By air: Luang Prabang has its own airport that maintains both domestic and international connections with the national carrier, Lao Aviation, operating the bulk of the services. From within the country, it’s possible to reach Luang Prabang from Vientiane, Houay Xai, Phonesavanh, Luang Namtha and Oudomxa. From outside of the country, there are flights from Chiang Mai and Bangkok in Thailand (operated by Bangkok Airlines) and Hanoi in Vietnam (operated by Vietnam Airlines). By bus: Luang Prabang can be reached from Vientiane, the country’s capital city by either regular or VIP bus. The regular bus takes 11 hours and services depart five times per day. The VIP bus is slightly quicker at 10 hours, but only two services per day operate, both leaving in the morning. Both regular and VIP buses call at Vang Vieng so passengers wishing to commence their journey from there may pick up any of the seven services available. By river: the most popular way for backpackers to arrive in Luang Prabang is to come from Chiang Khong in Thailand then take a boat along the Mekong River. There are two choices of vessel available: slow boats or fast boats. The former option takes two days and has an overnight stop at a tiny village called Pak Beng. The boats are far from luxurious and have very limited facilities, however backpackers find the two-day trip a good chance to do some bonding with fellow travellers. The fast boat is exactly as the title describes and reaches Luang Prabang in about six hours. They are not especially safe however and travellers take them at their own risk. Crash helmets should certainly be provided for the journey and if they aren’t then it’s reasonable to decline the service. | 
