How to get from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
Why visit Luang Prabang?
Luang Prabang is the former royal capital of Laos. A beautiful fusion of traditional Lao architecture and colonial design, this ancient city sits at the junction of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. Luang Prabang lifts up your spirits with its 33 Buddhist temples and awakens your senses with its picturesque landscape.
Backdropped by mountains, adventurers will find plenty of things to do in Luang Prabang. You’ll find turquoise waterfalls, trekking trips and biking trails on the outskirts of town. Our favourite part? The friendly atmosphere and slow life that it was somehow able to maintain despite the growing number of tourists.
What are the 4 ways to travel from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang?
There are 4 ways to travel the 715 kilometre (444 miles) distance from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang. You can choose between the bus, minivan + slow boat (Combined Tickets), flight and minivan + slow boat (Separate Tickets). The journey takes 1 hour 25 minutes to 2 days 12 hours and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by minivan + slow boat (separate tickets) with tickets starting at 1,303,000 LAK ($59).
Where to stay in Luang Prabang?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Luang Prabang at the bottom of this page.
Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang by Flight
Taking a flight is the fastest way to get from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang. You can complete the journey in just 1 hour 25 minutes, including airport transfers.
It’s pricey, though, with fares from 3,721,000 LAK ($170).
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: How to get to Chiang Mai Airport
Chiang Mai International Airport is just 5 km away from the city centre. The easiest way to get there is by taxi, which takes about 15 minutes. Fares start from 150 THB ($4.60).
On a budget? You can also take a bus with prices from 30 THB ($0.90) or a tuk-tuk with rates from 100 THB ($3.10).
For more info, check out our detailed guide for Chiang Mai Airport.
Step 2: Flight from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
Lao Airlines is the sole carrier offering direct flights from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang. These aren’t available daily, though, only on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.
Indirect flights, on the other hand, are available every day. The usual stopover is in Bangkok, and travel time is at least 5 hours.
Airfares to Luang Prabang from Chiang Mai start from 3,519,000 LAK ($160). A direct flight takes only 50 minutes.
Step 3: Luang Prabang Airport to the City Centre
The most convenient way to get from Luang Prabang Airport to the city centre is by taxi. The 20-minute ride costs around 100,000 LAK ($4.50) when you book through the local taxi-hailing app Loca.
Airport taxis are also available, but much more expensive, with rates from 320,000 LAK ($14.50).
The tuk-tuk is a local alternative, and usually costs the same as a Loca taxi.
For more details, check out our complete guide for Luang Prabang Airport.
Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang by Minivan + Slow Boat (Combined Tickets)
A popular option when travelling from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang is the combined minivan and slow boat option.
We recommend booking a combined ticket with Terminal Green, so you can have all the adventure with less of the hassle.
The entire journey takes about 2 days 12 hours and ticket prices start at 1,760,000 LAK ($80).
What to expect with the combined minivan and slow boat ticket
You will be picked up by a minivan along Rachadamnoen Road in Chiang Mai city centre. This will take you to the Chiang Khong Immigration Office for your Thailand exit stamp.
A staff member will guide you across the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge and into the Laos Immigration Office.
Once you’re done processing your visa-on-arrival, you will be led to your hotel in Huay Xai, where you will spend the night at your own cost.
The next morning, a staff will pick you up from your hotel and bring you to the pier in Huay Xai, where your slow boat journey begins.
The combined minivan and slow boat service ends at Luang Prabang Pier, 7 km from the city centre.
Minivan + Slow Boat (Combined Tickets) options from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
Important notes
- This ticket covers your minivan and slow boat only.
- Your minivan ride to Huay Xai arrives in the afternoon, and slow boats depart only in the morning. So you’ll need to stay one night here at your own cost.
- The slow boat journey takes 2 days, with a stop in Pakbeng where you’ll spend another night. There are plenty of places to stay here — you can book ahead or on arrival.
- At Luang Prabang Pier, tuk-tuks often overcharge. Expect around 100,000 LAK ($4.50) per person to get to the city. Loca taxi is a more budget-friendly option for groups at about 150,000 LAK ($6.80) for a private transfer.
Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang by Minivan + Slow Boat (Separate Tickets)
If you’re up for a bit more planning, you can book your minivan and slow boat tickets separately instead of getting a combined deal.
This is easily the most adventurous way to travel from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang. It takes a little extra effort, but it gives you more flexibility along the way. It’s also a bit cheaper than the combined ticket.
Step 1: Minivan from Chiang Mai to Huay Xai
From Chiang Mai, the easiest way to get to Huay Xai is by minivan.
You can book one in advance through BookAway for 904,000 LAK ($41). This is a popular service in Chiang Mai, so you should also be able to ask your hotel for assistance in getting a ride.
The minivan from Chiang Mai to Huay Xai isn’t a completely direct ride. Like most overland transfers on this route, you’ll stop in Chiang Khong to get your Thai exit stamp.
From there, staff will guide you onto a shuttle bus that takes you across the Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge to the Laos Immigration Office.
