Major city · Laos
Phonsavanໂພນສະຫວັນ
Stay 2 nights: one full day for the Plain of Jars, one for the war sites. Skip if you only have a week in Laos — the road here eats 10+ hours each way.
Phonsavan is the gateway town for the Plain of Jars, a UNESCO site of megalithic stone jars scattered across a bomb-cratered plateau. The town itself is a long, low main street at 1,100 m with a cool climate, a handful of guesthouses and the best UXO education in Laos. Most travellers come for two nights, see the jars and the war history, then leave the way they came.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- LAK
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- avoid Apr–May (smoke and heat), Aug (rain on the jar sites)
- Airport
- XKH
- Nights
- 2
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.
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Phonsavan191 ▾
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 Phonsavan, 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
- SafetyPhonsavan is calm and safe for tourists; the real hazard is UXO in the countryside…
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.
- AirportXKH Xieng Khouang Airport (Lao Airlines, Lao Skyway and Lanexang Airways fly from Vientiane; about 35–40 min.
- Getting aroundThe town is one long street; walk the centre, use a tuk-tuk for the rest (about 100,000 kip for a local run).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea10,000–20,000 kip
- Street or quick mealNoodle soup or fried rice25,000–45,000 kip
- BeerBeerlao, bottle in a restaurant15,000–25,000 kip
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Tuk-tuk around townabout 100,000 kip
- Museum or sight ticketPlain of Jars site entrycheck at the site
- Budget bedGuesthouse dorm bed, a night, per personLAK 60,000
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomLAK 200,000
- High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomLAK 400,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget LAK 300,000 · Mid LAK 550,000 · High LAK 900,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
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
- XKH Xieng Khouang Airport (Lao Airlines, Lao Skyway and Lanexang Airways fly from Vientiane; about 35–40 min. Schedules change — check before booking.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Feb
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Mar
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Apr
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jun
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Dec
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Best: Nov–Mar. Avoid: Apr–May, Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C) low), wettest Aug (22 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Phonsavan: 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
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2 rd
Feb
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3 rd
Mar
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
May
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
16 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
19 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
21 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
22 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
17 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10 rd
Nov
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4 rd
Dec
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2 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
The town is one long street; walk the centre, use a tuk-tuk for the rest (about 100,000 kip for a local run). For the jar sites and war sites you need a motorbike (from about 200,000 kip/day), a rented car with driver, or a guided tour. Nine travel agents in town arrange rentals and tours.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Plain of Jars, Site 1
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Motorbike or tuk-tuk, about 15 min from town
The easiest and most-visited site; go at opening before the tour vans.
Plain of Jars, Sites 2 and 3
goDoor to door: Half a day
Motorbike or car with driver, 25–40 min each
Site 3 is the most atmospheric; combine both in one loop.
Tham Piu Cave
goDoor to door: 2–3 h
Route 5 towards Muang Kham, about 1 h
Memorial cave where hundreds died in a 1969 rocket strike; a sombre stop.
Muang Kham hot springs
cautionDoor to door: Half a day
Route 7 east, about 67 km (42 mi)Route 7 east, about 42 mi (67 km)
Developed resort with bungalows; the pool is not for swimming — check before you go.
Nong Tang Lake
cautionDoor to door: Half a day
Route 7 towards Phou Khoun, about 48 km (30 mi)Route 7 towards Phou Khoun, about 30 mi (48 km)
Picnic lake under limestone cliffs; a guesthouse on the shore if you want to stay.
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.
Main street (Route 7) centre
Guesthouses, restaurants and travel agents within walking distance; best for a short stay without a motorbike.
Near the airport / north end
Quieter, cheaper rooms; you will want a bike or tuk-tuk for the centre.
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
- 250,000–400,000 kip excl. bed
- Mid
- 400,000–700,000 kip excl. bed
- High
- 700,000+ kip excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse double room1 × 2 nights × LAK 200,000 | LAK 400,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × LAK 550,000 | LAK 2,200,000 |
| Plain of Jars guided day tour2 × LAK 250,000 · check | LAK 500,000 |
| Motorbike rental, one day2 × LAK 200,000 | LAK 400,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × LAK 150,000 | LAK 300,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | LAK 380,000 |
| Trip total≈ LAK 1,045,000 per person per day, bed included | LAK 4,180,000 |
2026 estimate in kip; flights and tours excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea | 10,000–20,000 kip |
| Noodle soup or fried rice | 25,000–45,000 kip |
| Beerlao, bottle in a restaurant | 15,000–25,000 kip |
| Tuk-tuk around town | about 100,000 kip |
| Motorbike rental, one day | from 200,000 kip |
| Plain of Jars site entry | check at the site |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Do not walk off the marked paths at the jar sites: unexploded ordnance still contaminates the plateau.
- Roads to Phonsavan are slow and rough; the Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang runs can take 10 hours or more.
- Buying spoons or pendants made from war scrap may encourage villagers to search for bombs — ask where the metal came from.
- Cash is king; ATMs are few and can be empty. Bring enough kip.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Fire
- 190
- Ambulance
- 195
Pocket card
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Phonsavanໂພນສະຫວັນ
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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ໄປບ່ອນນີ້ເດີTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police191
- Fire190
- Ambulance195
Embassy
No embassies in Phonsavan; Vientiane has the embassies. The US, UK and Australian missions are in Vientiane — check addresses before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Tuk-tuk in town: about 100,000 kip
- Motorbike rental, one day: from 200,000 kip
- Minivan to Luang Prabang: about 270,000 kip, 10–11 h
Say or show
- ສະບາຍດີ — Hello (sabaidee)
- ຂອບໃຈ — Thank you (khop chai)
- ລາຄາເທົ່າໃດ? — How much is it? (laka thao dai)
- ຫ້ອງນ້ຳຢູ່ໃສ? — Where is the toilet? (hong nam yu sai)
- ບໍ່ເຂົ້າໃຈ — I do not understand (bo khao chai)
- ຢຸດຢູ່ນີ້ — Please stop here (yut yu ni)
Carry kip for the jar sites and markets; cards are accepted at some guesthouses only.
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 Phonsavan. 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–Mar · avoid Apr–May (smoke and heat), Aug (rain on the jar sites) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 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