Major city · Laos
Don Khonດອນຄອນ
Spend 1–2 days on Don Khon: easy boat ride, walk or bike the French railway trail, see Li Phi Falls and Khon Tai beach, then stay in cheap guesthouses.
Don Khon is a quiet island in the 4000 Islands, reachable by a 25‑minute longtail boat from Ban Nakasang. Its main attractions are Li Phi Falls, the former French railway trail and a small sand stretch called Khon Tai. With limited dining options and cheap guesthouses, a short stay of one to two days is sufficient.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- LAK
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid Apr–Oct
- Airport
- PKZ
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Laos ↗Get the visa only from the official government e-visa portal or at the airport or border desk; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Laos ↗Carry Lao kip in small notes; small shops, tuk-tuks and markets are cash-only, and Thai baht or US dollars are only accepted at some tourist businesses.
- Laos ↗At dawn alms-giving, watch from across the street, keep quiet, never use flash and never touch a monk.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Don Khon191 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Don Khon, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Lao kip (LAK) in small notes for markets, tuk-tuks and food stalls.Laos-wide
- SIM or eSIMUnitel, Lao Telecom and ETL sell SIMs at airports and shops; passport registration required.Laos-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; bottled and refill water everywhere.Laos-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Round up or leave LAK 10,000–20,000.Laos-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C/E/F. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Laos-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe; petty theft rare, keep valuables secure, watch boat safety and avoid night river travel alone.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop at bus stops and markets.Laos-wide
- Emergency numbers191 police · 190 fire · 195 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidayscheckGovernment offices close on all holidays; many shops shut for Pi Mai; Luang Prabang has a late-night curfew for bars (about 23:30 — check).Government offices close on all holidays; many shops shut for Pi Mai; Luang Prabang has a late-night curfew for bars (about 11:30 PM — check).Laos-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPKZ Pakse Airport (About 3 h by road and boat to Don Khon).
- Getting aroundWalk the island or rent a small bike for 15,000–20,000 Kip per day (Feb 2024).
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PKZ Pakse Airport (About 3 h by road and boat to Don Khon)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
May
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Apr–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C) low), wettest May (15 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Don Khon: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
2 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5 rd
Apr
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk the island or rent a small bike for 15,000–20,000 Kip per day (Feb 2024).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Don Det
goDoor to door: 10 min total
Cross the French railway bridge on foot (≈5 min) or by bike
Don Det offers more restaurants and nightlife.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Pa Kha Guesthouse
River‑front rooms, fan or A/C, 50,000–120,000 Kip per night
Seng Ahloune Guesthouse
Bungalows with river view, $15–25 (≈210,000–350,000 Kip), exchange service
Somphamit Guesthouse
Fan bungalow 80,000 Kip, A/C 120,000 Kip, free water refills
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₭30,000–50,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₭80,000–120,000 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse room2 × 1 night × LAK 50,000 | LAK 100,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × LAK 30 | LAK 60 |
| Bike rental (per day)2 × LAK 18,000 · check | LAK 36,000 |
| Longtail boat transfer (mainland → Don Khon)2 × LAK 30,000 · check | LAK 60,000 |
| eSIM, 1 week data2 × LAK 25,000 · check | LAK 50,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | LAK 24,606 |
| Trip total≈ LAK 135,333 per person per day, bed included | LAK 270,666 |
2026 estimate in kip; flights and mainland transport excluded.
Prices of common things
| Meal (burger, fried rice, laap) | ₭30,000–50,000 |
| Bike rental | ₭15,000–20,000 per day |
| Longtail boat (mainland → Don Khon) | ₭30,000 (check) |
| Water refill (guesthouse) | Free |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Longtail boats create morning noise near the pier; choose a quieter bungalow if sensitive.
- Food quality is basic and often salty; stick to a favourite dish.
- The French railway bridge is free (Feb 2024) but can be crowded.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Fire
- 190
- Ambulance
- 195
Pocket card
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Don Khonດອນຄອນ
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ກະລຸນານຳທີ່ນີ້To this address, please
Emergency
- Police191
- Fire190
- Ambulance195
Embassy
US consulate in Vientiane; other embassies in Vientiane.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Longtail boat Ban Nakasang → Don Khon: ≈ ₭30,000, 25 min (check)
- Bike rental (per day): ₭15,000–20,000
Say or show
- ສະບາຍດີ — Hello (sabaidee)
- ຈ່າຍບໍ່? — How much? (jaay baw?)
- ຫ້ອງນ້ຳຢູ່ໃສ? — Where is the bathroom? (hong nam yu sai?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Don Khon. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb · avoid Apr–Oct · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Don Khon
- secondaryWikivoyage: Don Khon, revision 5300260 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Don Khon
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