What to expect when visiting Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is a small Laotian town set in the midst of tranquil cliffs and rich green rice fields — just like a scene from an Asian painting. Formerly a party destination, the picturesque town reinvented itself to become Laos’ adventure capital.
Adrenaline-hungry travellers can enjoy many exciting activities in Vang Vieng — from rock climbing and caving to hiking and river tubing. When you want to relax, take a dip in the famous Blue Lagoons or just ride a motorbike across Vang Vieng’s rugged roads and lush green fields.
3 ways to get from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
There are three ways to travel the distance of 180 km (112 miles) from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng: by bus* (7 hours), van (5h-9h) and train (1h 32m - 1h 58m). The journey takes between 1h 32m - 9h and the quickest way is by train. The lowest priced tickets start from 232,000 LAK ($11) for the train.Where to stay in Vang Vieng?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Vang Vieng at the bottom of this page.
Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng by Train
A faster way to travel the Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng route is by train. This train journey takes just around 1h 32m - 1h 58m, but it also has disadvantages. The train stations are outside the city centres and tickets sell out really fast.
It’s not impossible to score tickets, though! Below, we give you tips on how to get train tickets depending on your budget and schedule.
Step 1: Luang Prabang Centre to Luang Prabang Railway Station by Minivan
Luang Prabang Railway Station is about 12 km east of the city centre. The cheapest way to get there is by minivan. A ride for 30 minutes costs 42,000 LAK ($2) per person.
There are several minivan pick-up points in Luang Prabang. We recommend asking for assistance from your accommodation to find the nearest minivan stop.
Step 2: Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng by Train
The trains on this route are high-speed trains of the new Laos-China Railway, so you can expect a scenic and comfortable 52m - 1h 18m ride from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng.
Ticket prices start from 148,000 LAK ($7) to 443,000 LAK ($21), depending on where you buy your tickets. Read on for the train schedules and more details on the booking platforms.
PRO TIP: Luang Prabang Train Station looks a lot like an airport and you can expect the usual security checks. We recommend arriving about 1 hour before your train’s departure. Note that you won’t be allowed inside the station until an hour before the trip, so there’s also no use arriving too early.
Where to buy your train tickets
The train ride itself is easy, but booking your ticket is another matter. There is a high demand for tickets for this new train line. Also for most portals, tickets are released for selling only 3 days before the travel date.
There are a few ways you can book a train ticket. Below we break down the pros and cons of each option to help you pick the best booking platform for you.
Option 1: Cheapest & easiest booking through the LCR Ticket app
LCR Ticket is a new app made specifically for booking tickets for the Laos-China Railway. It’s pretty easy to use. Like most booking apps, you just enter your pick-up and drop-off point and desired date.
Ticket prices start from 148,000 LAK ($7) for a second-class seat and you can buy your tickets through the app at least 3 days in advance.
The only catch is, you have to be logged in to be able to buy a ticket. To log in, you have to be registered on the LCR Ticket app. And to register, you need to have a Laotian mobile number.
Option 2: Easy yet expensive booking through 12goAsia
If you don’t mind spending more, you can book a combined minivan and train ticket through 12GoAsia. Prices start from 443,000 LAK ($21), already including your transfer from Luang Prabang city centre to the train station.
That’s more than double the regular minivan + train rates, but the advantage is that you won’t have to worry about long ticket queues or having a Laotian number.
The best part about buying your train ticket online is that you can book even months beforehand — not just 3 days prior to your trip.
Option 3: Cheap booking at the train station, but only if you can buy in advance
If you are able to go to Luang Prabang Train Station 2-3 days before your desired travel date, you can also buy your tickets here. Like the LCR App, ticket prices start from 148,000 LAK ($7) at the train station.
You’re probably asking, why not just buy your ticket on the day of your trip? Because there’s a high chance that tickets are already sold out for that day.
Option 4: Luang Prabang Ticket Office is our least recommended
The Luang Prabang Ticket Office seems like the logical option because you can find it in the city centre and they sell tickets at a regular price — starting from 148,000 LAK ($7). But a lot of people think the same way, so queues at the ticket office are often 1 to 2 hours long.
That’s valuable time you can spend exploring the town instead. But if you don’t mind the long queues at Luang Prabang Ticket Office, you should be able to find it across the Provincial Office of Transportation on Photisalath Road, according to the Laotian Times. We are unable to pinpoint its exact location on Google Maps, though!
