How to Go from Vientiane to Vang Vieng (Train, Van, Prices+Times)

Vang Vieng is about 130 kilometers from Vientiane by road.  This route used to be via a tortuous twisty, pot-holed mountain road but an expressway (the Vientiane-Boten expressway) built in 2018 and a train line that opened in 2021 has made a world of difference to this journey.  It takes from 90 minutes to 2 hours to take the route by road, and as little as 52 minutes to take the train. Here are all the options for how to go from Vientiane and Vang Vieng – we also include the route in reverse and how you can get from Vang Vieng to Vientiane.

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The Best Ways to Go from Vientiane to Vang Vieng

There are 3 options for your travel from Vientiane to Vang Vieng.  The first is by minivan and the second, since December 2021 is by train.  The final way to travel between Vientiane and Vang Vieng is by private transfer, which provides the most comfort.

The cheapest way to travel to Vang Vieng from Vientiane is by minivan, this is (apart from a private transfer or the express train) the quickest way to do this route – so long as you don’t get too delayed in picking up people and dropping them off of course!

For all the methods of transport, you’ll need to consider the start and end points.  For trains, the stations are outside of the centers of both Vientiane and Vang Vieng, as are bus stations.  We’ve marked them on the map, so you can work out if that’s an option for you, as there will be additional transfer costs.

You can check all options for transport from Vientiane to Vang Vieng here.

Vientiane to Vang Vieng by Train

Taking the train to Vang Vieng from Vientiane, first of all, involves getting to the train station – the Laos China train – in Vientiane.  The train station in Vientiane is part of the Laos-China railway and you’ll find the station about 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the center of Vientiane. 

Vientiane to the Vientiane Train Station

You can take a bus from the city to the railway station.  3 routes run from Vientiane to the Vientiane Railway Station.

• Route 28 runs from the Vientiane Morning Market to the Vientiane Railway station. 
• Route 25 runs from Xangjieng market to the Vientiane Railway station. 
• Route 47 runs from the Friendship Bridge to the Vientiane Railway Station. 

Alternatively, take a taxi.  You can book a taxi here

Or – book a train and transfer service here. (all connections are guaranteed!)

Route 28 takes about 40 minutes and departs at 06:10, 12:40, 15;30, 17:30 and 19:30

You can find the timetables for the other city bus services here

Vientiane Train Station to Vang Vieng Train Station

There are two trains a day that go from Vientiane to Vang Vieng.  You can travel either first class or second class. There’s not that much price difference, but first class will give you bigger seats, fewer people, and more room.

Book a train from Vientiane to Vang Vieng here.

The train is very popular with locals, so book your preferred time and date as soon as you know it.  You’ll want to arrive about 30 minutes before your train departure time to catch the train to Vang Vieng.

Vang Vieng Railway Station to Vang Vieng

The train station in Vang Vieng is about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from downtown Vang Vieng.  Assuming you don’t want to walk,  then a tuk-tuk will cost about 40,000 LAK and the journey takes about 10 minutes.

Vientiane to Vang Vieng by Private Driver with Sightseeing

If you prefer to make the most of your time in Laos – and maximise your time here – then take a look at using the Daytrip service to go from Vientiane to Vang Vieng. It’s a great way to see the country and its not expensive. You book your car, and then select sightseeing stops along the way. You can pay online by credit card, or pay the driver in cash. Daytrip is an international company that’s been around since 2015 and now you can use them in Laos, where they contract with local drivers, so you’re contributing to the local economy too! You can check the options for stops and prices here

You’ll get an English speaking driver, and pick the stops you want and how long you want them for. What stops to make between Vientiane and Vang Vieng? How about

• Tham Chang Cave
• Tham Nang Water Cave

You can select how long you want to stop for, and your bags will stay safely in the car. It’s a really great option for seeing so much more of Laos. Check out stops, and prices here.

Vientiane to Vang Vieng by Minivan

Vientiane buses aka minivans leave from either the bus company offices or the Vientiane Northern Bus Terminal or you will be picked up from your hotel.  They go to the Vang Vieng Bus Terminal, the address is Vang Vieng Bus Terminal, 13, Vang Vieng, Laos.  (I’ve marked it on the map)

If your bus leaves from Vientiane Northern Bus Terminal, you can take a city bus (or a tuk-tuk) to the bus station in Vientiane.  There are several buses each day, your best option is to figure out what time you want to leave Vientiane and to prebook jour journey to confirm your seat.  If you book online you can obviously pay by card, if you turn up at the bus station you’ll have to pay cash (if there are seats available).

You can get a bus from Vientiane to Vang Vieng at 07:00, 08:30, 09:00, 12:00, and 14:00.  Some of the tickets will include a transfer from your hotel in Vientiane and a transfer at the other end. 

Book a minivan from Vientiane Northern Bus Station to Vang Vieng here.

If you want to include a transfer from your hotel in Vientiane to the bus station and then a transfer from the bus station in Vang Vieng, then book your tickets here.

The Vang Vieng Bus Terminal (minivan drop-off) is 2 kilometers (1.25 miles) from the center of Vang Vieng. 

