Most buses offload at the station on the north side of Sawan. Air-con buses from Vientiane disgorge passengers at a separate stand nearby, known locally as khiw Sensabai. Tuk-tuks make the two-kilometre run from the bus stations into the city centre. If you've arrived on one of Lao Aviation's rare flights to Savannakhet, the airport is on the southeastern side of the town, a few blocks from the centre, off Makaweha Road. Flights are listed as daily, but are usually cancelled. The slow-boat service to Vientiane has been indefinitely cancelled, now that Route 13 has been upgraded.

As Savannakhet is more sprawling than most Lao towns, you may find that tuk-tuks offer a decent alternative to walking the long blocks outside the old quarter. Bicycles ($1 per day) can be rented at Sensabay restaurant and at a no-name restaurant opposite the Savanhthy Food Garden. The Nanhai Hotel has a van (price dependent on destination and mileage) for hire. You can also hire a car plus driver at Savanbanhao Tourism (tel 041/212202), on Senna Road, three blocks north of the church. Self-drive at either place is not an option. The Tourism Authority is at the corner of Latsaphanit and Chaleumit roads (tel 041/212755).