Wattay International Airport
Vientiane, Laos
Wattay International Airport
Laos's primary international gateway serving the capital Vientiane.
- ›Wattay is the busiest airport in Laos by passenger volume.
- ›The international terminal opened in 2009 as part of a major expansion project.
- ›Lao Airlines, the national carrier, uses Wattay as its primary hub.
- ›The airport is located approximately 4 km northwest of downtown Vientiane.
- ›Wattay has served military and civilian purposes since at least the 1950s, including during the Vietnam War era.
Wattay International Airport is the principal international gateway of Laos, located just 4 kilometres west of central Vientiane. Originally built during the French colonial era and significantly upgraded in the 2000s, it handles the majority of the country's international and domestic air traffic. The airport reflects Laos's gradual but steady growth in tourism and regional connectivity, serving as the primary hub for Lao Airlines.
- International Terminal — Handles all international arrivals and departures with immigration, customs, duty-free shops, and basic dining facilities.
- Domestic Terminal — A smaller, adjacent building serving domestic routes to Luang Prabang, Pakse, and other Lao cities.
- Metered taxis available at the official taxi counter in the arrivals hall
- Airport buses connecting to central Vientiane
- Tuk-tuks and shared minivans for budget travellers heading downtown
- Car rental desks from local and regional operators inside the terminal
- Ride-hailing apps such as LOCA available in Vientiane
- Don Chan Palace Hotel & Convention
- Crowne Plaza Vientiane
- Lao Plaza Hotel
- Green Park Boutique Hotel
- Mercure Vientiane
Inside the terminal, food options are limited but include a small café and basic Lao and international snack counters in the departures area. Just outside the airport along Luang Prabang Road, travellers will find a variety of local restaurants and street food stalls serving traditional Lao dishes such as khao piak sen and larb. Central Vientiane, only a short ride away, offers a far wider range of dining from riverside Lao cuisine to French-influenced bistros.
- Arrive at least 2 hours before international flights as queues at immigration and check-in can be slow during peak hours.
- Visa on Arrival is available for most nationalities — bring two passport photos and sufficient USD or Thai Baht as payment.
- Exchange currency at the bank counter inside the arrivals hall before heading into the city, as rates in the airport are reasonable.
- Negotiate taxi fares at the official counter before getting in, or use the metered option to avoid overcharging.
AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.
Route map (17 destinations)
Airlines serving this airport
Routes
Pick what matters for your layover or early flight, then compare on your favorite booking site.
IndianAirports may receive compensation when you book or purchase through some of the links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Prices and availability are set by the booking provider and may change. We never share your private trip details with partners — only the destination, dates and party size you searched.
City & Place Guide
No guide exists for this place yet — Click to generate a Traveler Pulse guide.
Passport, Visa & Immigration
Flying internationally via VTE? Check entry, transit and customs requirements for Laos from official government sources.
Wattay International Airport is an international airport in Laos, the country's main international gateway, serving the capital Vientiane, located 3 km (1.9 mi) outside of the city centre in Sikhottabong district, Vientiane Prefecture. The airport is operated by the Lao Airport Authority (LAA) and serves as a hub for Lao Skyway, Lanexang Airways International, and Lao Airlines. The Lao Air Force also operates an installation at one end of the airport.
Read full article on Wikipedia