Overview
Vientiane is one of South-East Asia's most laid-back capital cities – a low-rise town on the Mekong where gilded stupas, French-colonial shophouses and slow river sunsets set the pace. For UK travellers it usually works as the calm start or finish to a wider Laos or Indochina trip, often paired with Luang Prabang or a hop into Thailand or Vietnam. There are no direct flights from the UK, so every routing involves at least one change, but connections through the big Asian hubs are frequent and reliable. Check the price charts on this page to see how current fares to Vientiane are moving before you book.
Best time to fly to Vientiane
The dry season from November to February is the most comfortable time to visit, with warm days, cooler evenings and low humidity – it is also the busiest, so book early. March to May turns very hot, often above 35°C, while the wet season from May to October brings heavy afternoon downpours that rarely last all day and leave the countryside lush and green. The When to book chart above shows how prices typically shift across the year.
Airlines and routes
No airline flies non-stop from the UK to Vientiane, so you will connect through an Asian hub. Popular options include Thai Airways via Bangkok, Vietnam Airlines via Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore Airlines via Singapore, and Qatar Airways or Emirates via Doha or Dubai. The final short leg into Wattay is usually flown by Lao Airlines, Thai Airways or Bangkok Airways. From London, allow around 15–19 hours in total with one stop; from Manchester, expect roughly 18–22 hours, as you will normally connect twice.
Things to do in Vientiane
Compact and walkable, Vientiane rewards an unhurried day or two. Highlights include:
- Pha That Luang: the golden stupa that is the national symbol of Laos.
- Patuxai: the city's victory monument, with rooftop views over the boulevards.
- Wat Si Saket: Vientiane's oldest surviving temple, lined with thousands of small Buddha images.
- Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan): a surreal riverside sculpture garden about 25km from the centre.
- COPE Visitor Centre: a moving, free museum on the country's unexploded-ordnance legacy.
At Wattay International Airport (VTE)
Wattay sits just 3–4km west of the city centre, one of the shortest airport transfers in the region. Official taxis use a fixed-price coupon desk in the arrivals hall and reach most central hotels in 10–15 minutes. Many hotels offer pickups, and ride-hailing apps operate in the city. There is no rail link.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Vientiane
- Book the UK–Asia legs around two to four months ahead, and longer for peak December and January travel.
- Fly midweek where you can – Tuesday and Wednesday departures are often cheaper than weekends.
- Use flexible-date searches to compare routing via Bangkok, Hanoi, Singapore or the Gulf.
- Consider a low-cost London–Bangkok fare plus a separate budget hop to Vientiane, leaving plenty of connection time.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders need a visa for Laos. Most travellers use the visa on arrival at Wattay or apply through the official Lao eVisa site beforehand; you will need a passport valid for at least six months and a passport photo. The currency is the Lao kip – carry cash, as cards are accepted only in larger hotels and restaurants, though ATMs are available in the city. Check the latest NHS Fit for Travel and GOV.UK advice on vaccinations and entry rules before you travel.
