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How to get from Luang Prabang to Pakse?
UNESCO World Heritage City Luang Prabang is the former capital of Laos. It is surrounded by rugged mountains at the junction of Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. Luang Prabang is a well-known destination for many backpackers for its laidback vibe and tons of amazing activities and beautiful sites to visit. These include studded temples, turquoise waterfalls, vibrant night markets, and Buddha-filled caves.
Pakse is a tranquil city in Southern Laos situated on the Mekong River. It is not exactly a backpacker mecca or a hotspot in Southeast Asia but it does not mean that it is not worth a day or two. Walk around, see a few Buddhist temples, rent a motorbike, have a cup of coffee, and enjoy some peace. Also, does Pakse offer 3 beautiful waterfalls to visit.
The cheapest option to travel the 970km journey from Luang Prabang to Pakse is to take a bus from Luang Prabang to Vientiane, and then another bus from Vientiane to Pakse. The trip takes 22 hours and costs $55. Another option is to take a flight ($95) for 1 hour and 40 minutes.
2 ways to get from Luang Prabang to Pakse
The cheapest option to travel the 970km journey from Luang Prabang to Pakse is to take a bus from Luang Prabang to Vientiane, and then another bus from Vientiane to Pakse. The trip takes 22 hours and costs $55. Another option is to take a flight ($95) for 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Itinerary from Luang Prabang to Pakse
Luang Prabang to Pakse by Bus
Duration: 22 hours excl. transfer time
Cost: $28 + $27
Step 1: Luang Prabang to Vientiane by Bus
Duration: 11 hours
Cost: $28
Most bus companies do not offer direct trips from Luang Prabang to Pakse. The only option you have is to take a bus from Luang Prabang to Vientiane, and then another bus from Vientiane to Pakse.
You can find detailed information about the first leg of the journey in our article about Luang Prabang to Vientiane.
See the bus schedule for the first part of the trip here:
Bus schedules from Luang Prabang to Vientiane
Step 2: Vientiane to Pakse by Bus
Duration: 11 hours
Cost: $27
Bus companies operating along this route only offer one trip per day and only depart at night. This means you have to wait at least 13 hours in Vientiane until the next bus to Pakse. If you do have to wait, why not take the opportunity to explore the capital city?
You can find more detailed info about this route in the article Vientiane to Pakse.
See the bus schedules below to plan the second part of your trip:
Bus schedules from Vientiane to Pakse
Here is an example schedule of how your trip could look:
| Method of transport | Time | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Bus to Vientiane (King of Bus) | 20:00-07:00 | 11h |
| Transfer time | 07:00-20:30 | 12h 30m |
| Bus to Pakse (Kriangkai Transport) | 20:30-08:00 | 11h 30m |
Luang Prabang to Pakse by Flight
Duration: 1h 40min
Cost: $95 + $7
Taking the flight from Luang Prabang to Pakse takes less than two hours. This means you won’t waste 1,5 days travelling and have more time to explore Pakse. The only downside of flying is the cost. A one-way flight starts at $95.
Most flights are operated by Lao Airlines but be informed that there is only one direct flight per day.
The other flights will make a stopover in Vientiane before continuing the journey to Luang Prabang. Even including the stopover, this option is still much faster than travelling the entire journey by bus.
The city center is about a 15-minute taxi ride from the airport in Pakse. Expect to pay around $7. To check the latest schedules and to book your flight, you can click on the button below.
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