--- title: "Bicycle touring in Laos | Cycle Planet" description: "Cycling Laos: visa, border crossings, safety, transport, places to sleep and points of interest, from cyclists who were there." canonical_url: "https://cycleplanet.org/countries/laos" meta: "og:description": "Cycling Laos: visa, border crossings, safety, transport, places to sleep and points of interest, from cyclists who were there." "og:image": "https://cycleplanet.org/_og/d/c_Blauwdruk%2Ctitle_Bicycle%2Btouring%2Bin%2BLaos%2Cdescription_~Q3ljbGluZyBMYW9zOiB2aXNhLCBib3JkZXIgY3Jvc3NpbmdzLCBzYWZldHksIHRyYW5zcG9ydCwgcGxhY2VzIHRvIHNsZWVwIGFuZCBwb2ludHMgb2YgaW50ZXJlc3QsIGZyb20gY3ljbGlzdHMgd2hvIHdlcmUgdGhlcmUu%2Cheadline_South-Eastern%2BAsia%2CsiteName_Cycle%2BPlanet%2Clogo_CP%2Cp_Ii9jb3VudHJpZXMvbGFvcyI%2Cs_WU-ULc1oqPMnIqbi.png" "og:image:height": "600" "og:image:type": image/png "og:image:width": "1200" "og:title": "Bicycle touring in Laos" "twitter:image": "https://cycleplanet.org/_og/d/c_Blauwdruk%2Ctitle_Bicycle%2Btouring%2Bin%2BLaos%2Cdescription_~Q3ljbGluZyBMYW9zOiB2aXNhLCBib3JkZXIgY3Jvc3NpbmdzLCBzYWZldHksIHRyYW5zcG9ydCwgcGxhY2VzIHRvIHNsZWVwIGFuZCBwb2ludHMgb2YgaW50ZXJlc3QsIGZyb20gY3ljbGlzdHMgd2hvIHdlcmUgdGhlcmUu%2Cheadline_South-Eastern%2BAsia%2CsiteName_Cycle%2BPlanet%2Clogo_CP%2Cp_Ii9jb3VudHJpZXMvbGFvcyI%2Cs_WU-ULc1oqPMnIqbi.png" --- > Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://cycleplanet.org/llms.txt) South-Eastern Asia # Laos [**View on the map**](https://cycleplanet.org/map?at=19.85627,102.495496,6.5) [** Download GPX (2) **](https://cycleplanet.org/api/gpx/LA) ## **About ** No information about this yet. Been here? Help the next cyclist. [Add information](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/laos/edit/about) ## **People ** The population is friendly and hospitable. A little more commercial spirit would sometimes be welcome. As a cyclist you are a special attraction, in every village you will be greeted enthusiastically and followed by the children. Bernadette: "The population is very friendly. When I entered a village, I kept getting the feeling that I was the first tourist ever. Kids ran with me, waving while they yelled "sabajdie!" at me. After a while they leave you alone and go their own way. Sometimes they are very shy, both children and the elderly. The minority groups in Muang Sing can sometimes be pushy. You achieve a lot with humor. Many are now learning English and would like to practice it. Surprisingly many elderly people also speak English or French. They often try to teach you Lao and are very patient in this. Appropriate attire desired i.e. no very shorts or dresses, no bare bellies and no public affection, always be patient and smile. Cycling shorts are accepted as long as you are on the bike because this is sport. Covering arms and legs completely in temples is appreciated and advised." Last updated 26 May 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/laos/edit/people) ## **Visa ** Most nationalities need a visa to enter Laos. If you come from one of the neighboring countries, you can get the visa at the border crossing. You can easily have your visa extended, costs are approximately US $ 2.50 per day (price level 2015) + a fixed amount for the application (also approximately US $ 2.50). This can be done at the provincial police office in Luang Prabang ([**location**](https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=11/19.8837/102.1341)). There is always a night between application and delivery. [Enlarge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Visa_policy_of_Laos.png) Visa policy of Laos Laos Visa-free (30 days) Visa-free (15 days) or eVisa (30 days) Visa-free (14 days) or eVisa (30 days) Visa on arrival (30 days) or eVisa Visa required in advance Source: [**Wikipedia**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Laos). Last updated 26 May 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/laos/edit/visa) ## **Border crossings **(2) Sorted by most likes 1. [![Border crossing](https://cycleplanet.org/markers/Border.png)**1. Pakse (Laos) – Ubon Ratchathani (Thailand)**To ThailandYou can purchase a visa at the border crossing from Thailand to Pakse. Will cost fairly quickly: $ 35, for Germans and French $ 30. Furthermore 70 Baht for the… 1](https://cycleplanet.org/poi/8d95c0c8-f4ae-4a98-ac58-1d7c57b4233e) 2. [![Border crossing](https://cycleplanet.org/markers/Border.png)**2. Mohan (China) – Boten (Laos)**To ChinaAt the border crossing from China to Laos Boats you quickly get a Lao visa on the spot for 35 dollars plus a passport photo and two dollars 'service fee'. The…](https://cycleplanet.org/poi/c6f83710-3340-41b6-8083-c5ce9806da16) ## **Sleeping ** ### **(Formal) camping** Camping is very unusual. It is possible to spend the night in Buddhist temples. ### **Ho(s)tels** You will regularly find simple guesthouses in the villages along the main roads. Pay attention! Some guesthouses are also brothels. In a number of touristic places that are often visited by backpackers you will often find a wider choice of guesthouses. In 2013 you pay about 80,000 kip (= about 8 $) for a double room in tourist areas. In the lesser known places you can find cheaper accommodation. Last updated 26 May 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/laos/edit/sleeping) ## **Safety ** Cycling alone is no problem, not even as a woman. Laos is a very safe country. Laos is the most bombed country in the world (during the Vietnam War), many of the explosives did not detonate, almost the whole country was bombed, but