Flights
Flying is
the fastest and often the most expensive way to travel from Hanoi to Luang Prabang, but with a bit of luck you can score very good deals for as little as
USD 189.22.
Things to remember: Note that some of the airlines may have restrictions on checked luggage weight or require paying extra for check-in, choosing seats or transportation of oversized luggage.
If opting for a flight, calculate the time you will spend getting to and from the airports as well as the waiting time before your flight, getting through immigration in case of an international flight and recovering your checked luggage.
In certain cases all these procedures can add no less than 5 hours to your total travel time.
Airlines flying between Hanoi and Luang Prabang
Lao Airlines, Thai AirAsia (แอร์เอเชีย), Thai AirAsia (แอร์เอเชีย), Thai AirAsia (แอร์เอเชีย), Vietnam Airlines (เวียดนาม แอร์ไลน์), Vietnam Airlines (เวียดนาม แอร์ไลน์)
Bus
Travelling from Hanoi to Luang Prabang overland will inevitably take longer but in many cases it is
the cheapest option if you opt for a bus.
Things to remember: For a more comfortable ride opt for a higher-class bus wherever possible. These buses usually have soft reclining seats and are equipped with air-conditioning and on-board toilets.
They often include water, snacks or a light lunch into your ticket price and make bathroom stops en-route.
Companies operating bus routes between Hanoi and Luang Prabang
Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), HTX Van Tai 277 (HTX Vận Tải 27-7), HTX Van Tai 277, Techbus VN JSC (Techbus Vietnam Joint stock company), To Vietnam Travel