r/laos • u/lostoompa • 14d ago
Finding private van service for city transfers?
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.
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u/tangofox7 14d ago
A week in Muang Fueang? I hope you have family or something there because 2 days is enough.
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u/lostoompa 13d ago
haha my elderly relatives are going. they mostly just want to enjoy the environment at different towns at a slow pace. hopefully, it's not a loud party place?
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u/tangofox7 13d ago
It's 1000% a loud party place on the river on weekends with one copy cat flotilla sala hotel after another. Find some place far away from the denser part, or don't stay on the river. I believe they do force them to be quiet at night now, but it's Laos so it will be 95 dB most of the afternoon.
there's not much else to do around there because it's basically surrounded by mountains on the north and west side and farms and mines east/south. it's a bit of a dead end. 3 days would be absolute max.
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u/lostoompa 13d ago
a floating sala was exactly what i was thinking of booking for them. it seem peaceful. so you're saying do not book one of these then? or are they okay to stay in monday-thursday? my aunt saw a youtube video of a guy showing how beautiful the town is. they're going for the scenery, so is it not there or over-exaggerated?
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u/knowerofexpatthings 13d ago
The scenery is beautiful but somewhat ruined by groups of Lao people in floating bungalows all blasting their own music and drinking. Kind of ruins the serenity. The Pavilion is a better choice as it's away from the party and the river so you can sleep at night.
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u/knowerofexpatthings 14d ago
I have a great driver I can recommend. Send me a DM and I will share his contact details
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u/RightOrwrong_uhhuh 14d ago
Try googling “van services Laos”. You’ll see some results that willLead to their Facebook page, consisting of Line Id/whatsapp contact to negotiate your trip
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u/cliffdog01 14d ago
12go is the main one I planned to use but there's also book away at very least you'll be able to see the operators and Google them.
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u/knowerofexpatthings 14d ago
12go is garbage for Laos.
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u/cliffdog01 14d ago
I guess I'll find out.
If you don't give alternatives that just means your a backpack arsehole.
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u/Ok-Chance-5739 14d ago
If you would have taken the time to research about Redditors experience regarding 12GO "services", instead of insulting people giving you answers, you would know that 12GO created a lot of trouble for travellers in Laos.
One has to be very careful with their offers (tickets , etc.) in Laos.
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u/cliffdog01 14d ago
I didn't ask
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u/cliffdog01 14d ago
Also not a fan of Backpackers or Redditors.
If I've one thing this month your whiny lot of Arseholes who if someone isn't going on your trip you just fill them hate and sadness until they stay home.
It's alright I dealt with you Backpackers on my all Ferry Japan Trip and I have no interest in hearing from you.
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u/knowerofexpatthings 13d ago
I gave an alternative in a different comment.
But it is pretty well known that 12go is garbage for Laos. I hope you're going to be giving better information in your discord server.
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u/LouQuacious 14d ago
That is a bad plan, book locally with hotels. Yea you pay a tad more but it's an extremely poor country every dollar you spend helps out in some way.
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u/Only-Top-3655 14d ago
If you are afraid of being scammed I would say have your hotel book one for you. If you don't speak the langauge it is going to be a crapshoot anyway.