Top 5 best scooter rentals in Vientiane

Vientiane doesn't rush you the way other Southeast Asian capitals do, and that's exactly what makes it a scooter city. Picture riding past the gold spires of Pha That Luang in the early morning light, then following the Mekong riverside promenade as the sun drops behind the hills of Thailand on the opposite bank. You can be sipping a coffee at a riverside stall one hour and wandering the sculpture gardens of Buddha Park the next — no tuk-tuk haggling, no bus timetables, just you and the road.

Low-rise, flat and easy to read, Vientiane is one of the most forgiving capitals in the region to ride in. Traffic moves at a relaxed pace compared to Bangkok or Hanoi, distances between temples and monuments are short, and the roads out to sights like Buddha Park or the Nam Ngum reservoir are simple to follow even without local experience. A scooter turns a scattered list of landmarks into one smooth, flexible loop, and it's the only practical way to reach the out-of-town stops that a tuk-tuk driver won't want to wait around for.

Top 10 things to see in Vientiane by scooter

1. Pha That Luang — the gold-covered national stupa, the city's most iconic landmark and an easy ride from the center.
2. Patuxai (Victory Monument) — Vientiane's Arc de Triomphe-style gate on Lane Xang Avenue, worth climbing for a view over the city.
3. Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan) — a surreal sculpture park on the Mekong about 25km southeast of town, a classic day trip by scooter.
4. Wat Sisaket — the city's oldest surviving temple, known for its thousands of small Buddha niches.
5. Wat Ho Phra Keo (Haw Phra Kaew) — a former royal temple turned museum, right across from Wat Sisaket.
6. Mekong Riverside Promenade / Chao Anouvong Park — the natural spot for a sunset ride, with views across to Thailand.
7. Wat Si Muang — the city's most active temple for locals, great for people-watching and offerings.
8. COPE Visitor Centre — a small, moving museum on Laos's war remnants, a quieter add-on stop.
9. Vientiane Night Market — riverside stalls that open in the evening, a natural end point for a day loop.
10. Nam Ngum Dam / Reservoir — a longer route out of the city (around 90km each way) to a lake and dam, best planned as a half-day or full-day ride.

What do you need to rent a scooter in Vientiane?

You legally need a valid motorcycle licence, though enforcement at rental shops is loose — many will hand over the keys against a passport alone. Still, riding without a licence voids your travel insurance if something goes wrong, so it's worth bringing one. Shops generally expect riders to be at least 18. An International Driving Permit isn't required. For the deposit, the common local practice is for the shop to hold your passport for the rental period; some accept a passport photocopy plus a cash deposit instead.

How much does it cost to rent a scooter in Vientiane?

Expect around 110,000–130,000 LAK per day for a basic semi-automatic 110cc scooter in low season, rising to roughly 150,000–200,000 LAK per day in high season. Step up to a larger automatic, such as a Honda Click/PCX-class 125–150cc, and prices run about 200,000–350,000 LAK per day.

• Prices climb in December and January, the cool, dry peak season.
• They drop from June to September, during the rainy low season.

When to book a rental scooter in Vientiane?

High season runs November to February, when the weather is at its driest and coolest and demand — along with prices — peaks around December and January. Low season stretches from June to October through the southwest monsoon, when rates are lower but you should plan around rain showers. If you're travelling over Lao New Year in mid-April, book well ahead: it's a secondary high point with citywide celebrations that can affect availability.

Local traffic rules in Vientiane

Laos drives on the right, with overtaking on the left. Helmets are mandatory for scooter and motorcycle riders and are checked at police posts around the city. Speed limits are posted but vary between the built-up center and outer roads, so keep an eye out for signage and slow down through villages, which often string out for kilometres along the main roads. Drink-driving is prohibited and enforced with roadside checks — treat zero alcohol as the practical rule before you ride.

Types of scooters available

On our website you can rent the following types of scooters: classic scooter, Vespa, moped, motoroller, motoscooter, with a sidecar, with automatic or manual gears, three-wheeled scooters, large, maxi-scooter, touring, scooters with a windscreen and a roof, underbones, electric scooters.

Models of scooters available

On our website you can hire scooters from the following manufacturers: Adly, Aeon, Aprilia, Piaggio, Bajaj, Benelli, Beta, BMW, Derbi, Gilera, Honda, Kawasaki, Kymco, LML, Malaguti, Peugeot, PGO, Suzuki, SYM, TVS, Vespa, Yamaha.

Which insurance is provided with my rental scooter?

Usually basic third-party insurance is included in the rental price. If you wish to have more protection you can purchase additional CDW insurance, which limits your risk to the amount of your deposit. If you wish to rent a scooter without a deposit and with zero risk, you will need to add full insurance to your reservation.

Extra services available

When you make an online scooter reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: integral helmet, GPS navigation, intercom, unlimited mileage, top case, side cases, boots, jacket, gloves, individual guide or tour, map, full insurance, one-way rental, delivery to your hotel, delivery to your address, delivery to the arrival point of your choice.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Find the best deals for scooter hire;
• Compare prices of scooter rental companies;
• Read reviews of previous customers;
• Reserve a scooter online with the Best Price Guarantee!

Most of our local moped rental companies have many years of experience and will provide you with a well-kept scooter, helmet, lock, top case, GPS, insurance and friendly service. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a scooter, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!