Getting There
Air
Lao Airlines runs flights to Vientiane, 30 mins, Sun-Thu. In peak season it is often possible to fly once a week to Luang Prabang.
Bus
Full up-to-date bus timetables are available at the tourist office.
To Luang Prabang, daily 0830 both local, 93,000 kip and VIP bus 108,000 kip, 265 km, 8 hrs on a sealed road. To Vientiane, daily 0700, 0740, 1030, 9-10 hrs, 980,000 kip, VIP 1630, 123,000 kip. To Vang Vieng, daily 0720, 0740, 1030, 88,000 kip, and a VIP bus 1630 and 1900, 108,000 kip. To Muang Kham, 3 hrs, 30,000 kip. Also north to Nam Nouan 0900, 4 hrs, 35,000 kip (change here for transport west to Nong Khiaw). Xam Neua, daily 0800 and 1600, 83,000 kip, a 10-hr haul through beautiful scenery on a small local bus with windy roads towards the end (you may want to take something for motion sickness).
Buses travel to Vinh (Vietnam) on Tue, Thu, Fri and Sun, 0630, 12 hrs, 138,000 kip. There is also a bus every Mon at 0800 to Hanoi (600 km, at least 20 hrs) 185,000 kip. If you want to cross the border here you will need to organize a visa in advance, as there is no consulate in Phonsavanh and no agencies to send your passport to Vientiane.
Car/songthaew/minivan
A full car with driver to the Plain of Jars will cost US$20 (US$5 each) to Site one, or US$30-40 to all 3 sites. To hire a songthaew to go to Tham Phiu is US$30-40 for the day, a minivan costs US$60.Stay In Touch
Banks
Lao Development Bank, Mon-Fri 0800-1200, 1330-1600, near Lao Airlines Office, 2 blocks back from the dry market. Changes cash and TCs. No advances on Visa. Indochine Travel has an exchange booth with Visa advance, the only place in town, but they charge 6.9% commission. Moneygram service.
Internet
At the photo shop, 200 kip per min, and across from the songthaew station in town. Slow internet access.
Medical services
Lao-Mongolian Hospital, T061-312166. Sufficient for minor ailments. Pharmacies are ubiquitous in town.
Post office and telephone
The post office is opposite the dry market and has IDD telephone boxes outside.
