Laos - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 356

been enshrined in the original Khmer
temple that once occupied the site.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
By air Wattay International Airport is 6km northwest of
downtown Vientiane. Airport facilities include visa-on-arrival
(around $35 plus one photo; see p.345) and exchange
services. The only o cial way to get into town from the
airport itself is to take a taxi (car $7, minivan $8). To save cash,

walk out to Luang Prabang Avenue, a few hundred metres
from the terminal, and hail an eastbound sawngthaew
(10,000K). These usually stop at the Talat Sao bus station, but
will drop you off anywhere along the route if requested.
Destinations Bangkok, Thailand (3-4 daily; 1hr 5min);
Hanoi, Vietnam (2 daily; 1hr 10min); Houayxai (1-2 daily;
55min); Kunming, China (2 daily; 1hr 20min); Luang Namtha
(daily; 55min); Luang Prabang (4 daily; 50min); Oudomxai
(1-2 daily; 50min); Pakse (2 daily; 1hr 15min); Phnom Penh,

5

Patouxai (500m), That Luang (2km) & Southern Bus Station (9km)

Tourist Oice

K H O U N B O U L O M R O A D

Immigration
Oice

Bank of
Ayudhya

Lao Bowling
Centre

AT M

Joint
Development
Bank

Taxis

Talat
Sao Malls

Taxis

That
Dam

GPO

Lao Plaza
Hotel

Phimphone
Minimart

Siam Commercial Bank

Green
Discovery

Nam Phou
Fountain

Wat Sisaket

AT M

Presidential
Palace

Haw Pha Kaew
(Museum)

Exchange Booth
BCEL Bank (ATM)

0 100

metres

CENTRAL VIENTIANE