How to get from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
Why visit 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.
What are the 3 ways to travel from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng?
There are 3 ways to travel the 180 kilometre (112 miles) distance from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng. You can choose between the minivan, private transport and train. The journey takes 1 hour 30 minutes to 6 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by train. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by train with tickets starting at 197,000 LAK ($9.30).
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
The train is the most practical way to get from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng. It’s the fastest and cheapest option, with a travel time of 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours 55 minutes and combined rates from 197,000 LAK ($9.30) — including transfers to and from train stations.
Train travel in Laos is incredibly popular. When the Laos-China Railway first launched in 2021, tickets would sell out almost instantly. They’re still in high demand today, but with a few different booking options, you’ve got a much better chance of getting a seat without queuing for hours.
Below, we give you tips on how to get train tickets to Vang Vieng from Luang Prabang depending on your budget and schedule.
Step 1: How to get to Luang Prabang Railway Station
Luang Prabang Railway Station is about 12 km east of the city centre. The cheapest way to get there is by shared minivan. A ride costs 40,000 LAK ($1.90) per person and the journey from the city centre to Luang Prabang Train Station takes about 30 minutes.
The easiest way to do this is through your hotel. Tell them beforehand the time and date of your train journey, and they will arrange a shared minivan for you. This minivan will pick you up from your hotel. Note that it will also pick up other passengers before or after you.
Alternatively, you can take a bus from That Luang Park to Luang Prabang Train Station. This departs every hour from 08:00 to 17:00, except at 12:00 noon. A ticket costs 30,000 LAK ($1.40).
IMPORTANT: Luang Prabang Train Station looks a lot like an airport, and you can expect the usual security checks. Aerosols and sharp metal objects like army knives will be confiscated. The X-ray and security check take some time, so save yourself the stress and arrive at the station 30 minutes to 1 hour before your trip.
Step 2: Train from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
Laos-China Railway operates several rapid trains from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng daily. These are relatively new trains that pass through Laos’ beautiful countryside, so you can expect a scenic and comfortable ride that takes just an hour.
For comparison, a minivan ride takes 5 hours to 6 hours 30 minutes.
Train ticket prices to Vang Vieng from Luang Prabang start from 117,000 LAK ($5.50) for a hard seat, which should be good enough for the short ride. But if you’re looking for more comfort, tickets are also available for second class, first class, and business class seats.
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Where to buy train tickets in Laos
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.
Now, booking a ticket has become so much easier, with platforms like LCR ticket and booking websites like BookAway.
One important note: book your tickets a few days to a week in advance. The cheap seats sell out fast. And if you wait until the day of your trip to buy tickets at the station, they’re usually already gone.
Below, we break down the pros and cons of each option to help you pick the best booking platform for you.
Option 1: Cheapest 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 pickup and drop-off points and desired date.
Ticket prices start from 117,000 LAK ($5.50) for a hard seat, and you can buy your tickets through the app at least a week in advance. Not that they ask for a transaction fee that costs 10,000 LAK ($0.50) to 20,000 LAK ($0.90).
To book a ticket, you have to register on the LCR Ticket app. This asks for your Laotian number, but you can skip that if you don’t have one, and just enter your passport details instead.
It’s worth noting that the registration process doesn’t always work. We personally tried doing so, but we failed to get a verification code, even after several tries.
Option 2: Book weeks in advance through BookAway
Unlike LCR Ticket, you can buy tickets months in advance through BookAway. Tickets are a bit more expensive, though, with a hard seat costing 170,000 LAK ($8).
One advantage via 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 Luang Prabang Train Station.
Option 3: 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 — the same rates you would find in the LCR Ticket App.
This 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 here, though. We recommend showing them the train and seat you want to book on the app, so you know they’re giving you the same ticket price as well.
Note that they add a commission of 20,000 LAK ($0.90) per ticket.
Option 4: Cheap booking at the train station, but only if you can buy in advance
If you can visit Luang Prabang Train Station a few days before your travel date, you can also buy your tickets there. Like the LCR Ticket App, ticket prices start from 117,000 LAK ($5.50) at the station.
But since the station is about 12 km from the city, this only really makes sense if you’re arriving in Luang Prabang by train. In that case, you can buy your next tickets before heading into the city.
Step 3: Tuk-tuk from Vang Vieng Railway Station to Vang Vieng City Centre
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 43,000 LAK ($2) per person and take 10 minutes.
Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng by Minivan
Before the train became available, the minivan was the most popular way to get from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng.
Nowadays, it’s an alternative if you failed to secure a train ticket, or if you’re carrying items that you’re afraid may be confiscated if you take the train.
Note that travel time with the minivan takes around 5 hours to 6 hours 30 minutes, much longer than the train journey. A minivan ticket costs 398,000 LAK ($18.70).
There are five transport companies offering minivan trips from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng: Vieng Chaleune, Luang Prabang Holiday Travel, Book Best Travel and Service, Laos Group Tour and Aqua De Bamboo.
PRO TIP: Depart Luang Prabang before noon if you can. The route winds through the mountains, and with all the twists and turns, travelling after dark can be riskier.
Departure and arrival stations
Minivans depart from Naluang International Bus Station or their own headquarters within the city.
Most vans arrive at Vang Vieng Bus Terminal, 2 km north of the town centre.
Minivan schedules from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
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Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng by Private Transport
Travelling in a group or with bulky luggage? Consider taking a private transfer from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng.
Rates start from 3,301,000 LAK ($155) for a 4-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s about 825,000 LAK ($39) per person.
Travel time is around 4 hours.
Private Transport options from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
Best 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.
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!
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?
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.
