Once all the delights of the Laotian city of Luang Prabang have been explored, choosing your next destination may be a difficult choice to make. The Vietnamese capital of Hanoi lies directly east of Luang Prabang and with its perfect blend of history, untouched culture, and gastronomical prowess, and is seen as one of the must-visit cities in all of South East Asia.
Making this considerable journey may a first seem like a daunting one, yet with this guide, we aim to break down the transitional trip from Laos to Vietnam with considerable ease. With detailed time, price, and comfort ratings, this guide will strive to provide you with the ideal route, whatever your budget and time constraints may be.
| Transport | Time | Price | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luang Prabang to Hanoi by plane | 1 h | $100 | Book Online |
| Luang Prabang to Hanoi by bus | 24 h | $5 | Book Online |
Luang Prabang to Hanoi by plane
Time – Around 1 hour
Price – $100 – $150
Comfort – 5/5
Arguably the quickest and most comfortable way to make the journey from Luang Prabang to Hanoi is to fly. Since 2013 the relativity small town of Luang Prabang has played host to one of only four international airports in Laos, and at only 2.5 miles from the town center, getting there is simple. Flights leave Luang Prabang bound for Hanoi a few times a day and are ran by two major airlines, Lao Airlines and Vietnam Airlines. Flight prices can vary from week to week, so be sure to check the current pricing online, 12Go.asia is an ideal and trusted website for doing this.
You can be in the Vietnamese capital within the hour with a direct flight from Luang Prabang.
Although the costliest way of traveling, flying from Luang Prabang to Hanoi has many beneficial aspects. The flight can take as little as 1 hour, and even with check-in, passport control, and traveling to and from the airport taken into account, it is much quicker than any other mode of transport. Also, when considering visa applications, the whole process is much more streamlined in an international airport as opposed to a land border crossing.
The only downside to arriving in Hanoi via airplane is the distance of the airport from the city. Hanoi’s Noi Ban International Airport is around 20 miles north of the city’s center, so it will take another mode of transport to complete the journey. Taxis are always available outside the airport, and for the more cost-conscious public buses can be caught.
Luang Prabang to Hanoi by bus
Time – 24 hours
Price – $5
Comfort – 3/5
For those travelers who are on a budget, flying isn’t always the most affordable option. For a more appealing $50, an overnight bus can be taken from Luang Prabang to Hanoi. As attractive as the cost is, it is the journey time that often puts people off traveling this way – at a total of 24 hours, it is not the shortest of bus routes. Although this journey racks up a mammoth 24 hours of travel, the bus will make regular stops, ideal for taking toilet breaks, stretching the legs, and grabbing a few extra snacks.
The positives of catching the overnight sleeping bus don’t just stop there. With reclining seats that represent beds more than seats, travelers can get a relatively good night’s sleep on their journey. This convenient sleeping arrangement also means there is no need to book an extra night’s accommodation, again saving you money. It is important to bear in mind that there is a border crossing during your journey, and passing through passport control will typically take around an hour if your bus is full.
Sleepaway your travel worries on the overnight bus from Luang Prabang to Hanoi.
Several bus companies offer this overnight service from Luang Prabang to Hanoi, and it is advisable to read up beforehand and find the right one for you. A quick search of 12Go.asia will allow you to compare bus companies, times, and prices on your preferred evening of travel. Companies such as Naluang, HTX Van Tai, and The Sinh Tourist are some of the most popular and all of which leave around 6 pm from Luang Prabang.
Booking bus tickets well in advance is advisable as night buses from Luang Prabang Hanoi are very popular and can sell out fast. Spending the bus journey on the top bunk or the bottom bunk of the sleeping bus can make a huge difference to the comfort of the trip; this is another reason to book your tickets well in advance.
From speedy one hour flights to day-long bus journeys, however you choose to travel between these two cities, we hope you have a safe journey filled with excitement and ease.
Luang Prabang to Hanoi FAQ
The cheapest way to get from Luang Prabang to Hanoi is to take the overnight bus. Although the journey takes around 24 hours, as it costs about $50, it is the most affordable option. Compare prices and times from several bus companies offering this service as 12Go.asia.
The fastest way to get from Luang Prabang to Hanoi is to fly, taking around one hour to complete the flight. Both Laos Airlines and Vietnam Airlines fly this route, head to 12Go.asia to compare prices from each company.
There are two ways of getting from Luang Prabang to Hanoi, flying, and taking an overnight bus. Flying will take around one hour and is the fastest route. The overnight bus takes 24 hours, yet it is the cheapest option. Using 12Go.asia, travelers are able to compare times and prices and find the route that is ideal for them.
There is a direct bus that runs every evening from Luang Prabang to Hanoi, and the journey takes around 24 hours. Visiting 12Go.asia will allow you to compare prices from several bus companies that provide this direct route.
The bus from Luang Prabang to Hanoi takes around 24 hours. Leaving about 6pm in Luang Prabang, it arrives at around 6pm the following evening in Hanoi.
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