the area around Phonsavan (plain of jars) was the worst affected. Never put your foot (or your bike or tent) in a place where someone has not clearly been before you. ### **Traffic** The road from Vientiane to Luang Prabang is safe. Not all roads in Laos are always completely safe. It is wise to inform yourself of the current situation. In general, the road conditions are poor, with the exception of some main connections. There is little traffic, a small number of passenger cars, a little truck traffic and a relatively large number of tourist buses and pick-ups. In and around the major cities, especially Vientiane, it is very busy with motorized traffic. Last updated 26 May 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/laos/edit/safety) ## **Transport ** ### **Train** From Thailand you can take the train to Nong Khai. From there you can cycle across the Friendship Bridge to Vientiane. ### **Bus** The bicycle can be transported without problems on top of a local bus without paying extra for it. ### **Boat** From Thailand you can reach Laos on the Mekong River. You can board in Chiang Khong, Nakhon Phanom or Thakhek, among others. Last updated 26 May 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/laos/edit/transport) ## **Food and drink ** Vegetarians can enjoy tasty salads and rice meals. There is not much for sale between the larger towns, sometimes only noodle soup. Then take enough water and food with you. There is always some glutinous rice for sale early in the morning, delicious on the go with fruit, etc. **Stalls on the street** There are regular stalls with water or (lukewarm) soft drinks and some biscuits, but not on all routes. There is nothing at all on the PakMong-LP route after the 1st 35km. Also bring your own in the mountains between LP and PhouKhoun. **Restaurants** Eating in sleeping places is not always so varied but always sufficient, also lots of fruit. Food is fairly reliable, use common sense. In larger towns they sell baguettes and good coffee. **Drinkable water** Tap water is not drinkable and often hardly available. Bottles of water (0.95 liters) are available everywhere. Don't throw the empty bottles away but give them to villagers, they like to reuse them. Last updated 26 May 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/laos/edit/foodDrink) ## **Other ** **Best time to cycle** Seasons (dry / wet) Laos has 2 seasons. The rainy season from May to October and the dry season from November to April. November - January: Fairly cool and dry in the north. It can freeze at night in January. In the south (Vientiane and further south in the lowlands) it can be quite warm up to 35 and sometimes 40 degrees. In February it can reach 30 degrees and sometimes a single shower. Rain in February or March is exceptional. From April it gets very hot with temperatures above thirty degrees. **Spare parts** Furthermore, bicycle parts are difficult to obtain in Laos, including 28-inch tires. 26-inch tires are widely available. Last updated 26 May 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/laos/edit/other) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/#website","@type":"WebSite","description":"Cycle Planet is the bicycle touring platform: visas, border crossings, places to sleep and points of interest per country, and a community of cyclists who host each other.","name":"Cycle Planet","url":"https://cycleplanet.org/","publisher":{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/#identity"}},{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/countries/laos#webpage","@type":"WebPage","description":"Cycling Laos: visa, border crossings, safety, transport, places to sleep and points of interest, from cyclists who were there.","name":"Bicycle touring in Laos","url":"https://cycleplanet.org/countries/laos","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/countries/laos#/schema/breadcrumb-list/#breadcrumb"},"isPartOf":{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/#website"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://cycleplanet.org/countries/laos"]}],"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/#logo"}},{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/#identity","@type":"Organization","email":"info@cycleplanet.org","name":"Cycle Planet","url":"https://cycleplanet.org/","logo":{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/#logo"},"sameAs":["https://www.instagram.com/cycle.planet","https://m.facebook.com/Cycle-Planet-100672311813208"]},{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/countries/laos#/schema/tourist-destination/1","@type":"TouristDestination","name":"Laos","touristType":"Bicycle tourers","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressCountry":"LA"},"geo":{"@type":"GeoCoordinates","latitude":19.85627,"longitude":102.495496}},{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/countries/laos#/schema/breadcrumb-list/#breadcrumb","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","name":"Home","item":"https://cycleplanet.org/","position":1},{"@type":"ListItem","name":"Countries","item":"https://cycleplanet.org/countries","position":2},{"@type":"ListItem","name":"Laos","item":"https://cycleplanet.org/countries/laos","position":3}]},{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/#logo","@type":"ImageObject","caption":"Cycle Planet","contentUrl":"https://cycleplanet.org/logo.png","inLanguage":"en","url":"https://cycleplanet.org/logo.png"}]} ``` ## Sitemap See the full [sitemap](https://cycleplanet.org/sitemap.md) for all pages.