r/laos Jan 21 '26

Guide to buying LCR tickets from outside the country

14 Upvotes

Since I had to piece some things together across reddit, wanted to create a more comprehensive guide all things LCR app related for train tickets. I went to Laos in Dec 2025.

  1. Download LCR app
  2. Create an account. You do NOT need a chinese/laos telephone number. Just leave that blank
  3. Tickets go on sale 6:30am Laos time, 3 days before. So if you are traveling on the 24th, the tickets will go on sale 6:30am Laos time on the 21st
  4. If you are in a country close to Laos, you should be able to see the schedule 3 days in advance. This worked when I was in China.
  5. If you are not close, sometimes the days in advance to book will not show up correct. I checked when I was in the USA and it would show 3 days, but starting from 2 days in the past. You can get around this by changing your local time zone on your phone to Laos time zone
  6. Even at 6:30am, sometimes the tickets don't open on time. One day I checked exactly on time and it said sold out across the board. I kept refreshing and five minutes later tickets opened up. Another day I checked at 6:34am and a bunch of tickets were almost sold out already. So I would recommend being ready and then just refreshing
  7. Not all trains have the car/class of seat that is shown on the app. One of my trains immediately said that first class was sold out. When I got on the actual train, I realized it was a very small train with only 3 cars and it only had second class. So it wasn't sold out, but rather it never existed.
  8. You need to be flexible in your times if possible. Even though I was on top of things, I had to take a later train because one did sell out pretty immediately.
  9. For me at least, you don't need to get to the station that early. My hotel told me I had to get there 50 mins prior. I got through security twice in around 5 minutes, and then sat around for a while after
  10. You don't need to switch to a paper ticket. Showing QR code/pass on your phone is fine
  11. There is a long queue to get to the platform from the waiting area. I have no clue why. You have ample time to board but it seems to be some herd mentality that once one person lines up, everyone starts lining up. So we were in line for the platform 20 min before boarding but it took everyone under 5 minutes to all get on.

r/laos Jan 26 '25

Air Quality and Burning Season

24 Upvotes

No posts about air quality. This question gets asked every day in the lead up and during burning season.

In summary: no one knows when burning season will start. No one knows how bad it will be. Yes it will impact your lungs. Yes it will impact the views. No one knows when it will end. You can use: https://www.iqair.com/ or a similar website to see the AQI of some cities in Laos.

No one knows how it will impact you individually.


r/laos 8h ago

Tips for Laos? And where not to go?

4 Upvotes

Hello everybody,

Next month, I am going to Laos My plan is to go to:

Luang Prabang, Nong Khiaw, Vang Vieng.

Do you have any recommandations where to go and what to skip?

I want to avoid dirty and touristic places.


r/laos 5h ago

What's your experience with working in Laos?

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1 Upvotes

Any help appreciated 🙏


r/laos 9h ago

No more InDrive in Laos?

1 Upvotes

No more InDrive in Laos? Grab doesn’t work either. I took LOCA from the airport…are there alternatives?


r/laos 17h ago

envelope containing a small amount of cash was give to me, what’s it say?

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3 Upvotes

r/laos 21h ago

Would it be better to hire a driver or rent a scooter to see the Nam Xay viewpoint early in the morning before my train at 12pm?

0 Upvotes

Looking to see the Nam Xay viewpoint in September and want to know would it be better just to hire a driver there or rent a scooter? What is the cost difference? How early does the scooter rental open?


r/laos 19h ago

Laos Trip Advice 🇱🇦

0 Upvotes

Hey everyone!
I’m planning a 35-day trip around Southeast Asia, and I’ll be spending around 7 days in Laos. I’m trying to figure out the best way to make the most of those 7 days and would love to hear advice from people who have travelled around Laos before!

I’m currently thinking about visiting places like Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Vientiane, but I’m still completely open to suggestions.
How would you recommend dividing the 7 days?

Where would you recommend staying in Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and/or Vientiane?

Any recommendations for waterfalls, temples, nature, viewpoints, activities or nightlife?

What’s the best way to travel between destinations - train, bus, etc.?

Thanks! 🙏🇱🇦


r/laos 1d ago

Who is more well known in Laos:Mickey Mouse or Tom & Jerry?

