How do I get to Laos from England?
Fly from major English airports like London Heathrow (LHR) to Laos. Direct flights aren't available, expect one or more stops. Common destinations are Luang Prabang (LPQ), Vientiane (VTE), and occasionally Ubon Ratchathani (UBP) in Thailand, requiring onward travel. Flights from London typically start around £800 and take 16+ hours. Other UK airports like Birmingham, Manchester, and Newcastle also offer connecting flights.
England to Laos: Best Travel Routes?
Okay, so you wanna ditch London for Laos? Let me tell ya, it’s quite a trek.
London to Laos: Travel Options
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Flights: Direct flights aren’t a thing, sadly. Consider routes via Luang Prabang (LPQ), Ubon Ratchathani (UBP), or Vientiane (VTE).
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Multi-Modal: Plane, train, bus, might be cheaper…slower though.
Flying is def the fastest.
From Heathrow (LHR), expect flights to Laos with one stop from around 36,797,336₫ and taking 16h 20m+. Other departure airports, like Birmingham, Bristols, Manchester, Newcastle may involve 2+ stops costing about 46,256,809₫ (17h 30m+), 69,503,069₫ (21h 45m+), 46,208,441₫ (17h 20m+), 39,552,694₫ (17h 20m+) respectively.
I personally flew London to Bangkok then connected to Vientiane back in January 2018, cost me about £700. Long days, man. Totally worth it though, once you’re sipping Beerlao by the Mekong. I think i flew with Thai Airways but am not sure.
Do UK citizens need a visa to enter Laos?
Laos… Sixty days. Melting into saffron robes. Dust motes dancing in temple light. 2024 ends… thirty days then. Whispers of longer stays, lost in time. Visa. Needed. Always needed. British passport… A small blue book. Unlocking doors to fading empires. Embassy. Multiple entries. A different path. Lost in the Mekong’s flow. Time stretches, bends. Sunlight thick and slow. January first, 2025. A dividing line. Thirty days. Less time to breathe the incense. Sixty days. A lifetime. Lost in the echoes of gongs. British passport… Small. Blue. Heavy with possibility. The weight of visas… A phantom limb.
- Visa required: British citizens must obtain a visa.
- Single-entry visa (until Dec 31, 2024): 60-day stay.
- Tourist visa (from Jan 1, 2025): 30-day stay.
- Multiple-entry visa: Only available from Lao Embassy. Before.
How much is a Laos visa from the UK?
Okay, Laos visa… gosh.
Right, so last year, 2024, I flew into Vientiane, right? I remember sweating buckets at the airport. Getting a Laos visa on arrival was surprisingly easy, though!
It cost me $35 USD. I think. I’d saved up for that trip. Or, 1500 Thai Baht.
I had my UK passport, obviously, plus a passport photo. They checked them, stamped stuff, and boom, visa! I was worried they wouldn’t like my hastily taken picture, tbh.
They really checked carefully. No issues, thankfully.
What I remember about that day:
- The heat. Oh my god, the heat!
- Form filling. So. Much. Form filling.
- Finding a working pen. A genuine challenge.
- Trying not to look like a total clueless tourist.
Always bring USD. Makes things so much easier, especially at airports. Cash is king!
Can I get a visa for Laos on arrival?
Laos visa. 30 days. On arrival. At the airport. Wait, where else? Land borders, right? Sixty more days. Immigration office. Vientiane. Gotta remember that. eVisa too. Some places. Website. That gov one. laoevisa.gov.la. Ugh, typing that on my phone. Need to write it down. Border crossing. Which one? Friend went last year. No, this year. 2024. Paid 35 bucks. US dollars. Passport. Photo. Easy peasy. Extension. More paperwork. Immigration office. Vientiane. Thirty days enough? Probably not. Better plan that extension. Sixty days extra. * That’s good. Need cash. Kip. US dollars work too. Wonder what the exchange rate is now. Phone battery dying. Need to charge it. Oh, the website… gotta check that later. laoevisa.gov.la. Bookmarked. That’s it. Think I’m good. Border crossing… better double-check which one.
How much is a Laos visa on arrival for UK?
Laos visa on arrival? For Brits, that’ll be $35. Or, hey, 1,500 Thai baht. Whatevs. Just flash that UK passport and a passport photo – and, like, bam!, you’re in. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy, right?
Seriously, though, kinda makes you wonder if they take bottle caps as currency. I mean, it’s Laos, not Fort Knox! Anyway, here’s the real deal:
- The Fee: $35 USD or 1,500 Thai baht. Choice is yours. I’d go with whatever’s rattling around in your pocket.
- Passport: Needs to be valid, duh. For at least six months. Otherwise, they might think you’re planning to overstay, like my cousin Gary. Bad Gary.
- Photo: Passport-sized photo is mandatory. Unless you can convince them your selfie is close enough. Worth a shot, maybe?
- Cash is King: Don’t expect to whip out your Amex. Laos loves cold, hard cash. Just a heads up!
- Other nationalities may vary: The prices are specific to UK passports. I don’t know about your weird passport.
Also, remember to fill out the arrival card thingy. And try not to spill your Beerlao on it. That’s considered bad form.
Can I travel to Laos right now?
Yes, Laos is open for tourism. Travel is permitted.
Visa requirements exist; plan ahead. Apply in advance – it’s non-negotiable. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination may be required too. (Regulations, you know? Always shifting.)
Laos has captivating temples and the people are really kind. Don’t miss the chance to explore. Sometimes, I wonder if travel broadens the mind or merely confirms existing biases.
- Visa Info: Check the Lao embassy/consulate website in your area. Policies change, of course.
- COVID-19 protocols: These things change constantly. Verify the latest requirements with your airline or a Lao embassy.
What else? Oh, Luang Prabang is worth the detour. Trust me! The alms giving ceremony is amazing, if you can wake up early.
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