Some travellers complain that this ticket office is almost “imaginary” because of how difficult it is to find it. So if you have any additional information on its exact location, you’ll be helping a lot of travellers by letting us know!
Note that the ticket office in Luang Prabang only opens at specific hours:
- Morning: 10:00-12:00
- Afternoon: 12:30-15:30
Step 3: Vang Vieng Railway Station to Vang Vieng City Centre by Tuk-Tuk
Vang Vieng Railway Station is about 4 km away from the town centre. Tuk-tuks are waiting at the train station to take passengers to the city centre.
A tuk-tuk ride from the train station to Vang Vieng city centre would cost about 42,000 LAK ($2) per person and take 10 minutes.
Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng by Van
There are 4 transport companies offering minivan trips from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng: Thavisouk, Laos Group Tour, Naluang and Vieng Chaleune.
Vans depart from 06:45 to 15:15 daily and the journey takes around 5 hours. Except when you book with Vieng Chaleune, which arrives at Vang Vieng after 9 hours.
The advantage of taking a van is that some companies already offer free pick-up service, so you won’t have to worry about your transfer to the bus station. The disadvantage is that vans aren’t as spacious as buses. If you’re a tall passenger, it may not be a comfortable ride.
PRO TIP: We suggest that you depart from Luang Prabang before noon for safety. The route goes through the mountains and because of the road’s twists and turns, travelling in the dark poses more risks.
Departure and arrival station
Laos Group Tour and Thavisouk offer free hotel pick-up from Luang Prabang. Naluang and Vieng Chaleune depart from Southern Bus Terminal, some 3 km south of Luang Prabang city centre.
All vans arrive at Vang Vieng Bus Terminal, 2 km north of the town centre.
Van schedules from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng by Bus*
Travelling by bus from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng allows for more comfort and legroom, but the journey takes longer at around 7 hours. Bus fares start from 696,000 LAK ($33).
Departure and arrival station
The bus departs from Luang Prabang’s Southern Bus Station, which you can find 3 km south of the centre.
It arrives at Malany Hotel in Vang Vieng city centre.
Bus schedules from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
Our favourite places to stay in Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng Diamond Resort - Budget Friendly
It’s not easy to find a resort for $23 a night, so when you find one like Vang Vieng Diamond Resort, you should snap it up! This place has a huge outdoor swimming pool, an onsite restaurant that serves a range of cuisines and nice areas to relax in.
The rooms are clean and spacious, offering great views of the mountain and surrounding areas. The resort is slightly out from the city centre, adding a bit of piece to your stay in Vang Vieng.
- Great value for money
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Onsite restaurant
- Mountain views
Private rooms start from $23 per night.
Vang Vieng Champa Hotel - Budget Friendly
Vang Vieng Champa Hotel recently opened, so everything feels clean and modern. Plus, they’re cleaned every day with fresh water provided every day. The host, Ben, goes out of his way to make sure you have a fabulous stay. He’s so incredible, many people have ended up extending their stay.
He wants to make you feel at home which includes providing a free breakfast every morning! The location is great, within walking distance of most attractions.
- Modern and clean
- Amazing host
- Free water
- Free delicious breakfast
Private rooms start from $25 per night.
Sunset Nam Ngum Resort - Mid Range
Sunset Nam Ngum Resort is situated 50 minutes south of Vang Vieng, but it offers a unique and unforgettable stay. You’ll be staying on one of the islets in Nam Ngum Reservoir, surrounded by water.
The place has just been renovated offering stunning and modern rooms that overlook the water. This is the perfect escape from the world. And don’t worry about the distance to Vang Vieng, the resort offers a free shuttle.
- Unique stay
- Surrounded by water
- Modern and luxury rooms
- Free shuttle to Vang Vieng
King rooms start from $40 per night.
Frequently Asked Questions about Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
What is the distance from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng?
How long does it take to travel from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng?
How much does it cost to get from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng?
What can I expect from Vang Vieng?
Vang Vieng is a small town in northern Laos that is popular among backpackers and tourists for its natural beauty, outdoor activities, and party scene. You can expect to find a variety of adventures like tubing on the Nam Song River, rock climbing, hiking to amazing viewpoints, and exploring nearby lagoons and waterfalls.
There are also plenty of bars and restaurants in town, making it an unlikely nightlife haven.
How to get around in Vang Vieng?
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
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Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
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.
