Driving in Laos
Jul 12, 2013 | 8:21 pm
#1
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Driving in Laos
Just moving this topic over from another thread.
I've talked to a couple of rental agencies in Ubon. They say "Don't go to Laos" but I'm not sure there is any practical way for them to know or stop you.
Bus seems like a good idea but limited mobility once you get to Pakse.
I'm thinking it might also make sense to find a contact in Paske who will drive over and pick me up in Ubon.
I believe you are correct.
Champasak Province has a land border with Ubon (Thailand). The Mekong swings into Laos and does not form the border in the far south of Laos.
While I haven't crossed this border in a few years it was a regular for me from 2007-2009 and there was nothing around except shacks selling Beer Lao and other sundries. The chances of finding a car on the Laos side are slim and there's a pretty good possibility you wouldn't find your Thai rental car on the return.
There are (or at least were) buses running between Ubon and Pakse which took about 3 hours including the stop at immigration. Very convenient.
Not sure about the prospect of car rentals in Laos however. Last we looked, about 18 months ago, up north and the choices were abysmal and expensive.
Champasak Province has a land border with Ubon (Thailand). The Mekong swings into Laos and does not form the border in the far south of Laos.
While I haven't crossed this border in a few years it was a regular for me from 2007-2009 and there was nothing around except shacks selling Beer Lao and other sundries. The chances of finding a car on the Laos side are slim and there's a pretty good possibility you wouldn't find your Thai rental car on the return.
There are (or at least were) buses running between Ubon and Pakse which took about 3 hours including the stop at immigration. Very convenient.
Not sure about the prospect of car rentals in Laos however. Last we looked, about 18 months ago, up north and the choices were abysmal and expensive.
Bus seems like a good idea but limited mobility once you get to Pakse.
I'm thinking it might also make sense to find a contact in Paske who will drive over and pick me up in Ubon.
Jul 13, 2013 | 9:13 am
#2
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Your options for car rentals in Ubon are Avis (good), Budget (expensive) and Chaw Wattana. They are all at the airport and the last one has a small shop in town. It's a small family operation which seems to get cars from friends who are happy to rent them out for money...
For none of these options would i recommend trying to get over the border or leaving them at the border.
Two years ago we needed to get a group of people from Ubon to a neighboring province and, through Chaw Wattana, rented drivers and vans which were fantastic. it's possible you could contact them and get a ride to Pakse.
I can tell you I'm not much of a bus person and yet the travel from Ubon to Pakse on the bus was fine. If money is not a concern then being driven to Pakse is likely a better option than having someone coming from Pakse to get you.
Once in Pakse, what's your plan?
For none of these options would i recommend trying to get over the border or leaving them at the border.
Two years ago we needed to get a group of people from Ubon to a neighboring province and, through Chaw Wattana, rented drivers and vans which were fantastic. it's possible you could contact them and get a ride to Pakse.
I can tell you I'm not much of a bus person and yet the travel from Ubon to Pakse on the bus was fine. If money is not a concern then being driven to Pakse is likely a better option than having someone coming from Pakse to get you.
Once in Pakse, what's your plan?
Jul 14, 2013 | 1:16 pm
#3
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Join Date: Sep 2009
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Your options for car rentals in Ubon are Avis (good), Budget (expensive) and Chaw Wattana. They are all at the airport and the last one has a small shop in town. It's a small family operation which seems to get cars from friends who are happy to rent them out for money...
For none of these options would i recommend trying to get over the border or leaving them at the border.
I can tell you I'm not much of a bus person and yet the travel from Ubon to Pakse on the bus was fine. If money is not a concern then being driven to Pakse is likely a better option than having someone coming from Pakse to get you.
Once in Pakse, what's your plan?
Jul 14, 2013 | 6:24 pm
#4
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Again stressing that it's been a good 3 years since I've been there, and that things most certainly could have changed, Pakse is a good spot to jump off from. The town itself was laid back and friendly but with little to maintain interest.
South in Champasak is Wat Pho and a cool little town (though that might have changed with the new road). Further south is the relaxing area of Si Phan Don, some islands having B&Bs without the hordes of younger partiers present at Don Det. During rainy season the falls on the Mekong is quite a sight.
The provinces of Saravan and Attapeu are super mellow but also lack much of a tourist infrastructure. At the right times of the year there are spectacular vistas especially with the lush rice fields.
The Bolaven Plateau is equally mellow but with the addition of water falls and coffee plantations.
I'm sure the deforestation has proceeded increasingly in the past few years as well.
In all southern Laos is just a laid back area.
South in Champasak is Wat Pho and a cool little town (though that might have changed with the new road). Further south is the relaxing area of Si Phan Don, some islands having B&Bs without the hordes of younger partiers present at Don Det. During rainy season the falls on the Mekong is quite a sight.
The provinces of Saravan and Attapeu are super mellow but also lack much of a tourist infrastructure. At the right times of the year there are spectacular vistas especially with the lush rice fields.
The Bolaven Plateau is equally mellow but with the addition of water falls and coffee plantations.
I'm sure the deforestation has proceeded increasingly in the past few years as well.
In all southern Laos is just a laid back area.