Major city · Laos
Champasakຈຳປາສັກ
Spend a half‑day at Wat Phu, stay one night in a riverside guesthouse; otherwise skip if on a tight schedule.
Champasak is a small Mekong river town in southern Laos, best known for the Wat Phu temple complex 8 km away. A half‑day visit covers the main ruins; one night lets you explore the town market and catch a sunset on the river.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- LAK
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid May–Oct (heavy rain)
- Airport
- PKS
- Nights
- 1
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 Champasak191 ▾
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 Champasak, 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
- SafetyChampasak is generally safe; watch for traffic on the main road and keep valuables hidden on boats.
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.
- AirportPKS Pakse Airport (Longtail boat from Pakse takes 2½ h; minibus <1 h to Champasak).
- Getting aroundWalk or hire a bicycle in town; hire a tuk‑tuk or motorbike for Wat Phu (8 km (5 mi), ~15 min).Walk or hire a bicycle in town; hire a tuk‑tuk or motorbike for Wat Phu (5 mi (8 km), ~15 min).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a caféLAK 5,000–8,000
- Street or quick mealBowl of noodle soupLAK 8,000–12,000
- BeerBeer (bottle)LAK 12,000–15,000
- Budget bedGuesthouse room (double), a night, per roomLAK 80,000
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse room (double), a night, per roomLAK 120,000
- High-end bedGuesthouse room (double), a night, per roomLAK 200,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget LAK 150,000 · Mid LAK 300,000 · High LAK 500,000
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
- PKS Pakse Airport (Longtail boat from Pakse takes 2½ h; minibus <1 h to Champasak)
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
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
May
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Nov
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C) low), wettest Jun (15 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Champasak: 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)
5 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7 rd
Apr
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
May
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5 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 or hire a bicycle in town; hire a tuk‑tuk or motorbike for Wat Phu (8 km, ~15 min). Longtail boats run 2½ h from Pakse; minibuses from Pakse take <1 h.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Wat Phu
goDoor to door: ≈30 min total
Tuk‑tuk or motorbike 8 km (5 mi), ~15 min; or organized tour from townTuk‑tuk or motorbike 5 mi (8 km), ~15 min; or organized tour from town
Entry 50,000 kip; open 8:00‑18:00.Entry 50,000 kip; open 8:00 AM‑6:00 PM.
Pakse
cautionDoor to door: ≈3 h
Longtail boat 2½ h from Pakse dock or minibus <1 h from Pakse bus station
Pakse offers more restaurants and night market; consider if you have extra time.
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.
Residence Bassac
Boutique riverside hotel, 14 rooms, check‑in 14:00, checkout 12:00Boutique riverside hotel, 14 rooms, check‑in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM
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
- LAK 150,000–250,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- LAK 250,000–400,000 excl. bed
- High
- LAK 400,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse room (double)1 × 1 night × LAK 120,000 | LAK 120,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × LAK 300,000 | LAK 600,000 |
| Wat Phu entry2 × LAK 50,000 · check | LAK 100,000 |
| Tuk‑tuk to Wat Phu (round trip)2 × LAK 30,000 · check | LAK 60,000 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × LAK 120,000 · check | LAK 240,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | LAK 112,000 |
| Trip total≈ LAK 616,000 per person per day, bed included | LAK 1,232,000 |
2026 estimate in kip; flights and international transfers excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | LAK 5,000–8,000 |
| Bowl of noodle soup | LAK 8,000–12,000 |
| Beer (bottle) | LAK 12,000–15,000 |
| Motorbike rental (day) | LAK 30,000–45,000 |
| Longtail boat (Pakse → Champasak) | LAK 150,000–200,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Longtail boat schedules vary; confirm departure times in Pakse.
- Wat Phu entry fee is 50,000 kip; bring exact change.
- Nightlife ends early; plan shows at the shadow‑puppet theatre before 22:00.Nightlife ends early; plan shows at the shadow‑puppet theatre before 10:00 PM.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Fire
- 190
- Ambulance
- 195
Pocket card
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Champasakຈຳປາສັກ
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
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ກະລຸນາພາຍໃຈທີ່ນີ້To this address, please
Emergency
- Police191
- Fire190
- Ambulance195
Embassy
US consular services are in Pakse; check the latest address.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Longtail boat Pakse → Champasak: ≈ LAK 170,000, 2½ h (check)
- Tuk‑tuk to Wat Phu (round trip): ≈ LAK 30,000 (check)
Say or show
- ສະບາຍດີ — Hello (sabaidee)
- ຂອບໃຈ — Thank you (khop jai)
- ຈ່າຍບໍ່? — How much? (ja bai?)
- 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 Champasak. 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 May–Oct (heavy rain) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- River‑front guesthouses for night stays.
- Organized Wat Phu tours with guide and transport.
- Bike‑rental hub near the tourism office.
Sources
Ask about Champasak
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