Okay, here’s my experience with Wattay International Airport in Laos, shared in a blog-post style:
So, I recently had a trip that took me through Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, Laos. Gotta say, it was… an experience. Let me walk you through it, start to finish.
Getting There and Checking In
First off, I grabbed a taxi to the airport. Finding one was easy peasy, pretty much anywhere in Vientiane. The ride itself? Smooth. Not much traffic, which was a nice surprise. I got to the airport and, I’ll be honest, it’s not exactly a massive, sprawling complex. It’s pretty compact, which, in a way, is kinda nice.
I walked inside and found the check-in area for my flight. No problem there, the signs were clear enough, even for a non-Lao speaker like myself. The lines weren’t too bad, moved at a decent pace. I handed over my passport and ticket, the usual drill. The check-in staff were friendly, smiling, no complaints there. I got my boarding pass, and then it was time for security.
Security and the Waiting Game
Security was… well, it was security. Standard stuff. Shoes off, laptop out, liquids in a bag. Nothing out of the ordinary. The security folks were efficient, maybe a bit serious, but hey, they’re doing their job. I went through the scanner, collected my stuff, and headed into the departure lounge.
Now, the departure lounge is where things get interesting. It’s not huge, and the seating? Let’s just say it’s cozy. I managed to find a spot, but during peak hours, I can imagine it getting pretty packed. There are a few shops – a duty-free, a couple of souvenir places, a cafe or two. I browsed around a bit, picked up a coffee (needed that caffeine kick!), and then just… waited.
- Tip: If you need to charge your phone, look around carefully for outlets. They’re there, but not super obvious.
- Another Tip: The Wi-Fi is… spotty. Don’t rely on it for anything super important.
Boarding and Beyond
My flight was called, I joined the line, and showed boarding card at the * problem. Then out, walked to the plane across the tarmac – no fancy jet bridges here! I climbed the stairs, found my seat, and that was that.
Overall, Wattay International Airport is a perfectly functional airport. It’s not flashy, but it gets the job done. Just be prepared for a potentially crowded waiting area and maybe bring a book or something to keep yourself entertained. It’s all part of the adventure, right?
