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Cheap Flights to Laos

Cheap Flights Ticket to Laos -

Tickets

Unless you're in a country bordering Laos, your first mission is to find a flight to Bang­kok. Luckily there are plenty of flights to the Thai capital, but fares fluctuate sharply. Generally, you'll pay less but it will take longer if you fly to Bangkok with a stop on the way. For example, if you're flying from the UK you'll probably get a better deal with airlines such as Gulf Air, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Garuda or, for those on the breadline, Biman Bangladesh - all of which involve a stop in the airline's home city - than you would on a direct flight with British Airways or Thai International Airways (THAI). Once you're in Bangkok, there are trains, planes and buses heading to Laos.

 

Asia

Almost any travel agency in Asia can book you a flight to Laos. STA Travel is always a safe bet, and has branches in Bangkok (HI 02-236 0262; www.statravel.co.th), Singapore (@ 6737 7188; www.statravel.com.sg) and Japan (@ 03 5391 2922; www.statravel.co.jp) among others. In Hong Kong try Concorde Travel (2375 2232; www.concorde-travel.com).

The only flights directly into Laos come from the following four countries - all prices listed are for one-way flights.

 

                                                                                       CAMBODIA
Phnom Penh
Between Phnom Penh and Vientiane (US$145) there are two flights a week with Lao Airlines (stopping in Pakse) and a daily direct flight with Vietnam Airlines.
Siem Reap
Lao Airlines flies between Siem Reap and Vientiane (US$110, 2V4 hours) five times a week, stopping at Pakse (US$70, 50 min­utes). From November to March there are two more flights between Siem Reap and Pakse that continue to Luang Prabang (US$135). Bangkok Airways should also be flying between Pakse and Siem Reap by the time you read this.

                                                                                         

                                                                                           CHINA
Kunming
Lao Airlines shares three services a week be­tween Kunming and Vientiane (US$120, 2/4 hours) with China Eastern Airlines.
 

                                                                                        THAILAND

Bangkok

THAI has one flight daily between Bangkok and Vientiane (about 5000B, 70 minutes), while Lao Airlines has two flights in each direction (US$99); discounts are available in THAI.

DEPARTURE TAX

The international departure tax is US$15, payable in kip, baht or US dollars.

Some people save money by flying from Bangkok to Udon Thani in Thailand and then carrying on by road to Nong Khai, over the Friendship Bridge to Vientiane .Udoi Thani is 55km south of Nong Khai and Bang-kok-Udon tickets on Thai Air Asia (wwv .airasia.com) start at about 1300B.

Bangkok Airways flies daily between Bang­kok and Luang Prabang (5000B, 1% hours), and Lao Airlines has three flights a wee! For US$120.

Bangkok Airways should be flying be tween Bangkok and Pakse by the time you read this.

Chiang Mai

Lao Airlines has five flights a week between Vientiane and Chiang Mai (US$111, 2& hours) via Luang Prabang (US$85, one hour).

                                                                                    

                                                                                       VIETNAM

Hanoi

There are 10 flights a week between Vientiane and Hanoi - three on Lao Airline; (US$115, one hour) and the rest on Vietnam Airlines for slightly more. Lao Airline also flies between Hanoi and Luang Praban; (US$112, one hour).

Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam Airlines flies from Ho Chi Mini City to Vientiane (US$140, three hours daily, via Phnom Penh.

                                                                                      

                                                                                       Australia

Qantas, THAI, British Airways and seven other airlines fly to Bangkok from Sydney Melbourne and Perth, with discount fare starting at about a$900 return (once you added in all the taxes). For online booking also check www.travel.com.au. Flight Centre (133133; www.flightcentre.com.au) STA Travel (1300 733 035; www.statravel.com.au)

                                                                                       

                                                                                        Canada

Fares from Canada arc similar to those from the US. Travel Cuts (is; 866-246 9762; www.travelcuts.com) is Canada's national student travel agency.

                                                                        

                                                                            Continental Europe

Europeans can pick up discounted seats from about €550. Middle Eastern airlines are usually cheapest. The following agents are worth a look:

Ustminute (www.lastminute.com) Click through to various national sites.

Nouvelles Frontieres {@ 0825-000 747; wwwnouvelles-frontieres.fr)

OTU Voyages ((S) 01-5582 3232

Specialising in student and youth travellers.

STA Travel (01805-456 422; www.statravel.de)

Voyages Wasteels (www.wasteels.fr)

 

                                                                                    New Zealand

Both Flight Centre ((D 0800-243 544; www.flightcentre.co.nz) and STA Travel (® 0800-474 400; www.statravel.co.nz) have branches throughout the country. Low season fares start at NZ$1250.

 

                                                                                       The UK

It's not hard to find a bargain from London to Bangkok, with discount prices starting at about £350. Gulf Air, Emirates, KLM and Lufthansa are worth looking at. Check the weekend broadsheet newspapers, Time Out, the Evening Standard and TNT magazine for offers.

Recommended agencies: North-South Travel (fD 01245-608 291; www .northsouthtravel.co.uk) Donates some profit to projects in the developing world.

STA Travel ((sj 0871-230 0040; www.statravel.co.uk) Trailfinders ( (h; 0845-058 5858; www.trailfinders.co.uk) Travel Bag (f! 0870-814 4441, toll free 0800 082 5000; www.travelbag.co.uk)

 

                                                                                   The USA

Fares from New York to Bangkok range widely, with the cheapest (via places like Moscow) starting at about US$850 return in the low season. From Los Angeles it's cheaper, and more direct, with airlines like Philippine Airlines, China Airlines, Eva Air and American Airlines. Nondiscounted fares are several hundred dollars more. The fol­lowing are good for online comparisons and bookings:

Cheapflights.com (www.cheapflights.com) Cheap Tickets (www.cheaptickets.com) Expedia (www.expedia.com) Orbitz (www.orbitz.com) STA Travel (www.statravel.com)