Major city · Laos
Pak Lay
Pak Lay is a 1-night stop on the bus route between Luang Prabang and Vientiane: see the market, eat Thai-Lao food by the Mekong, then move on.
Pak Lay is a small river town in Northern Laos, the first settlement after crossing from Thailand at Nam Hueng. It has a market, a Mekong riverside, a few guesthouses and a friendly Thai-Lao restaurant. Most travellers use it as a one-night break between Luang Prabang and Vientiane, not a destination.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- LAK
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid Mar–May (hot), Jul–Sep (rainy)
- Airports
- Luang Prabang (LXG) · Wattay International Airport, Vientiane (VTE)
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Laos ↗Get the visa only from the official government e-visa portal or at the airport or border desk; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Laos ↗Carry Lao kip in small notes; small shops, tuk-tuks and markets are cash-only, and Thai baht or US dollars are only accepted at some tourist businesses.
- Laos ↗At dawn alms-giving, watch from across the street, keep quiet, never use flash and never touch a monk.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Pak Lay191 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Pak Lay, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Lao kip (LAK) in small notes for markets, tuk-tuks and food stalls.Laos-wide
- SIM or eSIMUnitel, Lao Telecom and ETL sell SIMs at airports and shops; passport registration required.Laos-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; bottled and refill water everywhere.Laos-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Round up or leave LAK 10,000–20,000.Laos-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C/E/F. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Laos-wide
- SafetyPak Lay is a quiet town with low crime.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop at bus stops and markets.Laos-wide
- Emergency numbers191 police · 190 fire · 195 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidayscheckGovernment offices close on all holidays; many shops shut for Pi Mai; Luang Prabang has a late-night curfew for bars (about 23:30 — check).Government offices close on all holidays; many shops shut for Pi Mai; Luang Prabang has a late-night curfew for bars (about 11:30 PM — check).Laos-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLXG Luang Prabang International Airport (Nearest airport with scheduled service; road from Pak Lay to Luang Prabang is long…
- Getting aroundWalk: the town is small.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerBottle of BeerlaoLAK 10,000–15,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Tuk-tuk from bus station to centreLAK 10,000–20,000
- Budget bedFan room (Duang Chai Phet or similar), a night, per roomLAK 60,000
- Mid-range bedFan room (Duang Chai Phet or similar), a night, per roomLAK 80,000
- High-end bedFan room (Duang Chai Phet or similar), a night, per roomLAK 100,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget LAK 80,000 · Mid LAK 150,000 · High LAK 250,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LXG Luang Prabang International Airport (Nearest airport with scheduled service; road from Pak Lay to Luang Prabang is long — check bus times before booking a flight.) · VTE Wattay International Airport, Vientiane (Reached by bus south from Pak Lay, about LAK 90,000 — check the schedule.)
Map of Pak Lay
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- Pak Lay
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Sayabouly · 37 km straight line
- Muang Ngeun · 43 km straight line
- Pakbeng · 66 km straight line
- Nan · 93 km straight line
- Vang Vieng · 119 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Apr
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
May
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Mar–May, Jul–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C) low), wettest Jul (18 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Pak Lay: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
2 rd
Mar
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
4 rd
Apr
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk: the town is small. Tuk-tuks run from the bus stations to the centre.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 2.5 h
Bus from the northbound station, about 2 h
Provincial capital with a few sights; doable as a day trip if you leave early.
Nam Hueng (Thai border)
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus from the southbound station, about 1 h
Border crossing into Thailand; check visa requirements.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Main road (near the monument)
Duang Chai Phet Hotel and other budget options; close to the bus stations and market.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- LAK 60,000–120,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- LAK 120,000–200,000 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Fan room (Duang Chai Phet or similar)1 × 1 night × LAK 60,000 | LAK 60,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × LAK 80,000 | LAK 80,000 |
| Bus south to Vientiane1 × LAK 90,000 | LAK 90,000 |
| Bus north to Luang Prabang1 × LAK 80,000 | LAK 80,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | LAK 31,000 |
| Trip total≈ LAK 341,000 per person per day, bed included | LAK 341,000 |
2026 estimate in kip; bus fares excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Meal at Bay First | LAK 25,000–50,000 |
| Bottle of Beerlao | LAK 10,000–15,000 |
| Tuk-tuk from bus station to centre | LAK 10,000–20,000 |
| Bus Pak Lay → Vientiane | LAK 90,000 |
| Bus Pak Lay → Luang Prabang | LAK 80,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Two bus stations: one for southbound (Vientiane, Nam Hueng), one for northbound (Sayabouly, Luang Prabang). Confirm which one you need.
- ATMs limited: BCEL Bank in the centre accepts international cards, but carry enough kip.
- Guesthouses may lock up early: arrive before 21:00 or call ahead.Guesthouses may lock up early: arrive before 9:00 PM or call ahead.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Fire
- 190
- Ambulance
- 195
Pocket card
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Pak LayPak Lay
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ໄປທີ່ນີ້, ກະລຸນາTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police191
- Fire190
- Ambulance195
Embassy
Embassies are in Vientiane; the nearest consulate for most nationalities is in Luang Prabang (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus south to Vientiane: about LAK 90,000, check schedule
- Bus north to Luang Prabang: about LAK 80,000, check schedule
Say or show
- ສະບາຍດີ — Hello (sabaidee)
- ຂອບໃຈ — Thank you (khob chai)
- ເທົ່າໃດ? — How much? (thao dai?)
- ສະຖານີລົດເມຢູ່ໃສ? — Where is the bus station? (sathani lot me yu sai?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Pak Lay. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb · avoid Mar–May (hot), Jul–Sep (rainy) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Pak Lay
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