Private Transfer from Vientiane to Vang Vieng

This is the most comfortable, quickest, and easiest way to go from Vientiane to Vang Vieng.  There’s not a lot to say.  You’ll get picked up from your hotel in Vientiane, drop off at your hotel in Vang Vieng, and air conditioning in between.  Book a transfer here.

Map of Bus Stations & Train Stations to go from Vientiane to Vang Vieng

You can see the full map of transport locations from Vientiane to Vang Vieng here.

Vientiane to Vang Vieng FAQS

Here’s what you need to know about this journey, which has changed a lot since the building of the Vientiane-Boten Expressway, which essentially halved the road journey.  The Lao-China train also significantly changes the transport options to go between Vientiane and Vang Vieng too.

Can you fly from Vientiane to Vang Vieng?

No.  You cannot fly from Vientiane to Vang Vieng as there is no airport in Vang Vieng.  You can travel from Vientiane to Vang Vieng by road or by train.

What is the distance from Vientiane to Vang Vieng?

The distance between Vang Vieng and Vientiane by road is 130 kilometers (81 miles).

Is there a direct bus from Vientiane to Vang Vieng?

Yes, all the services described here are direct bus services between Vang Vieng and Vientiane. You can book direct buses to Vang Vieng from Vientiane here.

How long does it take to go from Vientiane to Vang Vieng?

The journey between Vientiane and Vang Vieng takes between an hour and 2 hours, depending on the transport option you go for.  There may be additional time if you have a hotel pick up and you may have to arrive 30 minutes to 1 hour before your scheduled departure time.

Is there an overnight bus from Vientiane to Vang Vieng?

No there is no overnight bus between Vang Vieng and Vientiane.  Buses and vans leave in the morning or afternoon on this route.

Where do I catch the Vientiane to Vang Vieng Bus from?

You can select to be picked up at your hotel or to meet it at the bus operators’ offices, depending on which service you opt for.  If you choose to take a bus, then it will leave from the Vientiane Northern Bus Terminal and arrive at the Vang Vieng Bus Terminal

Popular transport routes in Laos

Our guide on how to get around Laos and Laos Transportation is here and here are some of the most popular routes around Laos

• How to take the slow boat from Luang Prabang to Huay Xai
• How to Go from Pakse to 4000 Islands
• How to go from Pakse to Vientiane
• How to go from Vientiane to Vang Vieng
• Bangkok to Pakse (ok, so not quite technically within Laos, but…)

Where to stay in Vang Vieng

Splurge on a stay in Vang Vieng at the Inthira, Vang Vieng: The Inthira is a hotel located in the heart of Vang Vieng on the Nam Song riverbank. All of Inthira’s 38 rooms have their own private balcony, private bathroom with a standing shower, a flat-screen TV, and a mini-fridge. WiFi is also freely available throughout Inthira. The Inthira also includes a breakfast buffet at their restaurant, the Khop Chai Deu Restaurant. This top hotel in Vang Vieng also has both an indoor and outdoor pool that comes with an amazing view and also a garden space. Inthira is definitely a hotel you should consider when traveling to Vang Vieng. Check prices of rooms at Inthira here.

For a midrange place to stay in Vang Vieng head for the Riverside Boutique Resort, Vang Vieng: The Riverside Boutique Resort is the first luxury boutique hotel in Vang Vieng. This exceptional hotel is ideally located on the Nam Song riverbank and is just a 10-minute walk away from central Vang Vieng. The 34 rooms of the hotel each have a bathroom with a shower over the bath, air-conditioning, a mini-bar, a private balcony, and cable TV. Each room also includes a hair dryer, bathrobes, and locally-produced soaps and shampoos. The hotel sports a pool, a spa, a bar, a restaurant, and free WiFi access. The Riverside Boutique Resort is a fantastic place to stay when in Vang Vieng. See room rates for the Riverside Boutique in Vang Vieng here.

PM Hotel, Vang Vieng: The PM Hotel is located at Ban Savang in Vang Vieng, 943m away from the center of the town. The PM Hotel’s rooms are air-conditioned, include a TV, a private bathroom with a shower over the bath and hairdryer, a mini-fridge, and a view. Vang Vieng’s PM Hotel also has an outdoor rooftop pool with a view over Vang Vieng’s landscape, a lobby buffet, and free WiFi access. PM Hotel is a great place to stay in Vang Vieng and has plenty to offer. Want to see more about PM Hotel? Check out this budget option in Vang Vieng here.

Travel Tips for Exploring Laos

• Get Travel Insurance: Civitatis includes medical expenses, repatriation, theft, luggage delays. No deductibles or upfront payments. Get a quote here.
• Get online immediately with an eSIM in Laos
• Book the best Laos tours and guides on Klook
• Here’s our guide to ATM fees in Laos
• Save money in Laos with a Wise debit card
• Read our Laos Transport guide here
• Here’s our guide to food and drink in Laos
• Book Buses in Laos with 12goAsia
• Book accommodation in Laos with Agoda

Final Words on Going from Vientiane to Vang Vieng

This journey is a world away from what it used to be.  The expressway and the train make this a really easy (and pleasant) route now.  So pick your poison – road or rail, and enjoy the journey.  Don’t forget to factor in getting to bus and train stations on the route between Vang Vieng and Vientiane.

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