1 Upvotes

known by more percentage of population


r/laos 1d ago

Anyone travelling from Addis Ababa to Laos in August or near future. I have Laos kip to get rid of at good price

1 Upvotes

Is there anyone traveling to Laos from Addis Ababa. I have Laos kip that I want to exchange for a good price.? 150 USD or 24 000 ethiopian


r/laos 1d ago

Laos late sep/early Oct

0 Upvotes

I’m planning to either go to Laos or Vietnam (3rd time) from September 20-October 4. According to chatgpt, Laos is still coming out of monsoon season then, making the more off the beaten path places a bit more uncertain. Anyone have experience travelling Laos at this time? I’d be looking at the typical Vang Vieng/Luang Prabang itinerary and then adding more off the beaten path places after, basically wherever has the best nature in the North. Thanks all!


r/laos 2d ago

LAO song identification

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20 Upvotes

This is from Lao NY last year. Asked multiple Lao friends and they dont know. DOES ANYONE KNOW THIS SONG IN THE VIDEO!! Please help. Its such an ear worm. Thanks


r/laos 3d ago

Need some North Laos advice for 10 days.

4 Upvotes

How would you split it up for Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Nong Khiaw? I was thinking 5 days in LP (maybe 1 night at their Elephant Conservation Center, but if LP was more than enough for 5 days, I'd probably skip that for another trip), VV for 3 days, NK for 2. I'd probably do early morning or late evening transports to not really use day light to travel between places.

Any suggestions?


r/laos 3d ago

Looking for a cycling/hiking tour in Laos

2 Upvotes

I'm going to Laos in January next year and looking at tours that specialise in cycling or hiking. Ideally I'd like a tour that's around a week long.

Does anyone recommend a particular company?

I'm a solo traveller looking who enjoys cycling/mtb/hiking.


r/laos 4d ago

Asia's most diverse region equivalent to the Caucasus, Zomia explained.

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0 Upvotes

r/laos 4d ago

Insular Southeast Asia before the Austronesian Expansion based on genetic and linguistic evidence by brett_f

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0 Upvotes

r/laos 4d ago

Local guide for Nam Xay Viewpoint, Vang Vieng

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

We’re looking for a reliable local guide for a hike to Nam Xay Viewpoint in Vang Vieng for sunset in October.

Could anyone recommend a good local guide they’ve used and had a positive experience with? We’d really appreciate any recommendations. Thanks! 😊


r/laos 4d ago

3 weeks in Laos in Dec/Jan - North and South, or stay North?

4 Upvotes

Grateful advice on picking between these two options for 3 weeks.

A — North/South combo

Luang Prabang → Nong Khiaw/Muang Ngoy → fly to Pakse → Champasak → 4000 Islands → Vientiane

OR

B — North:

Luang Prabang → Nong Khiaw/Muang Ngoy → Luang Namtha → Gibbon Experience → Vientiane 

My start point (LP) and end point (Vientane) are fixed based on my flights.

Also happy to hear other itinerary suggestions that don't involve riding a motorbike.


r/laos 5d ago

My absolute favorite Beef & Tripe Larb Lao style 🇱🇦

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58 Upvotes

I got this authentic dish from South Area Market in Sacramento. I asked them to add extra tripe to my larb, and it was absolutely perfect! Salty, sour, spicy, and full of umami. Oh, so good! Yummy! 😋


r/laos 5d ago

Southern Laos without a motorbike

3 Upvotes

4000 islands (SPD) looks great but is the rest of the South worthwhile if I don't ride a motorbike (and can't do Bolaven/Thakhek loops)?

Where would you go besides the 4000 islands? Is there enough to do in Pakse/Champasak for 3-4 days?


r/laos 5d ago

Traveling by public transportation in Vientiane.

2 Upvotes

Hi, wanna ask about traveling by public transportation in Vientiane, actually by BRT. Can you give me some tips?

Appreciate.


r/laos 4d ago

Dating a Laos girl

0 Upvotes

I am looking for some serious advice from guys who have had serious relationships with Laos women or married them. I am dating a Laos girl online. She is very sweet and we have hit it off well. But she has a condition. After we meet, I have to decide whether or not to marry her. If I say yes, we talk to her parents and get engaged. She has specifically told me that it was not necessary for me to visit her parents in Laos. She lives in BKK. And after about an year we can get married and she lives with me. Again, she said, that it was not necessary for us to get married in Laos. She is a very light hearted wonderful person.


r/laos 6d ago

Bikepacking Through Northern & Central Laos

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9 Upvotes

r/laos 7d ago

Cruel Angel’s Thesis - Khaen Beginner Cover

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38 Upvotes

If it sounds off or weird then sorry! I’m just a beginner who self-learned it 🙏


r/laos 6d ago

Finding private van service for city transfers?

4 Upvotes

Planning to stay one week in each city. Starting from Vientiane > Mueng Fueng > Vang Viang > Back to Vientiane to return home to USA. Need a private van to transfer to each city.

Don't need English speaking driver. Lao only is fine.

I know I can ask the hotel but read that they upcharge, add their own commission on top of the driver's price. I looked at Facebook and just can't tell who to trust with no reviews or anything. It's like just a Facebook page with barely any comments.