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VTE Wattay International Airport

Reviewed & updated by יהב עטיה · About the team

Wattay International Airport (VTE) serves Vientiane, about 5 km northwest of Vientiane. Below: trains and buses from the terminal, an estimated taxi fare to town and nearby cities, where you can fly from here, and hotels nearby.

IATAVTE
ICAOVLVT
ServesVientiane
From centre5 km
Non-stop17
Airlines8
TimezoneAsia/Vientiane
Elevation172 m

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The airport in numbers

Wattay International Airport — facts & history

We pulled Wattay International Airport's numbers from the open aviation datasets.

Elevation
172 מ׳
above sea level
Operator
Lao People's Armed Forces

Figures: Wikidata (CC0)

Airport to city

Getting from Wattay International Airport to Vientiane

The airport is about 5 km northwest of Vientiane, about 14 minutes by road in normal traffic.

Train & bus: Check in advance whether a train or shuttle bus runs from the terminal — at many airports it's the fastest and cheapest way into town.

Taxi & apps: Take a taxi from the official rank with the meter, or pre-book a ride on a known app. Avoid drivers touting for a fare in the arrivals hall.

Tipping: Rounding up is accepted almost everywhere.

Transport guidance is generic for this country — check exact details on the airport's own site.

Way inTime to centreCost
Train / bus~15 mincheapestCHEAPEST
Taxi~14 minmetered
Private transfer~14 minfixed upfront
Car rental~14 min + חניהfrom the terminal
Distances

From VTE to nearby cities

Estimated drive times in normal traffic, and an approximate taxi fare at the local tariff. A pre-booked transfer is usually cheaper.

DestinationDistanceDriveTaxi (est.)
Vang Vieng105 km110 min—
Choose and book

Which way suits you from Wattay International Airport

Taxi

Cheapest for a short trip, one or two people.

Private transfer

Fixed price upfront, driver with a sign. For a late arrival, bags, kids or a group.

Car rental

If you're touring the region. Desks in the terminal, booking ahead beats the counter.

Train or bus is usually the cheapest — details above.

Book your airport transfer in Vientiane ahead, no terminal surprises.

Route network

Where you can fly from Wattay International Airport

Non-stop flights to about 17 destinations, operated by 8 airlines. The busiest routes:

Airlines here: Lao Airlines · Vietnam Airlines · FlyNordic · China Eastern Airlines · Bangkok Airways · Jin Air · AirAsia · Thai Airways International

At the airport

Left luggage & lost and found at Wattay International Airport

Most large airports offer left-luggage inside the terminal, usually by the hour or day and with a size limit. A common, cheaper alternative: in-city storage points near stations and sights — handy for an early arrival before check-in, or after check-out.

Something lost in the terminal is handled by the airport's lost-and-found office (usually near baggage claim); something left on the plane is the airline's responsibility. Keep your flight details, seat number and a description of the item.

Sleep nearby

Hotels near Wattay International Airport

For an early connection — a hotel by the terminal saves a taxi and a headache.

Rates in Vientiane shift daily. See what your night costs now.

Reviews — Wattay International Airport

No reviews yet — be the first to share.

Airports nearby

Other options near Vientiane

Same country

Other airports in Laos

Q&A

Answers to your questions

How do I get from Wattay International Airport to the centre of Vientiane?
Check in advance whether a train or shuttle bus runs from the terminal — at many airports it's the fastest and cheapest way into town. The airport is about 5 km northwest of Vientiane, about 14 minutes by road.
Can I use a ride app from Wattay International Airport?
Take a taxi from the official rank with the meter, or pre-book a ride on a known app. Avoid drivers touting for a fare in the arrivals hall.
What's the cheapest way from Wattay International Airport to Vientiane?
Train or bus, almost always — usually a fraction of the taxi fare. Check in advance whether a train or shuttle bus runs from the terminal — at many airports it's the fastest and cheapest way into town.
Can I get from Wattay International Airport into town without a car?
Yes. Check in advance whether a train or shuttle bus runs from the terminal — at many airports it's the fastest and cheapest way into town. For a late arrival or a lot of bags, a pre-booked transfer is easier.
Where can I fly non-stop from Wattay International Airport?
About 17 destinations, including Bangkok, Hanoi, Kunming, Seoul. 8 airlines operate here.
Can I leave luggage at the airport?
Most large airports have a left-luggage service, and there are also in-city storage points near stations and sights that are usually cheaper with no size limit.
Where is Wattay International Airport's lost and found?
Items found in the terminal (not on the aircraft) are handled by the airport's lost-and-found office — usually near baggage claim or the information desks, sometimes one office per terminal. Anything left on the plane is the airline's responsibility. Current contact details are on Wattay International Airport's official site.
How do I know which terminal my flight leaves from at Wattay International Airport?
The terminal is on your boarding pass and booking confirmation, and updates on the departure boards at the entrance. Rule of thumb: each airline works from a fixed terminal, and airlines in the same alliance are usually grouped together. With a connection, check whether you change terminals and how long that takes.
Vientiane city guide← Laos travel guideAll airports

About this page

Written and checked by the Around the World team. We compare prices across the major providers, cross-check official sources, and update when something changes. We have no stake in any one provider — links are affiliate links, and the price is the same for you.

Sources: Airport data: OpenFlights (ODbL) · Route network: OpenFlights routes

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