Overview
Laos is the quiet heart of Southeast Asia: a landlocked country of misty mountains, Mekong sunsets and saffron-robed monks, best enjoyed slowly. There are no direct flights to Laos from the UK, so every journey involves one connection through an Asian or Gulf hub — but the routing is straightforward and the arrival is worth it.
Best time to fly to Laos
The cool, dry season from November to March is the most comfortable time to visit, with clear skies over Luang Prabang and pleasant evenings. April and May turn very hot, while the green season from roughly May to October brings afternoon downpours, lush scenery, full waterfalls and fewer visitors. For the best mix of weather and value, and to judge when to fly, see the price charts on this page.
Main gateway cities & airports
Most UK travellers fly into Wattay International Airport (VTE) in the capital, Vientiane, or Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ) in the north, the handier gateway for the UNESCO-listed old town. Pakse (PKZ) in the south is a smaller option for the Bolaven Plateau and the 4000 Islands.
Airlines and routes
No airline flies non-stop between the UK and Laos. The most reliable one-stop routes connect through Bangkok with Thai Airways, then a short hop on Lao Airlines or Bangkok Airways. You can also travel via Singapore with Singapore Airlines, via Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City with Vietnam Airlines, or via Doha and Dubai with Qatar Airways and Emirates. From London, allow around 15 to 18 hours in total including the connection; from Manchester you will usually transit a Gulf hub or Bangkok, adding a little more time.
Popular places to visit in Laos
- Luang Prabang: gilded temples, dawn alms-giving and the turquoise tiers of Kuang Si Falls in a walkable riverside town.
- Vientiane: an unhurried capital with the golden Pha That Luang stupa, a Mekong night market and the moving COPE visitor centre.
- Vang Vieng: dramatic limestone karsts, blue lagoons, caves and gentle kayaking on the Nam Song river.
- Plain of Jars: thousands of mysterious Iron Age stone jars scattered across the hills near Phonsavan.
- 4000 Islands: sleepy Mekong islets in the far south, home to rare Irrawaddy dolphins and the roaring Khone Phapheng Falls.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Laos
- Use the When to book chart above to spot the cheapest weeks; midweek departures and shoulder-season dates usually cost less.
- Compare the whole journey, not just the first flight — a Bangkok connection with an overnight can beat a pricey same-day transfer.
- Fly into one city and out of another, such as in to Luang Prabang and out of Vientiane, to avoid backtracking.
- Book your long-haul legs two to five months ahead, as Laos routes have limited capacity and few last-minute bargains.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders need a visa for Laos. Most travellers use the official online eVisa or buy a visa on arrival at Wattay and Luang Prabang airports, normally valid for 30 days; carry a passport with at least six months validity and a spare passport photo. The currency is the Lao kip (LAK), though US dollars and Thai baht are sometimes accepted, and cash is essential outside the main cities. To time your booking, check the When to book chart above.
