Stay Connected
We're a small team of passionate travellers sharing what we've learned on the road. Get our best tips, route updates, and travel stories delivered to your inbox.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
In this in-depth route guide, you'll find the best ways to travel the 5 kilometre distance from Luang Prabang to Luang Prabang. Whether you prefer the scenic overnight train, a convenient bus+ferry combo, or the fastest flight option — we've got all the details you need.
There are 3 ways to get from Luang Prabang to Luang Prabang. You can choose between the taxi, tuk-tuk, shared minivan. The most affordable option is by taxi, starting from $100. The fastest route is by taxi (0h 20m).
Click a column header to sort. Click a row to jump to the full guide.
20m
$100
--
20m
$100
--
30m
$100
--
The most convenient option to get from Luang Prabang to Luang Prabang is by taxi. And the cheapest way to get one is through the local taxi-hailing app called Loca. Rates start from and the trip to your hotel takes about .
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. 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.
The tuk-tuk is a more local way to get from Luang Prabang to Luang Prabang. 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. 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.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
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.
Every route on GeckoRoutes is independently researched and regularly verified.
500+
ROUTES RESEARCHED
Every route is personally traveled and documented by our team, covering Southeast Asia's most popular and off-the-beaten-path connections.
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 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 , 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.
Monthly
UPDATES
Routes are reviewed on a regular cycle to catch schedule changes, new operators, and price updates. Every guide shows when it was last verified.
Verified
BY TRAVELERS
Tips and corrections from our community of travelers help keep routes accurate between team visits. Your experience makes this guide better for everyone.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep GeckoRoutes free and up to date.
Used the Songserm ferry from Koh Samui. Cheaper than Lomprayah but takes a bit longer. Still a perfectly fine crossing. The views approaching Koh Tao are stunning either way.
OOliver S.November 2025Ferry
Train via Surat Thani was our pick. More scenic than Chumphon route and the Lomprayah catamaran from Tapee Pier is very comfortable. Book the special express train for the quickest ride.
The overnight bus with Montanatip was okay but not great. The bus was older and the seats didn't recline much. Ferry portion was fine though. If you're on a tight budget it works.
Took the sleeper train to Chumphon — magical! Woke up to palm trees and transferred to the Lomprayah catamaran. Whole journey felt like an adventure.
Lomprayah bus+ferry combo from Khao San Road was seamless. Departed at 6am, arrived Koh Tao by 3pm. Well organized.
Flew to Koh Samui and took Lomprayah catamaran. More expensive but saved a full day. Worth it if your holiday is short.
Most travelers base themselves near the main beach for easy access to transport, restaurants, and activities.
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!
Leave a Comment