Quick Overview
There are two buses operating direct services between Pakse to Vang Vieng. The advantage of these buses is that they leave in the evening and you’ll arrive in Vang Vieng before noon the next day. This means you won’t waste your day on travelling.
If you don’t feel like being on the road for more than 15 hours, we recommend to book a flight from Pakse to Vientiane and then continue by bus from Vientiane to Vang Vieng.
| Transport mode | Duration | Costs | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 16,5 hours | $37 | Check bus tickets |
 | 6 hours excl transfer time | $13 + $46 - $115 | Check article for more info |
Content
Option #1: Bus
Cheaper option
Scenic route
Unique travel experience
Less comfortable
Not the safest option
Route: Pakse Vang Vieng
Duration: 16h 30min
Costs: $37
Vang Vieng is not only for party people who want to get drunk, tubing the river. This scenic town is surrounded by a great landscape of limestone rocks and has several viewpoints and caves to visit.
King of Bus and Naga Travel each provide an overnight bus from Pakse to Vang Vieng. The King of Bus VIP bus departs at 19:00, and Naga Travel at 19:30. A one-way ticket costs $37 or $43, depending on the company.
| Bus company | Departure/Arrival | Duration | Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| King of Bus (not available) | 19:00-11:30 | 16h 30m | $37 |
| Naga Travel | 19:30-11:45 | 16h 15m | $44 |
| Champasak Bus + Malany Bus (requires transfer) | 19:00-14:00 | 19h | $35 |
King of Bus
- Departs from Green Paradise Travel Agency Office in Pakse, near the Vietnamese Consulate
- Arrives at the Vang Vieng VIP Bus Station just outside of the city center
King of Bus is one of the most popular bus companies in Laos and operates along many routes. Most travelers are satisfied with their service.
Naga Travel
- Departs from Naga Travel Pakse Office near Alisa Guesthouse
- Arrives at the Naga Travel Vang Vieng Office near Malany Hotel
Naga Travel also offers a good level of comfort, but their tickets are slightly more expensive than booking with King of Bus.
When the two bus companies are not available for booking online, you can also opt for a combined bus ticket from Champasak Bus and Malany Bus through Baolau for $35. Take note that this option requires 19 hours of travel.
Option #2: Via Vientiane
Faster option
Convenient
Expensive
Non-direct travel
Route: Pakse Vientiane Vang Vieng
Duration: 6 hours excl transfer time
Costs: $13 + $46 – $115
Flight: Pakse Vientiane
Duration: 1h 30min
Costs: $7 + $46 – $115
From the city center, you need to hire a taxi to get to the airport. The taxi ride costs $7.
Lao Skyway offers the cheapest fares but their flight leaves late in the afternoon. It’s best to book with Lao Airlines even if their tickets are more expensive. Booking with Lao Airlines allows you to catch a van or bus ride to Vang Vieng on the same day.
A one-way plane ticket to Vientiane starts at $68. For more information about booking your flight, read our article on how to go from Pakse to Vientiane.
Bus: Vientiane Vang Vieng
Duration: 4 hours
Costs: $6
It takes about 4 hours to go from Vientiane to Vang Vieng. You can either book a bus ride or a van ride for this route. However, we prefer taking the bus as it has more leg room. Expect to pay about $6 for a bus ticket.
The first trip departs at 9:00 and the last trip departs Vientiane at 14:00. Make sure that your flight from Pake to Vientiane is scheduled accordingly so you can travel on the same day. Read Vientiane to Vang Vieng to know more.
Did you travel this route or visit this place? Share your experience in a comment below.
