Travel from Phnom Penh to Don Det

The easiest way to travel from Phnom Penh to Don Det in Laos is to book a direct service. The alternative is to take a bus to Stung Treng, then another bus to the border with Laos, then another bus to catch the ferry to Don Det.

Travel Times To Don Det

There is 1 daily direct minivan service from Phnom Penh to Don Det which you can book online.

• Before you travel check that you are permitted to get a Visa on Arrival for Laos at the Laos Border, and if not apply for a visa before you travel to Don Det.

Buy Tickets to Don Det

Use the Search Box below to buy your tickets from Phnom Penh to Don Det.

After booking print out your electronic booking voucher to show to the transport operator before you board the bus.

Phnom Penh AVT Bus Stop

• The Asia Van Transfer bus stop in Phnom Penh is located at Koh Tral Street (Street 65), Phnom Penh.

Don Det AVT bus stop

• The final stop for Asia Van Transfer services from Phnom Penh is the northern end of Don Det.

Things to do in Don Det

Don Det is one of two most popular islands to stay on in the 4,000 Islands region of Laos. As the name suggests, there are lots of islands other than Don Det all situated in the Mekong River. This is a relatively underdeveloped sleepy corner of South East Asia, with no major industries and not a lot going on other than farming and fishing. This relaxed atmosphere is one of the reasons for going there, along with of course some very special scenery which is very different to the dramatic hills further north in Laos. Don Det has become more popular over the last 7 or so years as Vang Vieng, another riverside location in Laos, has become more touristy and more regulated.

There are few historical attractions and no large town town to visit around Don Det. All the things you can do relate to the river and the scenery on the islands, which include:

• Kayaking: Organised tours cost around 200,000 Lao Kip per person and include lunch. You get taken to some waterfalls and maybe you might be luck enough to see the river dolphins.
• Cycling: You can rent a bike for around 20,000 Lao Kip per day depending on the type of bike. The most popular cycling trail takes you to the neighbouring island of Don Khone (note the 35,000 Lao Kip toll on the bridge over to Don Khone) where you can see beaches, waterfalls and some even smaller settlements than the ones on Don Det.
• Tubing: Tube rental costs around 15,000 Lao Kip for the day. The route from the town in the north of Don Det goes as far south as the bridge to Don Khone and after that the current become dangerous dragging the unfortunate and the unobservant towards a large waterfall.
• Dolphin Spotting: There are only about 80 of the elusive river dolphins in the Mekong River so paying 75,000 Lao Kip per hour for a private boat to take you to the right places to see them is a good investment.