By road from Thailand: the Second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge connects Mukdahan Province (Thailand) with Savannakhet and is the main entry point from the west. Buses run from Mukdahan bus station directly to Savannakhet; international travellers can get a Lao visa on arrival at the bridge crossing. From Vientiane, buses take 8-9 hours south on Route 13. From Pakse (southern Laos), 4-5 hours north. The east-west Route 9 runs through Savannakhet toward Lao Bao and the Vietnamese border; buses cover this route for those travelling to or from Da Nang or Hue. Savannakhet has a small airport (ZVK) with connections to Vientiane and occasional regional routes, but the bus is usually more practical.