Europe to Laos — you’ll need to get a connecting flight from elsewhere in the Middle East or in Asia.
- Airlines that frequently fly from the UK, Germany, France, and other European countries to Laos include Finnair, Scoot, Thai AirAsia, and ThaiSmile.
- Consider departure airports in neighboring countries to increase your chance of spotting the best deal. Especially look for large airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines. For example, if you live in Western Europe, check air tickets to Laos from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Paris, and Rome. Use European low-cost airlines such as RyanAir, EasyJet, and Eurowings to fly to the hub, then save hundreds of euros by taking a cheaper long-haul flight to your final destination.
We recommend checking prices for flights to Laos from these European airport hubs: LondonLHR
and ManchesterMAN
in the United Kingdom, FrankfurtFRA
and MunichMUC
in Germany, ParisCDG
and NiceNCE
in France, AmsterdamAMS
in the Netherlands, MadridMAD
and BarcelonaBCN
in Spain, RomeFCO
and MilanoMXP
in Italy, BrusselsBRU
in Belgium, CopenhagenOSL
in Denmark, OsloOSL
in Norway, StockholmARN
in Sweden, ZurichZRH
in Switzerland, LisbonLIS
in Portugal, ViennaVIE
in Austria, WarsawWAW
in Poland, PraguePRG
in Czech Republic, and DublinDUB
in Ireland.
European airports with the cheapest flights to Laos
Find the lowest prices for flights to Wattay International Airport in Laos from the major airports in Europe — London, Dublin, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Lyon, Barcelona, Athens, Istanbul, Stockholm, Geneva, Helsinki, Zurich, and others.
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Check different departure airports
Consider neighboring cities when choosing the departure airport – especially look for larger cities with airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines.
For example, if you live in West Europe, check prices for flights departing from Paris, London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Rome, or Vienna. In 9 out of 10 cases, the cheapest flight to Laos will depart from one of these hubs, and it may be €500 less or more than your first choice. Yes, you may have to fly a few hundred kilometers to this hub, but low-cost airlines like EasyJet, RyanAir, or WizzAir will happily take you there for €50 – €100.
Use a similar tactic if you depart from the US or another region. It’s one of the best ways to save hundreds on trips.

Last-minute flights to Laos. The real cost of convenience.
Last-minute flights are often touted as a great way to save money, but the reality is far from it. Booking last-minute flights to Laos almost always never works out. The convenience of being able to book a flight on the fly is a dangerous game of chance, and you will most likely end up paying significantly higher than booking in advance.
The common perception may be that airlines decrease ticket prices to fill empty seats as the departure date approaches. However, the truth is that airfares depend on demand. Based on years of research and current customer data, the airlines know what people are willing to pay for specific flights and dates. They are also well aware that people are willing to pay a premium for flights they need to take immediately. To make the most money, the airline will sell its cheapest fares first and then increase the prices right before the flight to take advantage of business travelers and others who are willing to pay the premium price for late booking.

Occasionally, airlines can put some seats on sale to fill the remaining seats, but these are for unusual times and unpopular places. Popular destinations and dates around peak travel times tend to sell out quickly.
Planning ahead is key to securing a good deal on your flight. Last-minute flight deals are hard to come by, so as soon as you have a tentative travel timeline, book your flight. The earlier you book, the more likely you are to save money. If you are looking for a good deal, the best time to book your flight to Laos is around 60-90 days before the departure date.
“Hot seats” on long-haul flights
Those days seat selection is considered an optional, extra paid service – seats with extra legroom (front and exit rows) are usually priced higher. However, if you’re about to take a long-haul flight to Laos, those “hot seats” are worth considering – expect to pay $50-$100, which is much less than upgrading to Premium Economy.
If you want to choose your seats, do this early (ideally during the booking) for a more extensive selection of available options.

