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I’ve rented from Anousay Motorbike Rental around ten times, and it’s one of the few shops where I’ve never had any trouble returning the bike.
In this guide I’ll walk you through what kinds of bikes they have, how deposits and helmets work, where to refuel (including one nearby gas station you should skip), and a few tips if you’re thinking of riding out to places like Nong Khiaw or the waterfalls.
If this sounds like your kind of travel style, this shop is a strong candidate for your Luang Prabang “base bike”.
Getting around Luang Prabang becomes much easier once you have a motorbike.
Tuk-tuks and walking are fine inside the old town, but a bike makes it realistic to visit waterfalls, caves, and other spots in the countryside at your own pace.
Because there are so many small shops, it’s not impossible to end up arguing over whether a scratch or crack was there before you rented the bike.
If you’d rather avoid that kind of drama on holiday, it helps to choose a shop with a solid track record.
Anousay Motorbike Rental is one of the shops I use most often in Luang Prabang.
Don’t forget to bring it with you when you go to the shop.
The shop is in a convenient central location, so it’s easy to swing by soon after you arrive in town.
What kinds of bikes can you rent at Anousay?
Among the many rental shops in Luang Prabang, Anousay Motorbike Rental has one of the largest selections of bikes in town.
You’ll find automatics, semi-automatics, and full manual bikes.
One big advantage of Anousay is that you can usually pick something close to the type of bike you ride at home.
If you’re more comfortable on an automatic scooter, you’ll find one.
If you prefer manual, they have those too.
The only small downside is that engine sizes are basically limited to 110cc or 125cc.
There aren’t larger displacement bikes here.
Anousay also rents electric bikes and bicycles.
If you’re not planning to leave the city but just want an easy way to get around town, these can be a good option.
I like having this variety; when I know I’ll only be cruising slowly around town, I sometimes choose a simpler bike rather than a manual.
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“There are no bikes out front” – is the shop actually out of stock?
Most rental shops in Luang Prabang line up their bikes on the street in front of the shop.
At small places, what you see outside is everything they have; if the space in front is empty, all the bikes are out.
Anousay Motorbike Rental is different.
Even if there are no bikes parked in front, they have a large stock in the garage behind the shop.
Don’t be put off if the street looks empty.
Just walk into the shop and tell them you’d like to rent a bike.
ADVICE ADDED
I always take a minute to sit on the bike, check the brakes and lights, and do a short test ride up and down the street before I confirm the rental—those sixty seconds can tell you a lot about how a bike feels.
Can you ride Anousay’s bikes outside Luang Prabang district?
Many rental shops in Luang Prabang don’t like their bikes to leave the Luang Prabang district and may refuse if you mention long-distance trips.
At Anousay Motorbike Rental, taking the bike further afield is possible for some models, as long as you discuss your plan with them.
If you’re planning a long ride, clearly tell them something like “I want to ride to _ ” and check what they say.
ADVICE ADDED
On any long ride in Laos, plan generous breaks, start early in the day, and don’t underestimate how tiring heat plus bumpy roads can be.
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Helmets: free options, paid full-face, and hygiene tips
Like other rental shops, Anousay provides helmets for free when you rent a bike.
The common problem in Laos is that free helmets are often old, damaged, or have a strong smell.
At small shops, the number of helmets is limited, so you can’t really choose.
Anousay Motorbike Rental has a relatively large number of free helmets, which makes it easier to pick one you’re comfortable with.
They also have paid full-face helmets that are almost like new and kept in much better condition.
If you want more protection and a cleaner helmet, this is worth considering.
The condition of the free helmets is not perfect, but they are usable.
If you feel uneasy about wearing a helmet that other people have used, bringing or buying a thin inner cap makes a big difference.
ADVICE ADDED
Once I started using an inner cap under rental helmets, I stopped worrying about smells and could focus more on the road instead.
How does fuel work – and which nearby gas station should you avoid?
When you rent a bike from Anousay, it usually comes with about 1 litre of fuel in the tank.
Think of this as a small service from the shop.
Because of that, it’s totally fine if you return the bike with less than one litre of fuel.
There is no requirement to top it up to the original level.
On the other hand, if you return the bike with more than one litre left, you won’t get any refund, so most people try to bring it back with the tank as close to empty as is safely possible.
At local gas stations, it’s common to tell the staff the amount of money you want to spend, not the number of litres.
In Laos, fuel is expensive for many locals, so most people buy by amount.
Staff are very used to this.
ADVICE ADDED
I usually decide a rough budget for fuel per day and simply ask for that amount in kip each time—it keeps my spending predictable and matches how local riders do it.
A recommended station and one “problem” station
There is a recommended gas station a little way from Anousay Motorbike Rental.
It’s popular with local residents, and the one litre of fuel in your tank is enough to get there comfortably.
It makes a nice “shakedown ride” to get used to your bike.
Closer to the shop, there is another gas station you should know about.
If you stand with your back to Anousay Motorbike Rental, there is a gas station diagonally across the road, directly in front of Wat Visounnarath (Wat Visoun).
This station is very close and convenient, but it has a bad reputation for short-changing customers.
For example, there have been cases where someone asks for 30,000 kip of fuel but only receives fuel worth around 23,000 kip.
It’s not a huge amount of money, but the attitude feels unfriendly and a bit too used to taking advantage of foreigners.
To avoid that unpleasant feeling, it’s better to use other gas stations instead of the one facing Wat Visoun.
How strict is the damage check when you return the bike?
When you bring the bike back, the shop will check for damage and missing parts.
If there’s actual damage, you’ll be expected to pay for repairs.
At Anousay Motorbike Rental, the return-check is surprisingly relaxed.
On bikes that already have many scratches, staff sometimes don’t check the body at all.
I’ve even returned bikes that were covered in mud after riding on bad roads, and nobody said anything.
As a renter, that kind of attitude makes things much less stressful.
Across roughly ten rentals from Anousay, I’ve never once been blamed for scratches or damage I didn’t cause.
That said, you still need to protect yourself so no one can accuse you of damage you didn’t do.
I always take a short 360-degree video of the bike when I first rent it , walking all the way around to record its condition.
ADVICE ADDED
I now do this at every rental shop in Southeast Asia; it only takes about 30 seconds and gives me a lot of peace of mind.
Why having a bike makes your Luang Prabang trip feel different
With a motorbike, you can easily reach sights outside town like Kuang Si Waterfall, Tad Sae Waterfall, and Pak Ou Caves.
Instead of negotiating separate tuk-tuk prices every time, you can just check the map, start the engine, and go.
The feeling of riding through the open countryside around Luang Prabang is completely different from sitting in the back of a tuk-tuk.
It’s its own kind of freedom and adventure.
It’s not about flashy horsepower or big-name brands—it’s the quiet kind of escape where you ride along the Mekong, feel the wind, and for a while it feels like the road is yours.
If this is the kind of experience you want, Anousay Motorbike Rental is very likely to make you happy.
If you prefer pre-arranged tours and don’t enjoy riding, a motorbike might not be the best choice, and you’ll probably be happier sticking to tuk-tuks and organised day trips.
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