How to Get From Luang Prabang Airport to Luang Prabang City Centre
Private · Tuk-tuk · Minivan
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In this in-depth route guide, you'll find the best ways to travel the 5 kilometre (3 miles) distance from Luang Prabang Airport to Luang Prabang City Centre. By the end of this guide, you'll know exactly how to get there — whether you want to travel on a budget, reach Luang Prabang City Centre as fast as possible, or enjoy the ride in comfort. We base our information on verified schedules, ticket prices, and on-the-ground insights from recent travellers.
Written by Maarten
Founder & Trip Planning Expert
Last updated 2 weeks ago
What are the 3 ways to travel from Luang Prabang Airport to Luang Prabang City Centre?
There are three ways to travel the 5 km distance from Luang Prabang Airport to Luang Prabang City Centre. You can choose between the private, tuk-tuk, and minivan.
The journey takes between 20m–30m and the quickest way is by private (20m). If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by private with tickets starting at 100,000 LAK ($4.60).
20m
100,000 LAK ($4.60)
20 minutes
100,000 LAK ($4.60)
20 - 30 minutes
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 Luang Prabang City Centre by Taxi
The most convenient option to get from Luang Prabang Airport to Luang Prabang 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 20m.
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 ($15). 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 598,000 LAK ($28) for a 3-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s about 199,000 LAK ($9.20) per person.
Private transport from Luang Prabang Airport to city centre
Ready to book your private transport?
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.
Ready to book your private transport?
Luang Prabang Airport to Luang Prabang City Centre by Tuk-tuk
The tuk-tuk is a more local way to get from Luang Prabang Airport to Luang Prabang 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 Luang Prabang 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 - 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.
Our favourite places to stay in Luang Prabang
Here are our favourite places to stay in Luang Prabang for every budget.
Manichan Guesthouse
- Ideal location
- Walking distance to many sights
- Breakfast included
- Restaurant on-site
Sakaodeuan Hotel & Travel
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 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
The distance from Luang Prabang to Luang Prabang is 5 km.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
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.
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About the Author
Founder & Trip Planning Expert
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.
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