Kuang Si Falls, near Luang Prabang, LaosVideo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Find your Bliss in Laos
Laos, made simple: golden temples, slow rivers and misty karst mountains
Laos is gentle, green and quietly beautiful: saffron robed monks at dawn in Luang Prabang, the riverside calm of Vientiane, the limestone peaks of Vang Vieng and Nong Khiaw, the coffee hills of the Bolaven Plateau and the river islands of Si Phan Don. It can still feel uncertain, with e-visas, a fast moving kip, train tickets that sell out and a wartime legacy of unexploded bombs. This guide takes the guesswork out so you travel with confidence.
Your trip, step by step
- Before you flyVisas, seasons, health and money, answered
- LandingAirports, SIM cards, kip and your first evening, explained
- Your days in LaosTemples, rivers, trains and food, planned with care
- Home againDeparture tips so the last day is calm too
Where to go, eat and stay
- Plain answersClear, honest guidance on the questions first-timers actually ask.
- Official sourcesEntry, health and safety facts point you to the official pages to confirm.
- No price surprisesWe explain the kip, cash, train tickets, tuk tuk fares and tipping so costs never catch you off guard.
- Free to useEvery guide and the trip planner are free.
Our promise
Laos should feel like calm, not worry. We answer the questions about visas, money, transport and safety before they start, so you arrive confident and ready to find your Bliss.
Coming home to see family from California, Minnesota, France or Australia, or finally seeing Luang Prabang for yourself? This guide was written with you in mind.
How to use this guide
Four steps from first idea to a trip that feels easy.
- Choose your LaosTemples, rivers, mountains, coffee country or islands: start with the destinations that fit you.
- Sort the essentialsEntry rules, travel advice, money and the right season, checked against official sources.
- Pick your placesUse our places to visit list for food, culture, nature and stays in each town.
- Plan your routeUse the free trip planner to link Vientiane, Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang and the south at a realistic pace.
Everything your Laos trip needs
Free tools and guides for every stage of the journey.
Destinations
Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Vang Vieng, Nong Khiaw and southern Laos, each explained in depth.
Explore destinationsPlaces to visit
More than a hundred temples, cafés, markets, waterfalls and stays, from classics to hidden corners.
See places to visitFlights and stays
Search flights into Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse, and stays in every town.
Plan travelPlaces finder
Restaurants, sights and stays mapped around each base.
Find placesFree trip planner
Tell us your dates and interests and build a route that fits.
Plan your trip
The classic Laos trip
Vientiane, Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang and the north
Most first trips ride the fast Laos to China railway from Vientiane to Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang, then add Nong Khiaw by road and river. With extra days, fly or bus south to Pakse for the Bolaven Plateau, Wat Phou and the 4000 Islands. Two weeks shows you the best of the country at the slow pace Laos is loved for.
- Dawn alms giving and Wat Xieng Thong in Luang Prabang
- The turquoise pools of Kuang Si Falls
- Karst peaks, caves and kayaking in Vang Vieng and Nong Khiaw
- Coffee farms, waterfalls and river dolphins in the far south
Start with the destinations
See how the capital, the north and the south fit together.
Laos destinationsPlan with confidence
Your route, without the worry
Laos rewards a little preparation: the right visa sorted, train tickets bought early, cash in kip for the countryside and a pace that fits the season. Our free planner helps you shape it.
- Realistic train, bus and boat times between towns
- The right season for rivers and waterfalls
- Where to base yourself
Where to go in Laos
From the royal town of Luang Prabang and the riverside capital to the karst valleys of the north and the waterfalls and islands of the Mekong in the south.
Luang Prabang province
Luang Prabang
Gilded temples, dawn alms giving, the Mekong at sunset and turquoise waterfalls.
Read the guidePhoto: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Vientiane Prefecture
Vientiane
A small, easygoing capital of golden stupas, French bakeries and Mekong sunsets.
Read the guidePhoto: Christophe95, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Vientiane province
Vang Vieng
Limestone peaks, blue lagoons, caves and the Nam Song river.
Read the guidePhoto: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Luang Prabang province
Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi
Misty limestone peaks, river boats and car free village life.
Read the guidePhoto: Christophe95, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Champasak province
Southern Laos: Pakse, Bolaven Plateau and the 4000 Islands
Coffee hills, giant waterfalls, an ancient Khmer temple and lazy river islands.
Read the guidePhoto: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A note from our founder
A note from our founder
My first time visiting Kenya, I was genuinely surprised with how fast it began feeling like home. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and familiar, and the accommodations are modern and upscale.
During my travels throughout the continent, I commonly hear tourists share stories about being scammed or taken advantage of, which is both frustrating and disheartening.
Living in Kenya for the last 2 years, I have had the great fortune to meet a network of wonderful Kenyans who have continuously help guide my family's journey. Their shared knowledge has not only greatly enhanced our overall experience here, but it has also saved us tons of time, energy, and resources.
With BlissPoint Travel, my hope is to build a global community that is willing to share useful, uncommon knowledge so that we can all blissfully enjoy the wonders our world has to offer.
Questions we hear most
Is Laos safe to visit?
Most visits are trouble free and Laos is one of the calmer countries in the region. The main risks are road accidents, petty theft, adventure activities run without safety gear, tainted spirits and unexploded ordnance off marked paths. Read your own government's travel advice before you go.
What is the capital of Laos?
Vientiane, on the Mekong facing Thailand. Wattay International Airport serves the city, and the Laos to China railway starts from Vientiane station on the edge of town.
Do I need a visa for Laos?
It depends on your passport. Many visitors use the official Lao e-visa or a visa on arrival, while some nationalities, including most Southeast Asian ones, enter visa free for a set number of days. Check the official Lao e-visa site and your nearest Lao embassy before you book.
What money is used in Laos?
The Lao kip. Thai baht and US dollars are sometimes accepted in tourist areas, but kip is what you need day to day. ATMs are common in towns, and cash is essential in the countryside.
How many days do I need in Laos?
Ten days covers Vientiane, Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang. Two weeks lets you add Nong Khiaw or the far south at a relaxed pace.
Can BlissPoint Travel book my trip?
We are a free travel guide, not a tour operator. Use our trip planner to shape your route, and our partner links to compare flights and stays.
Ready to find your Bliss in Laos?
Use the free trip planner to shape your days, or send us a question through the contact page.