The former royal capital of Laos, Luang Prabang is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. Thanks to its beautiful Buddhist temples, Luang Prabang was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 and is considered the cultural heart of Laos. After spending a few days in this famous and hospitable city, it might be a good idea to visit Hanoi, a large city with Chinese and French influences. Explore its interesting architecture, stroll the narrow streets of the Old Quarter, and learn more about the country’s history and culture at the museums. Getting from Luang Prabang to Hanoi is quite easy, but it can take a whole day depending on how you manage your tour.
Travel options to get from Luang Prabang to Hanoi
If we draw a straight line from Luang Prabang to Hanoi, the distance is only 410 kilometers. But usually the roads do not follow the road in a straight line, but rather adapt and meander between the geographical features of the terrain, and this is the case with the route that goes from Luang Prabang to Hanoi. The road runs between mountains that offer spectacular scenery, but it is full of curves, adding 300 kilometers (187 miles) to the total distance. Therefore, the bus from Luang Prabang to Hanoi takes about 24 hours, so the journey can be tiring. The second alternative, the plane, will take you from Luang Prabang to Hanoi in just one hour. Which transport option should you choose? Read on and we’ll give you detailed bus and flight information so you can make the best decision.
Flights from Luang Prabang to Hanoi
Vietnam Airlines at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi. The same Airbus A321 operates flights to Luang Prabang © Karasev Victor / Shutterstock.com
Considering how long the journey is, it’s not surprising that flights from Luang Prabang to Hanoi are a popular choice among all types of travellers. If you choose to fly by plane, you can reach your destination in less than an hour. Even if you add to this the travel time to and from the airport to the city, check-in and security checks, it saves a lot of time compared to traveling by bus. The downside is the price. As you can imagine, a flight from Luang Prabang to Hanoi is more expensive than a bus ticket, but the truth is that buses are not as cheap as you might think. Because of this, you’ll probably find it’s worth spending a little more to get the most out of your time.
There are two airlines operating from Luang Prabang to Hanoi: Lao Airlines and Vietnam Airlines. Both companies offer daily flights between the two cities and the prices are quite similar. We suggest buying tickets as far in advance as possible to find better deals. Even so, if you decide to buy them a day or two before departure, the prices are not exorbitant, but you risk that the flights will be full.
Luang Prabang International Airport is easily accessible from the city as it is only 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from downtown. Even a taxi ride won’t be too expensive, but there are always tuk-tuks available to take you for less money. However, Hanoi’s Noi Ban International Airport is quite far from the city, specifically 45 kilometers (28 miles), which adds a bit of extra time to your journey. The good thing is that taxis are always available, and if you want to save some money, you can also take the public bus or the Vietnam Airlines shuttle bus.
From Luang Prabang to Hanoi by bus
Before you book your flight, read the details we’ll tell you about the bus that travels from Luang Prabang to Hanoi, because that too has its advantages.
It takes a full day to travel by bus from Luang Prabang to Hanoi. Yes, literally 24 hours. They leave Luang Prabang around 6:00 PM and arrive in Hanoi around the same time the next day. It’s the duration of the trip that makes many travelers rule out this option, and we wouldn’t be surprised if you’d already stopped reading. Spending so much time on a bus might put off less demanding travelers, but buses aren’t as bad as you might think. Let’s start with the fact that these are sleeper buses, which means the seats are practically beds. This means you can lie down, relax and sleep whenever you want. The advantage is that you’re saving an overnight stay, so you’ll save even more money as buses are cheaper than flights. Besides, just because the journey is so long doesn’t mean you’ll be locked inside the bus for 24 hours. There are plenty of stops along the way to stretch your legs, go to the bathroom, and grab a bite to eat. The time it takes to cross the border from Laos to Vietnam is also calculated, which can take about an hour depending on what time the bus arrives at the border. He usually arrives before the border opens, which adds a bit more time, but you can use this time to sleep more soundly.
There are several companies that offer a route from Luang Prabang to Hanoi, but the most popular are HXT Van Tai and The Sinh Tourist. The latter is usually more expensive but has a better reputation. When buying tickets, also pay attention to the departure and arrival points, as each company has different departure and arrival points in both cities. Some buses depart from South Bus Terminal while others depart from North Station. In Hanoi, some stop near the city center and others leave you a few miles away.