How to get from Luang Prabang Airport to the city centre
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 3 ways to travel from Luang Prabang Airport to the city centre?
There are 3 ways to travel the 5 kilometre (3 miles) distance from Luang Prabang Airport to the city centre. You can choose between the shared minivan, taxi and tuk-tuk. The journey takes 20 to 30 minutes and the quickest way is by shared minivan. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by shared minivan with tickets starting at 100,000 LAK ($4.60).
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.
Luang Prabang Airport to the city centre by Taxi
The most convenient option to get from Luang Prabang Airport to the city centre is by taxi. And the cheapest way to get one is through the local taxi-hailing app called Loca. Rates start from 100,000 LAK ($4.60) and the trip to your hotel takes about 20 minutes.
Another option is to take an airport taxi. You can find the taxi counters near the exits of the arrival hall. They’re more expensive, though, with fares from 320,000 LAK ($14.80). The price is fixed depending on where your hotel is located.
Most hotels offer airport pickup for the same price as an airport taxi, so you can also consider arranging this with your accommodation beforehand.
Pre-book your private transfer
If you prefer to have your private transport waiting for you as soon as you arrive, you can book in advance through BookAway. Rates start from 593,000 LAK ($27.50) for a 3-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s about 198,000 LAK ($9.20) per person.
Private transport from Luang Prabang Airport to city centre
Private transport from city centre to Luang Prabang Airport
To get to Luang Prabang Airport, you can hail a taxi or ask your hotel to arrange one. But here too, we recommend hailing a taxi through Loca instead. Same as the taxis from the airport, a ride costs about 100,000 LAK ($4.60).
Alternatively, you can pre-book your private transfer via BookAway.
Luang Prabang Airport to the city centre by Tuk-tuk
The tuk-tuk is a more local way to get from Luang Prabang Airport to the city centre. It used to be the cheapest option for this route. But nowadays, it’s often the same price (or sometimes even more expensive) than Loca.
Rates for the 20-minute tuk-tuk ride between the city centre and Luang Prabang Airport cost around 100,000 LAK ($4.60). That’s a pretty standard rate for this route. So in case the driver tries to give you a much higher rate, it’s time to bring out your haggling skills.
Note that you cannot find tuk-tuks inside the airport premises. You have to go outside the gates of Luang Prabang Airport to find one. Also, keep in mind that Laotian tuk-tuks don’t provide much legroom.
Luang Prabang Airport to the city centre by Shared Minivan
Shared minivans are widely available at Luang Prabang International Airport. However, we don’t really see the advantage of taking one.
A shared minivan ride costs 100,000 LAK ($4.60) per person, the same price you would pay for a Loca taxi or a tuk-tuk — both private transfers.
But in case there are no cheap private transfers available on the day of your trip, it’s worth knowing that shared minivans are available just outside the arrivals hall. Travel time is 20 to 30 minutes, depending on your drop-off point.
For more details on getting around Laos, visa requirements, and the best places to visit, check out our complete Laos travel guide.
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 Luang Prabang Airport to the city centre. 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 Luang Prabang Airport to the city centre
What is the distance from Luang Prabang Airport to the city centre?
The distance from Luang Prabang Airport to the city centre is 5 kilometre (3 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Luang Prabang Airport to the city centre?
The fastest way to get from Luang Prabang Airport to the city centre is by shared minivan and takes 20 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Luang Prabang Airport to the city centre?
The cheapest way to get from Luang Prabang Airport to the city centre is by shared minivan with ticket costs starting from 100,000 LAK ($4.60).
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.