Depending on the service you book, the journey may end right at the immigration office, your hotel in Huay Xai, or another drop-off point in town.
The trip from Chiang Mai to Huay Xai, including the border crossing, usually takes around 6h 30m.
Minivans normally arrive in Huay Xai in the afternoon. The slow boats bound for Luang Prabang depart in the morning. This means that you will have to spend at least one night in Huay Xai.
Step 2: Slow Boat from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang
The next morning in Huay Xai, we recommend getting to the pier before 09:00. This is the advertised departure time of the slow boats.
It’s worth noting that many travellers say the boats don’t actually depart until 10:30, sometimes even later. We recommend asking your hotel for the latest schedule.
You can buy your tickets at Huay Xai Slow Boat Pier for 400,000 LAK ($18.20). Many hotels also offer boat tickets for an additional cost.
What to expect from your slow boat journey
First, the ferry will cruise through the Mekong River for 8 hours. Then you arrive at the town of Pakbeng, where you will stay for one night.
The slow boat ticket doesn’t include your accommodation for the night in Pakbeng. You can book your stay in advance. But if you didn’t, don’t worry. There will be many locals offering rooms to stay in.
The key is to negotiate a good deal. Don’t expect much from the rooms but know that most are decent enough.
The next day, you board the slow boat again bound for Luang Prabang. This second leg of the ferry trip takes about 8 hours.
The slow boat docks at Luang Prabang Pier, around 7 km from the city centre. Many tuk-tuks are waiting here to give tourists a ride for 100,000 LAK ($4.50) per person. Travelling in a group? A Loca taxi costs around 150,000 LAK ($6.80) and works out cheaper.
Looking for a luxurious slow boat experience?
While adventurous, the slow boat experience from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang can be uncomfortable. The good thing is, you can make it a bit more luxurious if you have the budget for it.
There are tour companies offering “luxury cruises” for this route. Their packages often include a sumptuous lunch for both days of the cruise, as well as your accommodation in Pakbeng.
They also carry fewer people on the boat, more space for you to stretch your legs and comfortably enjoy the view as you cruise along the Mekong River.
One of the most popular tour companies offering luxury cruises between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang is Nagi of Mekong. Rates start from 3,519,000 LAK ($160) for the 2-day slow boat trip, lunch on both days, and a one-night accommodation in Pakbeng.
Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang by Bus
We don’t recommend travelling by bus from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang. It literally takes a full day of travelling, around 22 hours 30 minutes to 23 hours 30 minutes.
With ticket prices from 1,617,000 LAK ($74), you also don’t save much by taking a bus for this route. Might as well take a combined minivan and slow boat and make it an adventure.
Banana Leaf Tour, Yortdoy Travel and LaoLuang Travel are some of the companies offering bus trips to Luang Prabang from Chiang Mai.
What to expect from your bus journey
First of all, it will not be a direct bus. There’s usually a stopover in Chiang Rai, and then at Chiang Khong, where you will get your exit stamp for Thailand.
And then, you will cross the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge by bus. This will take you to the Laos Immigration Office in Huay Xai.
After completing your visa-on-arrival, you can then take the bus the rest of the way to Luang Prabang.
Note that there’s a chance that your journey from Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong will be via a minivan, not a bus.
Keep in mind that for the Laos side of the journey, you’ll be travelling on a sleeper bus — with flatbeds that fit 2 persons. If you’re travelling solo and don’t want to share the bed with a stranger, you’ll have to buy 2 tickets for the ride.
Bus schedules from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
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Departure and arrival stations
Most buses and minivans depart from Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3, about 4 km from the city centre.
The bus will pass by Luang Prabang city centre before making its last stop at Sokprasert Bus Station.
Best places to stay in Luang Prabang
Manichan Guesthouse - Mid Range
The Manichan Guesthouse is the perfect location, just a 5-minute walk from the Night Market, National Museum and plenty of other sights. The rooms are spacious, comfortable and clean and come with your choice of fan or air conditioning. A delicious breakfast is included daily with your stay and there is a restaurant on location for your convenience.
- Ideal location
- Walking distance to many sights
- Breakfast included
- Restaurant on-site
Private rooms start at $30 per night
Sakaodeuan Hotel & Travel - Treating Yourself
Sakaodeuan Hotel located within the Old Town of Luang Prabang is in an ideal location to explore some of the city’s best sights. You’re less than 1km away from both Mount Phousy and the Night Market.
The rooms are spacious, comfortable and clean. One of the best things about this hotel are the staff who are there to help you with anything. And the complimentary breakfast is a highlight of the stay. It’s delicious!
- Located in the Old Town
- Spacious and comfortable rooms
- Amazing staff
- Delicious free breakfast
Double rooms start from $75 per night.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Frequently Asked Questions about Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
What is the distance from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang?
The distance from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang is 715 kilometre (444 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang?
The fastest way to get from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang is by flight and takes 1 hour 25 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang?
The cheapest way to get from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang is by minivan + slow boat (separate tickets) with ticket costs starting from 1,303,000 LAK ($59).
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
