How to get from Vientiane 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.

There are 3 ways to travel the 340 kilometre (211 miles) distance from Vientiane to Luang Prabang. You can choose between the shared minivan, train and flight. The journey takes 1 hour 40 minutes to 8 hours and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by shared minivan with tickets starting at 539,000 LAK ($24.50).

Travelling by train is the most practical option from Vientiane to Luang Prabang. Travel time is only 3 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 10 minutes, way faster than the minivan.

Combined fares start from 562,000 LAK ($25.50), depending on the train seat you choose.

Vientiane Railway Station is some distance away from Vientiane city centre, about 13 km. There are 2 ways you can get there: by bus for 30,000 LAK ($1.40) and by taxi with rates from 130,000 LAK ($5.90).

The bus is cheaper, but takes longer. Also, bus departures are set, so you might have to wait for a while even if you arrive early at the bus station. If you’re taking the bus to Vientiane Train Station, it’s best to allot extra time to make sure you arrive in time for your train.

Buses depart from Talat Sao Bus Station in Vientiane city centre and arrive at Vientiane Railway Station after about an hour.

Alternatively, you can take a taxi, which can complete the journey in just about 40 minutes. We recommend hailing one via local taxi apps like Loca and InDrive. This way, you’ll know the rate upfront, no worries about being overcharged.

IMPORTANT: Vientiane Train Station operates like an airport, with security checks before boarding. Aerosols and sharp items will be confiscated, and screening can take time. It’s best to arrive 30–60 minutes before departure to avoid stress.

Laos-China Railway operates at least 5 trains daily from Vientiane to Luang Prabang. Fares start from 493,000 LAK ($22.50) when you book with BookAway.

What we like about taking a high-speed train to Luang Prabang from Vientiane is that it cuts the travel time to just 1h 45m - 2h 40m. Before the Laos-China Railway was launched, the only way to travel this route was through an 8-hour bus or minivan ride.

From Luang Prabang Railway Station, the easiest way to travel the 12 km to the city centre is via a shared minivan. This costs 40,000 LAK ($1.80) and takes about 30 minutes.

You will find the shared minivans just outside the train station. Just follow the mass exit of people, most likely also taking the shared minivan. The good thing about this option is that although shared, it will take you directly (or very close) to your accommodation.

Another option to get from Luang Prabang Train Station to the city centre is the bus, which costs 55,000 LAK ($2.50). But unlike the minivan, the bus won’t take you to your hotel. Its last stop is at That Luang Park in the city centre.

Flying is a quick way to get from Vientiane to Luang Prabang — although not much faster than the train, and much more expensive.

Travel time with the flight takes about 1 hour 40 minutes. Combined fares start from 1,453,000 LAK ($66), including airport transfers.

TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.

There are 2 ways to get from Vientiane city centre to Wattay International Airport: by bus for 40,000 LAK ($1.80) and by taxi with rates from 70,000 LAK ($3.20). Travel time is around 35 minutes.

If you’re travelling solo, the Vientiane Airport Bus Line is a convenient choice. It takes a clockwise route from Wattay Airport to Central Bus Station, and then back to the airport — just ask your accommodation where to find the nearest bus stop.

Alternatively, you can take a taxi, which is more cost-efficient if you’re travelling with at least one other person. The cheapest way to do that would be to book one via local taxi-hailing apps like Loca and InDrive.

Check out our guide for Vientiane Airport for more info.

Lao Airlines offers one flight daily from Vientiane to Luang Prabang.

One-way tickets start at 1,453,000 LAK ($66), and it takes around 1 hour 40 minutes to reach Luang Prabang.

Lao Skyway is a cheaper alternative when flying to Luang Prabang from Vientiane. But the last time we checked (April 2026), it was not possible to book through its official website.

The most convenient way to get from Luang Prabang Airport to the city centre is by taxi. The 20-minute ride costs around 100,000 LAK ($4.60) when you book through the local taxi-hailing app Loca.

Airport taxis are also available, but much more expensive, with rates from 320,000 LAK ($14.60).

The tuk-tuk is a local alternative, and usually costs the same as a Loca taxi.

For more details, check out our complete guide for Luang Prabang Airport.

Minivans run along the Vientiane to Luang Prabang route, but they’re not our top pick.

The minivan journey takes around 7 to 8 hours, and it can get pretty cramped. Seats are often full, legroom is tight, and the ride can get bumpy because of the many potholes along the way.

A minivan seat costs 539,000 LAK ($24.50), which isn’t much cheaper than a faster, more comfortable train ride.

That said, minivans can still come in handy — if train tickets are sold out, or if you’re travelling with items not allowed on the train.

Some of the main minivan operators on this route include Chit Prasong and Family Service.

Departure and arrival stations

In Vientiane, there are two common departure points. Pick which one is most convenient for you:

• Vientiane Northern Bus Terminal, 10 km from the city
• Talat Sao Bus Station in the city centre

You will be dropped off at Naluang International Bus Station in Luang Prabang.