Often cheaper and faster than other transport options, train tickets sell out fast. In this guide, we tell you the best ways to secure the highly-coveted train tickets in Laos.
How (and When) to Book Laos-China Railway Tickets
When the Laos-China Railway was launched, tickets were released for sale only 3 days before the travel date. There was always a long queue at the ticket counters. And if you missed your chance, you would have to buy from travel agents selling tickets for exorbitant prices.
Starting 2026, though, Laos train tickets now go on sale 7 days before the travel date. That’s when you book directly on the official ticket outlets or through the LCR Ticket app.
And for just a few dollars more, you can score a train ticket even weeks in advance with platforms like BookAway.
It is important to buy a train ticket as early as you can. The cheap seats sell out fast. And if you wait until the day of your trip to buy tickets at the station, even the first-class seats are usually already gone.
Where to buy train tickets in Laos
Below, we break down the few ways you can score a train ticket in Laos. We give you the pros and cons of each option to help you pick the best platform for you.
Option 1: Cheapest booking through the LCR Ticket app
LCR Ticket is the official booking app for the Laos-China Railway. You can download it on the App Store for iPhone and Play Store for Android. It’s pretty easy to use. Like most booking apps, you just enter your pickup and drop-off points and your travel date.
To book a ticket, you first need to register on the LCR Ticket app. It asks for a Laotian number, but you can skip that if you don’t have one and use your passport details instead.
LCR Ticket lists the official train ticket prices, but there’s a small transaction fee of 10,000 LAK ($0.50) to 20,000 LAK ($0.90). You can buy your tickets at least a week in advance on the LCR Ticket app.
It’s worth noting that the registration process doesn’t always work. We tried signing up ourselves but never received a verification code, even after several attempts.
Option 2: Book weeks in advance through BookAway
One major advantage of booking via BookAway is that you can buy your tickets even a month before your travel date. That’s not possible with any of the other options we mention in this article.
Considering how difficult it is to get your desired train tickets for the Laos-China Railway, this can save you a lot of stress, especially if you’re travelling during busy seasons.
Prices are a only a bit more expensive, around $2 to $3 more than how much it costs on the LCR Ticket app.
Another plus with BookAway is that you have the option to book a combined minivan and train ticket. This way, you won’t have to worry about your transfer from your hotel to the train station, which is usually a few kilometres outside the city centre.
Option 3: Queue at the Ticket Office in town
In-person train ticket offices are available in cities where there are railway stations, like Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Vang Vieng. They sell tickets at a regular price — the same rates you would find in the LCR Ticket App, but there’s sometimes a long line to get tickets.
Note that they add a commission of 20,000 LAK ($0.90) per ticket.
This option is a good alternative if you’re already in the city and unable to book via the LCR Ticket app. There have been some reports of overpricing, though. We recommend showing them the train and seat you want to book on the app. This way, they’ll be required to give you the same ticket price.
The Laos-China Railway ticket offices can be tricky to find. Below, we give you their exact locations in Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Vang Vieng. Save these on Google Maps to avoid wasting time:
- Vientiane Ticket Office in Vientiane city centre
- Luang Prabang Ticket Office in Luang Prabang city centre
- Vang Vieng Ticket Office at Vang Vieng Railway Station, 2 km away from town
Option 4: Buy in advance at the train station
You can get tickets for their regular price at the train station, but it’s best to buy there only if you can do so a few days before your trip.
For example, you travel from Vientiane to Vang Vieng via train, and you’re heading to Luang Prabang after. You can buy your train tickets from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang before leaving Vang Vieng Railway Station.
Also here, tickets become available 7 days before the travel date.
Important note: Don’t attempt to buy tickets at the train station on the day of your trip. They’re most likely sold out by this time.
If you’re in the city — like Vientiane and Luang Prabang — there’s also no point going to the train station days in advance just to buy tickets. The railway stations are quite far. It’s better to just go to the ticket office in town.
In Vang Vieng, though, the official ticket office is also in Vang Vieng Train Station, which is 2 km from the city centre.
Rounding it up
When booking tickets for the Laos-China Railway, timing makes all the difference. Seats sell out quickly, especially on popular routes like Vientiane to Luang Prabang. The earlier you book, the better your chances of getting the schedule and seat you want.
If there’s one thing to keep in mind, it’s this: don’t wait until your departure date to buy your tickets. By then, most trains are already full, and your options become limited or more expensive. Booking online weeks in advance will save you both time and stress.
Whenever it’s available, the train is easily the best way to get around Laos. It’s fast, comfortable, and connects some of the country’s top destinations.
Travelling a route with no train options? Check out our complete Laos travel guide to see all the ways you can get around this mountainous country.
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
