Major city · Laos
Paksanປາກຊັນ
Skip Paksan unless you need a break on the Vientiane–Pakse bus: it's a highway town with a market and a couple of waterfalls an hour away.
Paksan is a busy junction on Highway 13, the main north–south road in central Laos. It has a market, basic guesthouses and a few waterfalls in Phou Khao Khouay National Park, but no reason to stop longer than a meal or a night between longer legs.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- LAK
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid Mar–May (hot), Jul–Sep (rain)
- Airport
- Wattay (VTE)
- Nights
- 0–1
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 Paksan191 ▾
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 Paksan, 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
- SafetyPaksan is safe; watch for traffic on Highway 13 and carry cash as ATMs are scarce.
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.
- AirportcheckVTE Wattay International Airport (Vientiane) (Nearest airport with scheduled flights; about 3–4 h by bus on Highway 13 (check)).
- Getting aroundWalkable; the market and bus stops are within a few hundred metres.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealNoodle soup at marketLAK 15,000–25,000
- Metro or bus rideBus Vientiane–PaksancheckLAK 50,000–80,000
- Budget bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomLAK 50,000
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomLAK 120,000
- High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomLAK 200,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget LAK 100,000 · Mid LAK 200,000 · High LAK 400,000
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
- VTE Wattay International Airport (Vientiane) (Nearest airport with scheduled flights; about 3–4 h by bus on Highway 13 (check))
Map of Paksan
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- Paksan
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Ban Nahin · 60 km straight line
- Phon Phisai · 74 km straight line
- Jom Jang · 97 km straight line
- Nong Khai · 112 km straight line
- Vientiane · 118 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°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
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Mar–May, Jul–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C) low), wettest Jul (18 rain days), driest Dec (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Paksan: 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
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
2 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
3 rd
Mar
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5 rd
Apr
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
3 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 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
Walkable; the market and bus stops are within a few hundred metres. For waterfalls you need a hired songthaew or motorbike.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tad Xay waterfall
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Songthaew or motorbike from Paksan, about 1 h
In Phou Khao Khouay National Park; check road conditions in wet season.
Tad Leuk waterfall
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Songthaew or motorbike from Paksan, about 1 h
Also in the national park; same access as Tad Xay.
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.
Highway 13 east end
Near the bridge; Paksan Hotel and a few guesthouses.
Near the market
B.K. Guesthouse about 500 m south; family-run, garden setting.
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 100,000–200,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- LAK 200,000–400,000 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse double room1 × 1 night × LAK 50,000 | LAK 50,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × LAK 100,000 | LAK 100,000 |
| Songthaew to waterfalls (return)1 × LAK 300,000 · check | LAK 300,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | LAK 45,000 |
| Trip total≈ LAK 495,000 per person per day, bed included | LAK 495,000 |
2026 estimate in kip; bus fares excluded.
Prices of common things
| Noodle soup at market | LAK 15,000–25,000 |
| Bus Vientiane–Paksancheck | LAK 50,000–80,000 |
| Bus Paksan–Paksecheck | LAK 200,000–250,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Buses pass through on Highway 13; flag them down at the market side of the bridge.
- Waterfalls are in the national park, about an hour away; arrange transport in advance.
- ATMs may be limited; carry enough kip from Vientiane or Pakse.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Fire
- 190
- Ambulance
- 195
Pocket card
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Paksanປາກຊັນ
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ກະລຸນາໄປທີ່ນີ້To this address, please
Emergency
- Police191
- Fire190
- Ambulance195
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Vientiane → Paksan: about LAK 50,000–80,000, 3–4 h (check)
- Bus Paksan → Pakse: about LAK 200,000–250,000, 10–15 h (check)
Say or show
- ສະບາຍດີ — Hello (sabaidee)
- ຂອບໃຈ — Thank you (khob chai)
- ທ່ານເອົາເທົ່າໃດ? — How much? (thao dai?)
- ລົດເມຢູ່ໃສ? — Where is the bus? (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 Paksan. 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 (rain) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas 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 Paksan
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