Flying to Laos

General Information

Of the fifteen or so airports in the country, three stand out. First and foremost is the capital, Vientiane, which handles 2 to 2.5 million passengers annually, accounting for two-thirds of the country's air traffic. It is followed by Luang Prabang with around one million passengers and Pakse, which sees approximately 200,000. Overall, the country's air traffic remains relatively modest.

However, for many Western travelers, trips to the region often start with Bangkok, or even neighboring Cambodia or Vietnam, which are much better connected. Some travelers then continue from there to Laos via a regional flight. As a result, Laos' air traffic largely depends on its numerous connections to China, which is also the country's top source of tourists.

Local Airlines

There are only three local airlines in Laos. The most prominent is Lao Airlines, the national carrier, which serves around twenty domestic and regional destinations. The smaller Lao Skyway and Lanexang Airways operate only domestic flights.

From France and Elsewhere

It’s very straightforward: there are no direct flights to Laos from France, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Oceania, or the Americas. Air travel here is limited to domestic routes and neighboring countries, with the furthest connections being China, Seoul in South Korea, Singapore, and especially Bangkok, which serves as the main transit hub for most Western visitors. As a result, the journey can often be quite long, with average prices ranging between 850 and 1,000 €.

Additional Information