Lost baggage prevention
Avoid lost luggage nightmares by removing old tags on your suitcases. Tags are printed with a barcode for identification and tracking, so the old tags can confuse baggage handlers and the conveyor belt scanners. They are one of the reasons so many bags miss their flight or get misrouted.
Airlines of Laos
Laos has only two main commercial airlines: Lao Airlines (the national flag carrier) and Lao Skyway, both based at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane. Together, they handle most of the domestic air traffic in Laos, while Lao Airlines serves nearby countries such as Cambodia, China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Flights to Laos from Australia and New Zealand
- Australia and New Zealand are well-connected with popular Asian destinations, including Laos. In addition to domestic airlines – Qantas, Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, and Air New Zealand – routes from Australia/New Zealand to Asia are operated by large regional carriers such as ANA, Emirates, Etihad, Fiji Airways, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines.
Direct flights and flights with one layover to Laos are available from all major airports in Australia – SydneySYD
, BrisbaneBNE
, MelbourneMEL
, PerthPER
, AdelaideADL
, CairnsCNS
, Gold CoastOOL
, CanberraCBR
, and in New Zealand – AucklandAKL
, WellingtonWLG
, ChristchurchCHC
, QueenstownZQN
, DunedinDUD
. - In terms of cost-savings, we recommend flying from Australia and New Zealand to a major Asian hub and then booking a flight to your final destination in Laos with a regional budget airline. Among the low-cost airlines that fly into Laos are AirAsia, Air Busan, Bangkok Airways, China Express Airlines, JejuAir, Jin Air, Scoot, Sichuan Airlines, SilkAir, ThaiSmile, and Tiger Airways.
Currently, there are no direct flights from Australia or New Zealand to Laos. You’ll need a layover in one of the major hubs in Asia.
Prices of flights to Laos from Australia and New Zealand
Real-time economy class fares to Laos from major airports in Australasia — from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide in Australia, and from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch in New Zealand.
Prices in Australian Dollar.
Flight hacking
Curated dealsfrom flight experts
Fly half-price (or less!) from Australia and New Zealand to Laos:
“Book Flights Now, Pay Later” — is it worth it?
Booking a flight and paying for it later has recently become a popular trend in the travel industry, with many airlines offering delayed payment plans. They will allow you to make flight reservation to Laos now and then pay the bill in installments. But should you take advantage?
Book Now Pay Later (BNPL) plans are essentially short-term personal loans. By partnering with financial companies such as Affirm, Afterpay, PayPal Credit, Postpay, and Uplift, airlines can offer their loan services on the checkout page. When you book the flight with the BNPL option, the company pays the airline, and you repay the loan in installments over a set period (usually up to 24 months), with a set interest rate.
BNPL providers have varying terms and fees. Some may offer interest-free loans but have fees for late payments and require forced autoplay on your bank account, while others may have high annual percentage rates (up to 30-40% APR). There may also be transaction fees, down payment requirements, and many companies even run a credit check on the traveler.
Among the airlines that offer a “fly now, pay later” option are American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Qantas, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Southwest, and Virgin Atlantic.
Is BNPL financing worth it? If paid off on time, interest-free delayed payment on your flight ticket to Laos can be a great way to free up your cash flow. However, there may be safer alternatives available – such as taking advantage of an introductory 0% interest offer on a credit card or using flight price “freezing” services like Hopper.
Hidden-city ticketing hack
Hidden-city ticketing is a less-known money-saving tactic where you buy a plane ticket with a layover, with the intention to get off at the layover rather than the final destination. For example, a flight from New York to Tokyo might be $600, but a similar flight from New York to Singapore with a layover in Tokyo might be only $350. Choosing the latter and ending the trip in Tokyo would save you $250.
It seems counterintuitive that a fare from A to C via B could possibly be cheaper than a simple fare on a shorter route from A to B. However, airlines use dynamic, computer-driven price models calculated with little human intervention, and such deals happen quite often.

Booking a hidden city ticket isn’t as easy as booking a standard itinerary. There are some things to be aware of: (1) don’t check baggage — bring only hand luggage that can fit under the seat or an overhead compartment; a large checked bag will end up in the final destination C; (2) don’t use it for return flights — airlines often void any subsequent tickets if any segment of the first ticket is missed; (3) Do not overuse this tactic with the same airline — hidden-city ticketing is legal but airlines don’t like it and may try to punish you; (4) Don’t associate your frequent flyer account — the airline might invalidate any miles you’ve accrued with them.
How to find hidden-city tickets? The easiest way is to use Skiplagged website, which was designed for unearthing hidden-city deals — give them a try for your flight to Laos.
Get cheaper business class by bidding on airline upgrades
A growing number of airlines are auctioning upgrades to their business class seats. Once you book your economy ticket to Laos, you can offer to pay a bit more in an attempt to get a premium seat. 2-3 days before your flight, an airline will send you an email with a link to their website where you can place a “blind” bid. There’s usually a minimum bid amount. If you win the auction, you’ll be informed, and your seat will be upgraded.
How to choose the right bid amount? Just check the airline website for the regular cost of a business class seat to Laos, then subtract what you paid for the economy fare. Place your bid for around 10% to 30% of that price. The alternative strategy is to bid slightly above the competition. If, for example, the minimum bid is $500, try to bid $550-$600, as most people will offer the baseline amount required.
The more available business class seats the airline has on your flight, the lower bid can be successfully used. Check the airline’s daily schedule for flights to Laos – if there is more than one flight on your chosen route (more available seats), you can safely bid close to the minimum required amount.
Among the airlines that allow bidding for seat upgrades are: Air Canada (AC Bid), Air New Zealand (OneUp™), Cathay Pacific, Etihad Airways, Fiji Airways (Bula Bid), Garuda Indonesia (BidUpgrade), Qantas, Singapore Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, and Virgin Australia (UpgradeMe).

