Bus Travel

A network of bus services covers almost the entire country. Though cheap, bus travel is slow and not as comfortable as in Thailand. VIP buses, which connect Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Pakse, are somewhat more comfortable—they have assigned seats and more legroom, and make fewer stops. Minivan service, common between cities, costs slightly more than the bus, but it's quicker and some companies pick up passengers at their hotels. Sleeper buses travel between Vientiane and Pakse, but beds are less than 6 feet long, so tall folks may want to buy both spots in what is essentially one shared small bed.