Overview
Pakse is the laid-back gateway to southern Laos, a riverside city where the Mekong and Se Don rivers meet in Champasak province. Most UK travellers use it as the springboard for the Bolaven Plateau's waterfalls and coffee farms, the Si Phan Don (4,000 Islands) archipelago, and the UNESCO-listed temple ruins of Wat Phu. It's a quieter, more authentic alternative to Laos's better-known northern towns, and flights to Pakse have become steadily easier to piece together from the UK in recent years.
Best time to fly to Pakse
The dry season, from November to February, is the best time to fly to Pakse — daytime temperatures sit in the mid-20s to low 30s Celsius, skies are clear and river trips to Si Phan Don run smoothly. March and April turn hot and hazy ahead of the rains. The wet season, roughly May to October, brings the Bolaven Plateau's waterfalls to their most dramatic, though heavier rain can occasionally disrupt boat travel around the islands. Fares can dip outside the November–February peak, so it's worth checking the When to book chart above for the cheapest windows.
Airlines and routes
There are no direct flights to Pakse from the UK, so every journey involves at least one change of aircraft. The most common routing is a long-haul flight from London (or another major UK airport) to a hub such as Bangkok, Singapore, Doha or Dubai with carriers including Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways or Emirates, followed by a connecting flight into Pakse via Bangkok or Vientiane, typically operated by Lao Airlines. Allow roughly 16–20 hours door-to-door once connections are included, with the final regional hop usually around 1–1.5 hours.
Things to do in Pakse
Pakse itself is compact and easy to explore on foot, but its real draw is as a base for day trips across Champasak province.
- Wat Phu Champasak: a UNESCO World Heritage pre-Angkorian temple complex set dramatically against a mountain backdrop, around an hour's drive south.
- Bolaven Plateau: a cool, fertile highland region famous for its coffee plantations and waterfalls, including the towering Tad Fane and popular Tad Yuang.
- Si Phan Don (4,000 Islands): a tranquil stretch of the Mekong dotted with river islands, where boat trips offer a chance to spot rare Irrawaddy dolphins near Don Khon.
- Champasak Old Town: the former royal capital, with faded colonial architecture and a slower pace of life along the riverfront.
- Pakse Riverside and Market: the city's own night market and Mekong-side promenade, good for local food and a first taste of southern Lao life.
At Pakse International Airport (PKZ)
Pakse International Airport sits only a few kilometres north of the city centre, making it one of the more convenient airports in Laos to arrive at. There's no train or public bus link, but metered taxis and tuk-tuks wait outside arrivals and the ride into town typically takes 10–15 minutes. Many guesthouses and hotels can also arrange airport pickup in advance, which is worth doing if you're arriving late in the evening.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Pakse
- Book your flights to Pakse from the UK around two to three months ahead of travel, especially for the popular November–February dry season.
- Flying midweek, rather than at weekends, often unlocks lower fares on both the long-haul and connecting legs.
- Keep your travel dates flexible where possible — shifting departure by even a few days can make a noticeable difference to the total fare.
- Compare routings via different hubs, as pricing through Bangkok, Singapore or Vientiane can vary significantly depending on the season — the price charts on this page make this easy to check at a glance.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders need a visa for Laos; this is available as a visa on arrival at Pakse airport or in advance as an e-visa, generally valid for around 30 days, with the fee payable in US dollars and a passport photo required. Your passport should have at least six months' validity remaining. The local currency is the Lao Kip, though US dollars are widely accepted for tours, hotels and larger purchases, so it's worth bringing some cash rather than relying solely on cards. Routine travel vaccinations are recommended, and it's sensible to check the latest health and entry advice on gov.uk before you travel, particularly regarding malaria precautions if you're heading to rural areas around the Bolaven Plateau.