Fly early in the morning
Early morning flights (6 am or earlier) are usually cheaper than other day schedules. It’s because of lower demand – most people are not willing to go to the airport so early. Use it to your advantage.
Moreover, airports are also less crowded, and there tend to be fewer delays if you fly early in the morning. Due to increasing air traffic, delays get worse throughout the day – starting around 8-10 am and reaching a peak at 4-6 pm. If you are flying to Laos with a connecting flight, arriving on time at your layover airport may be critical to catching your next flight!
Flights to Laos from Bali, Bangkok, Delhi, Dubai, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, and other major hubs in Asia
- Asia is probably the best continent for short-haul and mid-haul flying. The sheer scale of this most populous region on Earth is reflected in the type of aircraft operating many shorter routes: intra-Asia flyers benefit from comfortable, wide-bodied aircraft by the likes of Boeing 777, 787 or Airbus A350, A330, and A380. When booking your flight to Laos look for these bigger planes as they will almost always give you the best experience in every cabin, including better seat pitches, higher ceilings, and larger overhead bin space.
- Asia is also home to most of the world’s best airlines. There are only ten airlines that received the prestigious 5-star mark of quality from Skytrax, and all of them are from Asia: ANA, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines. Choosing one of these airlines for your trip to Laos will guarantee a pleasant journey – delicious meals served during the flight, great in-flight entertainment, and above-average airline customer service.
- Asia is extremely well served by low-cost regional airlines. If you are visiting Laos and want to see several other countries on a tight budget, they often have great sales with rock-bottom prices, while still offering a relatively comfortable flight experience. Among the best Asian budget airlines you can book without hesitation are AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, Citilink, FlyDubai, Indigo, Jetstar Airways, Scoot, SpiceJet, and VietJet Air. The cons? Being no-frills airlines they may not provide free baggage allowance, inflight meals, or onboard entertainment. The departure times may also be quite inconvenient as they try to save money by flying at off-peak hours.
Asian airports with the cheapest flights to Laos in 2023/24
Find the lowest prices for flights to Laos from the largest airports in Asia — Changi (Singapore), Dubai (UAE), Hong Kong (China), Incheon (Seoul, South Korea), Indira Gandhi (New Delhi, India), KLIA (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Narita (Tokyo, Japan), Denpasar (Bali, Indonesia), Soekarno–Hatta (Jakarta, Indonesia), Ninoy Aquino (Manila, Philippines), Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok, Thailand), Taoyuan (Taipei, Taiwan), and others.
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Take advantage of loyalty programs
Choose an airline that suits you the best, then stick to it. By becoming a ‘regular’, you will be able to use its loyalty program and earn “miles” (or points) – not only for flying but also for everyday expenses (if your card is affiliated with an airline).
Points earned this way often add up over time and are extremely helpful in flying at reduced fares. Airlines offer not only ticket discounts for their frequent flyers, but also special travel perks such as cabin class upgrades, increased checked baggage allowance, or access to their airport lounges so you can relax during long layovers.
If you often fly with Emirates, opt for Skywards, with Qantas – for Qantas Frequent Flyer, with Singapore Airlines – for KrisFlyer, etc.
Proof of onward travel – a simple hack
Travelers who go on long trips often don’t have a set itinerary and fly on one-way tickets. The problem? For many APAC countries, proof of onward travel is a legal requirement. If you arrive at the airport without an onward ticket (from Laos to another country), you’ll either be forced to buy one online or forbidden from boarding the plane altogether.
The cheapest solution? Renting an onward ticket! Use the websites such as OneWayFly or OnwardTicket to get a flight reservation for a limited amount of time (usually 2 to 14 days). They work by actually booking you on a real flight out of Laos and giving you a confirmable flight reservation with a PNR (Passenger Name Record) under your name. After the time limit, your spot on the flight is automatically canceled. Such “temporary tickets” tend to cost anywhere from $10 to $20.

