How to get from Pakse to Vientiane

Why visit Vientiane?

Vientiane is Laos’ fascinating capital city sitting on the banks of the Mekong River. A former French trading post, the city has kept many of its historical influences and original architecture undamaged.

True, there is not much to do in this sleepy city — and that’s exactly what sets Vientiane apart from other capital cities in Southeast Asia. It is a hub for temples, markets, spas and cafes. Our favourite spot is the riverside, where you can relax with a cold Beer Lao and just watch the sunset over the Mekong.

There are 2 ways to travel the 670 kilometres (416 miles) from Pakse to Vientiane. You can choose between the bus and flight. The journey takes 1 hour 30 minutes to 15 hours and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $19.10 (416,000 LAK).

If you opt for a bus, sleeper buses are the best option for going from Pakse to Vientiane. Travelling at night allows you to cross this distance while being asleep. However, overnight trips are less safe than day trips as roads are not well-lit in Laos.

From Pakse city centre, you’ll need to catch a taxi to the airport. This journey should cost about $7 (153,000 LAK), and it takes about 15 minutes to the airport.

A one-way plane ticket to Vientiane starts at $64 (1,394,000 LAK). Lao Skyway offers the cheapest fares, and they operate 1 flight per day on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. The plane departs Pakse at 17:15 and will arrive in Vientiane at 18:30. You can check the latest flight schedules of Lao Skyway through their website.

Lao Airlines offers more flights but they are more expensive and usually start at $135 (2,898,000 LAK). To check the schedule and book your flights, click the button below.

TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.