How to get from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang
Why visit Luang Prabang?
Luang Prabang is the former royal capital of Laos. A beautiful fusion of traditional Lao architecture and colonial design, this ancient city sits at the junction of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. Luang Prabang lifts up your spirits with its 33 Buddhist temples and awakens your senses with its picturesque landscape.
Backdropped by mountains, adventurers will find plenty of things to do in Luang Prabang. You’ll find turquoise waterfalls, trekking trips and biking trails on the outskirts of town. Our favourite part? The friendly atmosphere and slow life that it was somehow able to maintain despite the growing number of tourists.
What are the 3 ways to travel from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang?
There are 3 ways to travel the 183 kilometre (114 miles) distance from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang. You can choose between the minivan, private transport and train. The journey takes 1 hour 20 minutes to 5 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 436,000 LAK ($20).
Where to stay in Luang Prabang?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Luang Prabang at the bottom of this page.
Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang by Train
A fast way to travel from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang is by train. While travel time is as short as 1 hour 20 minutes to 2 hours, travelling by train on this route also has disadvantages.
The train stations are outside the city centres and you can purchase your tickets only at the station during specific hours.
Step 1: Vang Vieng city centre to Vang Vieng Railway Station by Tuk-Tuk
The railway station in Vang Vieng is about 4kms away from the town centre. Tuk-tuks are located all over town to get you around.
A tuk-tuk ride to the train station would cost about 43,000 LAK ($2) per person and take 10 minutes.
Step 2: Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang by Train
The trains on this route are high-speed trains of the new Laos-China railway. Expect a scenic ride for 50m - 1h 30m from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang.
Note that tickets are available only at the stations’ ticket offices. See here the opening hours of the ticket office in Vang Vieng:
- Morning: 07:30-09:30
- Afternoon: 14:00-19:20
Chances are high that tickets are already sold out if you’re buying them only on the day of your trip. Otherwise, you’ll still need to line up for tickets, which may take up to 1-2 hours.
A second-class ticket costs 151,000 LAK ($7) if you buy it at the station. Meanwhile, a second-class ticket costs 416,000 LAK ($19.30) on BookAway. You can also book a taxi + train transfer that costs 410,000 LAK ($19) on 12GoAsia.
Note that locals often line up to buy tickets at the station and resell them for a higher price through hotels and travel agencies.
Given the queue at the ticket office and the security checks, we suggest arriving at the train station early. Note that they do not allow passengers inside the station until an hour before the trip, so you might have to wait outside under the sun.
Step 3: Luang Prabang Railway Station to Luang Prabang city centre by Minivan
Similar to the railway station in Vang Vieng, the railway station in Luang Prabang is outside the city centre, about 12 km away.
Minivans are available outside the train station to take you to the city centre. A ride that takes 20 minutes costs 43,000 LAK ($2) per person.
Given the queue at the ticket office and the security checks, we suggest arriving at the train station early. Note that they do not allow passengers inside the station until an hour before the trip, so you might have to wait outside under the sun.
Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang by Minivan
Since Luang Prabang is not far from the picturesque town of Vang Vieng, most companies operate this route with minivans.
The route from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang has a lot of winding roads. If you’re prone to motion sickness, make sure you take an anti-sickness tablet before the trip. Also, keep in mind that landslides are common during the rainy season.
Despite the potential motion sickness caused by twisting roads, the route has amazing views of rural life. You get a glimpse of how the locals thrive on having a simple lifestyle.
To serve as your guide in planning your trip from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang, we’ve provided you with an overview of the trips operated along this route:
Minivan schedules from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang
Laos Group Tour
- Departs from Chillao Youth Hostel in the city centre
- Arrives at the La Poste Post Office in Luang Prabang, within the city centre
Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang by Private Transport
A private transfer is a convenient option when travelling in a group from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang.
Rates start from 3,342,000 LAK ($155) for a 4-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s about 835,000 LAK ($39) per person. Travel time is around 4 hours.
Private Transfer Options from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang
Best places to stay in Luang Prabang
Manichan Guesthouse - Mid Range
The Manichan Guesthouse is the perfect location, just a 5-minute walk from the Night Market, National Museum and plenty of other sights. The rooms are spacious, comfortable and clean and come with your choice of fan or air conditioning. A delicious breakfast is included daily with your stay and there is a restaurant on location for your convenience.
- Ideal location
- Walking distance to many sights
- Breakfast included
- Restaurant on-site
Private rooms start at $30 per night
Sakaodeuan Hotel & Travel - Treating Yourself
Sakaodeuan Hotel located within the Old Town of Luang Prabang is in an ideal location to explore some of the city’s best sights. You’re less than 1km away from both Mount Phousy and the Night Market.
The rooms are spacious, comfortable and clean. One of the best things about this hotel are the staff who are there to help you with anything. And the complimentary breakfast is a highlight of the stay. It’s delicious!
- Located in the Old Town
- Spacious and comfortable rooms
- Amazing staff
- Delicious free breakfast
Double rooms start from $75 per night.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang. 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 Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang
What is the distance from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang?
The distance from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang is 183 kilometre (114 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang?
The fastest way to get from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang is by train and takes 1 hour 20 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang?
The cheapest way to get from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang is by train with ticket costs starting from 436,000 LAK ($20).
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.
