Traveling between Laos and Cambodia: A Short and Handy Guide

Laos and Cambodia are two captivating Southeast Asian countries that, while sharing cultural similarities, each shine with their own unique traits. With their stunning landscapes, friendly inhabitants, and rich cultural treasures, it is clear why most tourists choose to undertake a Laos-Cambodia combined tour during their journey to the Indochina peninsula. 

This article addresses a common question among travelers wishing to explore these two countries: How to travel between Laos and Cambodia? 

Required documents to cross the border between Laos and Cambodia

The most important travel document is undoubtedly the visa. Here are a few things you need to take into account regarding this document to ensure hassle-free travel from Laos and Cambodia and/or vice versa:

Since the Trapeang Kreal border post, located in Stung Treng Province, Cambodia, and the Nong Nok Khien border crossing, located in Champasak Province of Laos, are the only pair of international border gates between Cambodia and Laos, if you travel to Laos from Cambodia by land, you are required to show your classic visa or your visa on arrival. In Laos, while e-visas are accepted at designated ports of entry, including some land border crossings, the Nong Nok Khien border crossing is not on the list.

Nong Nok Khien border crossing in Laos

Some ports of entry in Laos that accept E-visas are:

Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge IV: Located in Bokeo Province 

Boten International Checkpoint: Located in Luang Namtha Province 

Boten Railway Station: Located in Luang Namtha Province 

Wattay International Airport: Located in Vientiane Capital 

Luang Prabang International Airport: Located in Luang Prabang province 

Pakse International Airport: Located in Champasack province

On the other hand, Cambodia accepts all kinds of visas. We highly recommend obtaining a Cambodia e-visa to avoid additional charges and time-consuming import procedures. This option is more convenient compared to Cambodia visas on arrival, which are also accepted but require filling out forms. It is best that you have your e-visa printed out and ready to show it to the immigration officials to avoid any extra charges at the border. 

Travel from Laos to Cambodia 

Travelers can either choose to cross the land border or take flights to travel from Laos and Cambodia. Here is some information you might find useful for your trip regarding these two methods of transport.  

Border crossing from Laos to Cambodia by Land

Travelers can easily reach Cambodia from Laos by crossing the land border. This method is mostly chosen by travelers who wish to explore the surrounding regions between the two countries and save on travel costs.

While there are various transportation options to reach Cambodia from Laos by land, such as minivans and tuk-tuks (these two means of transportation can only get you to the border of Laos), we recommend taking the bus, as it is the most convenient method regarding travel time and comfort.

There are international buses that link Cambodia and Laos on numerous different routes. However, they all have the same transfer stop in Pakse, Laos. Ticket price and travel time depend on where you want to go in either direction. The longest route, from Vientiane to Siem Reap, can take more than a day and cost up to 56 dollars. 

Since Laos is a landlocked country, you can not travel from Laos to Cambodia by boat, and there are also no rails connecting these two countries.

Travel from Laos to Cambodia by Plane

This is undoubtedly the quickest way to reach Cambodia from Laos. A direct flight from Laos to Cambodia takes around 1.5 to 2 hours.

The 2 popular routes are:

Luang Prabang International Airport - Siem Reap Angkor International Airport: average flight time of 2 hours.

Wattay International Airport - Phnom Penh International Airport:  average flight time of 1 hour 54 minutes.

Once again, we recommend obtaining a Cambodia e-visa for hassle-free travel.

Travel from Cambodia to Laos

The ways to travel from Cambodia to Laos are basically the same as how to travel from Laos to Cambodia. You can either travel by border crossing or take a flight to reach Laos from Cambodia. Here is some information you might need.

Border crossing from Cambodia to Laos by Land

A popular choice for traveling by land from Cambodia to Laos is taking the bus to Don Det in southern Laos, 150 kilometers from Pakse. Don Det is also the nearest tourist destination to the Nong Nok Khien border crossing. Common routes are from Siem Reap to Don Det or Pakse or from Phnom Penh to Don Det or Pakse. Tickets can easily be purchased online in advance.

The route from Siem Reap to Don Det is one of the most chosen choices for travelers who wish to reach Laos from Cambodia by land. This 400-kilometer journey takes around 8.5 to 10 hours, costing $35-50 per passenger. 

Another popular route is Siem Reap to Pakse. This travel route takes 11–12 hours for a 530-kilometer ride and costs $35–65 per passenger. Transfer to another minibus should be expected.

Departures from Phnom Penh to Pakse (or Don Det) are also an option. However, with a 600-kilometer distance, the journey from Cambodia’s capital to Pakse, passing through Don Det, takes 12–15 hours to travel. Fares for a ride vary from $40 to $70.

Travel from Cambodia to Laos by Plane

This is the most efficient way to reach Laos from Cambodia in terms of travel time and comfort. The only drawback of this method is that the flight schedules are rather limited. 

Travelers from Cambodia to Laos by plane can use their e-visa, as this document is accepted at Wattay International Airport, Luang Prabang International Airport, and Pakse International Airport. 

Various airlines, including Vietnam Airlines, Laos Airlines, and Thai Air Asia, offer both direct and connecting flights, with one-way ticket prices starting at $163.

Useful tips when traveling between Laos and Cambodia

Carry some cash: It is advisable to bring some cash, even with the possession of an e-visa, when making it to the Laos or Cambodia border crossing in case requested by officials. The police officer often charges $2 to stamp the passport to exit Laos. For medical checks, the officials will charge $1. Expect a charge of $2 for a stamp to enter Cambodia.

Do not hand your passport to anyone except the immigration officials: Be cautious of individuals who may refer to themselves as "helpers" and request your passport to assist with your paperwork. It’s important not to give them your passport or any documents. You can avoid this situation by ensuring that your e-visa is prepared in advance.

Regarding the bus: While all buses are equipped with air conditioners, some of them might be a bit older. A long wait for the bus should be expected. Also, it is best to book your ticket in advance, as these buses tend to sell out quite quickly. 

Traveling between Laos and Cambodia is generally easy for most tourists. We hope this article has addressed your concerns about how to travel between these two fascinating countries. In case you need more advice concerning travel in Laos or/and travel in Cambodia, do not hesitate to contact us at: info@authentikvietnam.com or +84 (0)912121091 (WhatsApp).

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