How to book a superdeal to Laos?
Every superdeal you receive from Air Traveler Club includes a link you can use to book a flight. It always directs you to the website that offers the lowest price. Sometimes it’s an airline website; in other cases, Google Flights or a similar flight booking platform.
This video explains how to use Google Flights to book a plane ticket.

Dealing with the jet lag
Jet lag affects people differently depending on age, physical fitness, and genetics. The most accepted rule suggests that you should allow one full day to recover from jet lag for every time zone (hour gained) you traveled east and a number of days equal to half the time zones crossed when you traveled west.
The most effective natural jet lag remedy is to force your body into its new routine. You can begin before getting off the plane: set your watch to the time in Laos, then do your best to sleep and eat based on the new time zone. Close the window shade when it’s time to simulate darkness. During your first day on the ground in Laos, get outdoors, stay physically active during the day, and absorb sunlight.
FAQ: Flying to Laos
Q: What is the cheapest time of year to fly to Laos?
A: The best time to find cheap flights to Laos tends to be during the low season – May to September. With significantly fewer visitors, everything, including air tickets, is cheaper.
Q: Can you fly direct to Laos?
A: Direct (non-stop) flights to Laos are only available if you depart from nearby countries such as Cambodia, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, etc. Outside Asia, there are no direct flights to Laos; if you depart from Europe, North America, or Australasia your trip will have at least one layover.
Q: Which big airlines are flying to Laos?
A: Among the legacy, full-service airlines that operate flights to Laos: China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, EVA Air, Finnair, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, and Vietnam Airlines.
Q: Why are flights to Laos so expensive?
A: The flight prices to Laos depend primarily on which part of the world you are flying from. For example, the cheapest tickets to Vientiane from North America are around $500-$700 one-way - not that expensive for more than 13,000 km / 8,000 miles route.
Time of travel and time of booking are also significant factors. High demand + low supply = higher fares. If you travel during the peak season (high demand) and book a last-minute flight (low supply - not many tickets left), your flight to Laos will be costly (expect to pay 2 or 3 times more than the average price!).
The number of carriers that fly to Laos from your region also plays a role. Neighboring countries (Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, etc) tend to have plenty of flights, not only with large, full-service airlines but also with regional low-cost carriers. Competition is fierce, so prices are low.
Finally, there are oil prices and the fact that airfares are pegged to the US dollar. These factors are passed on to travelers, making your flight ticket even more expensive.
Q: Can I fly directly from Singapore to Laos?
A: Yes, currently Scoot operates non-stop flights from Singapore to Vientiane. The 3-hour flight cost around $100 - $150 (S$140 - S$210).
Q: Are there non-stop flights from Malaysia to Laos?
A: Yes, you can fly non-stop between two capitals via Malaysian budget airline AirAsia. Direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Vientiane is 2 hours 45 minutes long and costs around 50 USD (~240 MYR) if booked a few weeks in advance.
Q: How much is direct flight from the United Arab Emirates to Laos?
A: There are currently no direct flights to Laos from Dubai or other cities in the UAE.
Q: When is the best time to book flights to Laos?
A: Plane tickets usually don’t get cheaper closer to the departure date. Even these reasonably priced flights in the low season sell out quite far ahead of the date of travel. It pays to book your ticket well in advance, as it will give you a good range of flight times and seat selection choices.
The best time to book flights to Laos can vary among airlines, but the golden time usually falls between 2 months and 6 months before the departure. So, January is the best time to book flights if you want to visit Laos during the summer.
User Review
4.67 (3 votes)Fights to Laos
Whether on a vacation of a lifetime or a business trip, flying to Laos is not as easy as booking local travel.
Most likely you are looking at a long-haul trip — and every layover will add a few more hours if you choose not to take a direct flight. Choose your airline wisely, by reading the online reviews left by passengers who have already taken a similar route. Always look for their in-flight experience: seats (are they comfy and spacious?), menu (was it delicious with plenty of choices for different tastes and diets?), and the entertainment options available onboard (the quality of screens and headphones, the range of movie/music/tv channels on offer, etc).
If you have specific travel dates, it's worth booking as soon as possible. Leave it too late and you might have to pay almost double the price, especially if you want to fly during school holidays and popular times like New Year's Eve. If you're not yet an Air Traveler Club subscriber, sign up now — we'll send you lots of discounted offers for free. Our members often save $500 or more on flights to Laos!
Pros
- Plenty of airlines flying to Laos
- Cheap tickets available
- Flight hacks available
Cons
- Long-haul flights can be expensive