Transportation in Xieng Khouang

Located 435 kilometres northeast of the capital Vientiane, Xieng Khouang's landscape consists mostly of mountains and hills. The province offers tourists a chance to see the spectacular beauty of high green mountains and rugged karsts that surround north-eastern Laos. Travel within Laos is much simpler than what travellers might imagine. Most visitors coming to Laos fly in from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport. While Laos Airlines and Thai International Airways (THAI) have daily flights between Bangkok and Vientiane Wattay International Airport (VTE), Bangkok Airways operates daily flights between Bangkok and Luang Prabang International Airport.

The easiest way to get to Xieng Khouang would be to fly in from Vientiane, the capital of Laos.

Use our Xieng Khouang Province Transportation Guide to get more details on how to get to Phonsavan and the Plain of Jars, and also how to get around. It can also be used in conjunction with our Laos Transportation Guide and our Xieng Khouang Destination Guide to help you best plan your transport options.

Xieng Khouang Transportation Guide

Getting to Xieng Khouang

By Air

Phonsavan Airport (also called Xieng Khouang Airport) is located just 4 kilometres west of Phonsavan. Laos Airlines operates flights to and from Vientiane five times a week and Luang Prabang twice a week. However, the schedules change depending on the season.

By Bus

Buses ply daily between Phonsavan and Vientiane via Vang Vieng (9 hours), and also to Luang Prabang (8 hours). Route 7 begins 150 kilometres (or 93 miles) north of Vientiane and the ridge-top scenery is marvellous. The main bus station of Phonsavan is on Route 7, which is 4 kilometres west of the town. Many buses, however, still pass by the old bus station located near the dry market in Phonsavan.

Getting to Vietnam

Buses also go all the way through to Vinh in Vietnam, an 11 hour journey, departing Phonsavan at 6.30am on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. 

By Road

The best and most direct road from Luang Prabang to Xieng Khouang Province is Route 13 south to Muang Phou Khoun and then Route 7 east. A scenic, although long-winded and convoluted, route is via Nong Khiaw. From here, you can travel to Phonsavan via Vieng Thong on Route 1 or Nam Nouan.

Getting around Phonsavan

Tuk tuk's are the most popular way of getting around Phonsavan.

By Public Bus

Xieng Khouang travel is pretty easy, There are public buses and sǎwngthǎew to Muang Kham (two hours, four daily), Muang Sui (one hour, three daily) and Nong Haet (four hours, four daily). As your Phonsavan hotel or guesthouse for more information.

Getting to the Plain of Jars

Plain of Jars Site 1, Thong Hai Hin, is located around a 30 minute drive from Phonsavan. You can get there by Public Bus (head to Lat Khai, US$1, 30 minutes, one daily), or tuk tuk. Although probably the best way of exploring the area is on one of the locally led Plain of Jars tours.