The northeast - The Rough Guide to Laos - page 221

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: PHONSAVAN
BY PLANE
WattayInternationalAirport At the time of writing, Lao Airlines ( 061 312027) was only
operating flights to and from Vientiane (1 daily; 30min). Landing at the airport, you'll need
a tuk-tuk (20,000K per person) for the 5km ride into town, though you may be able to get a
free lift with one of the hotel reps waiting in arrivals. Note that the airport is most commonly
called “Xieng Khuang” rather than Phonsavan.
BY BUS
Buses arrive at/depart from several stations across town. When leaving Phonsavan, you may
prefer to book your ticket a day in advance at the Lao Falang Restaurant ; the owner takes a
cut of around 20,000K on each booking, but will arrange tuk-tuk transport to the bus station
for you, or even have the bus pull up outside your guesthouse. Note that now Route 1D is
open, it's possible to travel between Vientiane and Phonsavan without having to go via Vang
Vieng.
Inter-provincial bus station The main inter-provincial bus station handling arrivals from
Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng is 4km west of the centre on Route 7; tuk-tuks
(10,000-15,000K per person) will ferry you into town. Buses bound for Vietnam also leave
from here at 6.30am each morning (except Tues), crossing the border at Nam Khan-Nam
Can; it takes around 10hr to reach Vinh (150,000K), from where connections to Hanoi are
available.
Destinations Luang Prabang (1 daily; 8hr); Paksan (3 daily; 6-8hr); Phou Khoun (1 daily;
10hr); Sam Neua (1 daily; 10hr); Vang Vieng (1 daily; 6hr); Vientiane (5 daily; 9hr); Vinh,
Vietnam (1 daily except Tues; 10hr).
Bounmixay bus station The Bounmixay bus station, south of the tourist office on route 1D,
is where the majority of buses travelling from Vientiane come to a stop.
Destinations Pakse (1 daily; 16hr); Vientiane (7 daily; 8hr).
Minivan station Minivans connecting Phonsavan with Laos's three main tourist centres de-
part early in the morning from a lot in the centre of town, just off Route 7.
Destinations Luang Prabang (1 daily; 7hr); Vang Vieng (1 daily; 5hr); Vientiane (1 daily;
8hr).
INFORMATION
Touristinformation The tourist office (daily 8-11.30am & 1.30-4pm), with old bombs out-
side the door, is rather inconveniently situated in the southern part of town, a couple of kilo-
metres away from most accommodation. Staff can provide you with plenty of information on
local tours, but may not actually have the prices, or be able to get you booked onto a tour. For