You can get to Champasak Province from Thailand via the Chong Mek border at Vang Tao east of Ubon Ratchathani; from Cambodia via the Veun Kham border crossing north of Stung Treng, fly directly from Siem Reap or by heading southwards from Vientiane and Savannakhet which lie further to the north in Laos.
The road network throughout Champasak province is good making it easy to get around.
Use our Champasak Transportation Guide to get more details on how to get to Champasak, and also how to get around. It can also be used in conjunction with our Laos Transportation Guide and our Champasak Destination Guide to help you best plan your transport options.
Champasak Transportation Guide
If you're coming in from Thailand, you can travel past the border crossing east of Ubon Ratchathani. There is another border crossing in Cambodia at Voen Kham north of Stung Treng. The most reliable way to travel from Cambodia is to get your guest house to arrange transport, or come through Stung Treng in Cambodia. Check for the latest information with other travellers.
Getting to Pakse
By Air
Flights from Siem Reap in Cambodia land at the Pakse International Airport, and there are regular flights from Vientiane and Savannakhet to Pakse. The Pakse International Airport lies across the river from the main town. You can board a tuk-tuk from the airport to the nearby town for around 20,000kip (US$2.5).
By Bus
You can get to Pakse by bus from Vientiane, Thakek or Savannakhet. The journey from Vientiane to Savannakhet takes 7-8 hours and it's about 3 hours from Savannakhet to Pakse. Sleeper buses make the trip directly from Vientiane overnight, and there are also VIP and local buses running daily between Vientiane, Thakek, Savannaket and Pakse if you wish to break up the journey. Pakse has three bus terminals. The new terminal is about 8 km south of town; the old terminal is also 8 km away, but towards the north. The ticket you buy from the travel agency in town will include transport to the bus terminal and, if you're going to Vientiane, a pick up from town. You'll have to buy tickets for international travel from travel agencies.
Getting to Champasak Town
You can get to Champasak Town from Pakse by boat or bus. The town is about 40km south of Pakse. In Pakse you can board a bus from the south and north points. The bus will take Highway 13 and you will probably get dropped at Ban Lak 30 which is two miles east from the Ban Muang docks with onward songthaews running regularly. You could also travel from Pakse by songthaew or private vehicle hire. Once you reach the docks, the ferry will take you across the river to Champasak town. The standard fare for the crossing is less than 10,000 kip ($1) per person.
Ferries ply regularly during the day from Ban Muang, located on the eastern side of the Mekong River, to Ban Phaphin on the western side (1.8 km north of Champasak).
The ferry landing is roughly 2 km north from the traffic circle which marks the middle of Champasak Town. Ferries run regularly from the landing to the opposite bank of the river. Boats coming down from Pakse (although these are not regular) often ignore the landing and stop by the Anouxsa Guesthouse instead.
Getting Around Champasak Town
By Cycle
The best way to travel around the Champasak Town region is by bicycle. Walking to the temples from the town is not an option as these are too far away. Several guesthouses offer bicycles on hire for US $ 1- US $ 2 per day or a motorbike for US $ 5/10 per half/full day.
Getting To The Four Thousand Islands
There are two main options for getting to the islands from Pakse, depending upon which islands you are heading to.
Don Khong: The largest of the islands is easily accessible with its own ferry crossing. Buses leave from Pakse on a regular basis, and private vehicle hire and shuttle minibuses are also available - check with your local guesthouse and internet cafe for the next departure.
Don Dhet and Don Khone: laying further southwards these two islands are growing rapidly in popularity as an alternative to Don Khong and are closer to the waterfalls, the remains of the French Railway system and the endangered Irrawaddy Dolphins. From Pakse you will need to get a bus to the port of Ban Nagasang, from where you can catch local longtail boats to the island of your choice (the French Railway Bridge still connects these two islands). Some restaurants, guesthouse and internet cafes can also sell you an all-in-one ticket to the island of your choice, generally costing a little more but reducing the travel time and effort.
