Major city · Laos
Plain of Jars
Spend 2 days: day 1 Jar Site 1 (35 k‑fee, 45‑min bike ride), day 2 Jar Sites 2‑3 (30 k each, motorbike tour). Travel from Vientiane 10–12 h by bus.
The Plain of Jars is a UNESCO‑listed megalithic field on the Xiangkhoang Plateau. Most visitors see three main jar sites; a two‑day stay lets you explore them, visit a local museum and rest in Phonsavan. Travel is by bus or plane to Phonsavan, then bike or motorbike to the sites.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- LAK
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- avoid Apr–Oct (rain and road mud)
- Airport
- PKS
- Nights
- 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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Plain of Jars191 ▾
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 Plain of Jars, 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
- SafetyUXO risk is low if you stay on marked routes; basic road safety applies on mountain roads.
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.
- AirportcheckPKS Phonsavan Airport (Lao Airlines 4–6 flights/week to Vientiane (check schedule).).
- Getting aroundFrom Phonsavan, rent a motorbike (≈20 k kip/day) or bicycle (≈2 k kip parking at Site 1).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealSnack (banana, chips)2 k–4 k kip
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomLAK 50,000
- Mid-range bedPrivate double room, a night, per roomLAK 40,000
- High-end bedPrivate double room, a night, per roomLAK 60,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget LAK 15,000 · Mid LAK 30,000 · High LAK 50,000
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 Phonsavan Airport (Lao Airlines 4–6 flights/week to Vientiane (check schedule).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Feb
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Mar
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Apr
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jul
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Dec
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Best: Nov–Mar. Avoid: Apr–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C) low), wettest Jun (9 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Plain of Jars: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2 rd
Feb
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Jun
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Jul
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
6 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4 rd
Nov
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3 rd
Dec
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°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
From Phonsavan, rent a motorbike (≈20 k kip/day) or bicycle (≈2 k kip parking at Site 1). Minivan hire US$50‑80 (≈1 M kip). Local buses connect Phonsavan to Vientiane (10‑12 h) and Luang Prabang (≈11 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
Jar Site 1
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Bike 8–15 km (5–9.3 mi) from Phonsavan, 30–45 min; parking 2 k kipBike 5–9.3 mi (8–15 km) from Phonsavan, 30–45 min; parking 2 k kip
Entrance fee 35 k kip; early morning visit avoids crowds.
Jar Sites 2 & 3
goDoor to door: ≈2 h
Motorbike tour from Phonsavan, 20–30 km (12–19 mi) totalMotorbike tour from Phonsavan, 12–19 mi (20–30 km) total
Each site fee 30 k kip; follow red‑white markers.
Phonsavan market & museum
goDoor to door: 15 min
Walk in town
Local textiles, war‑history exhibits.
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.
Golden Mountain Garden
Mid‑range guesthouse in Phonsavan, close to the old airport.
Local guesthouses
Simple rooms 15‑30 k per night; book via Phonsavan hostels.
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
- 15 k–25 k kip excl. bed
- Mid
- 25 k–45 k kip excl. bed
Trip budget
| Private double room1 × 2 nights × LAK 40,000 | LAK 80,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × LAK 30,000 | LAK 120,000 |
| Lao Airlines Phonsavan–Vientiane round‑trip2 × LAK 150,000 | LAK 300,000 |
| Motorbike rental (1 day)2 × LAK 20,000 | LAK 40,000 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × LAK 30,000 | LAK 60,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | LAK 60,000 |
| Trip total≈ LAK 165,000 per person per day, bed included | LAK 660,000 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bottled water (500 ml) | 1 k–2 k kip |
| Snack (banana, chips) | 2 k–4 k kip |
| Meal at local cafe | 15 k–30 k kip |
| Motorbike rental (per day) | 20 k kip |
| Entrance fee Site 1 | 35 k kip |
| Entrance fee Sites 2‑3 | 30 k kip each |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Unexploded ordnance remains; stay on marked paths and follow MAG markers.
- Site 2 and 3 can be slippery in rain; bring sturdy shoes.
- Entrance fees: Site 1 35 k kip, Sites 2‑3 30 k kip each (check for updates).
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Fire
- 190
- Ambulance
- 195
Pocket card
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Plain of JarsPlain of Jars
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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Emergency
- Police191
- Fire190
- Ambulance195
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Phonsavan ↔ Vientiane bus: ≈95 k kip, 10–12 h
- Motorbike rental (day): ≈20 k kip
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 Plain of Jars. 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–Oct (rain and road mud) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in Luang Prabang (3–4 nights) before heading east.
- Combine with a Mekong river cruise from Vientiane for a longer loop.
Sources
Ask about Plain of Jars
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