Vientiane to Pakse in 2-8 hours (2026)

Q: How much is a flight from Vientiane to Pakse?

A flight from Vientiane to Pakse costs around, but note that there is an additional cost for getting to and from the airports.

Pakse is a Mekong river town in southern Laos. Travellers stop here for Wat Phou's Khmer ruins and the islands further south. Flying gets you there quickest, in 1h 55m. The bus costs $26 (570,000 LAK) and takes 7h 45m - 13h if you'd rather go overland.

DISTANCE

Distance from Vientiane to Pakse

Vientiane and Pakse are about 463 km (288 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 599 km by road. The quickest way to get from Vientiane to Pakse is by taking the flight, which takes around 1h 55m.

~463 km

Straight-line distance

~599 km

Route distance

1h 55m

Fastest

Travelling the other way?Pakse to Vientiane→

COMPARE

2 ways to travel from Vientiane to Pakse

There are two ways to travel from Vientiane to Pakse. The journey takes 1h 55m–7h 45m and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $26 (570,000 LAK).

TransportDurationPrice

It's a long journey by bus from Vientiane to Pakse — about 7h 45m - 13h. But with prices from $26 (570,000 LAK), the bus is the cheapest option for this route.

We recommend taking an overnight sleeper. This will save you time as well as a night of hotel costs.

A note on the travel time: some companies advertise that they can complete the journey in less than 8 hours. Don't believe them. In reality, the journey takes at least 10 hours. If you're lucky, you can spend most of the journey sleeping.

Sleeper buses from Vientiane to Pakse

Most buses operating on this route are sleeper buses. Be careful when booking one. Many of these sleeper buses offer only flatbeds for seats. These flatbeds are for two persons. If you're travelling solo, you must buy 2 tickets to have the flatbed to yourself. Otherwise, expect to sleep beside a stranger.

If you're not comfortable with the idea of a flatbed, some buses also offer standard seats and solo reclining beds. Check the bus features before booking your ride to avoid surprises.

You can choose from four bus companies operating on this route: Family Service, Green Paradise Travel, Chanthachone Transportation and Sarah Transport Laos.

Departure and arrival stations

Most buses depart from Vientiane Southern Bus Terminal and arrive at Chitpasong Bus Station in Pakse.

Bus schedule from Vientiane to Pakse

12hFamily ServiceSleeperVientiane Southern Bus StationPakse20:00$26570,000 LAKTickets

10hGreen Paradise TravelSleepingVientiane Southern Bus TerminalGreen Paradise Tour and Travel Pakse office20:00$26580,000 LAKTickets

12hChanthachone TransportationSleepingVientiane Southern Bus StationPakse18:00$26580,000 LAKTickets

12hChanthachone TransportationSleeperVientiane Southern Bus StationPakse20:00$28630,000 LAKTickets

13hFamily ServiceStandardVientiane TransferPakse18:00$29650,000 LAKTickets

Show all 8 companies

13hChanthachone TransportationSleepingVientiane TransferPakse17:00$32710,000 LAKTickets

7h45mSarah Transport LaosSleepingVientiane Southern Bus StationPakse19:30$36800,000 LAKTickets

13hChanthachone TransportationSleeperVientiane TransferPakse19:00$37820,000 LAKTickets

Available atBookaway

Tourist vs. local bus

Buses offered by BookAway are mostly tourist (VIP) buses. They're not the normal VIP buses you'll find in other countries and are far from luxurious. But a tourist VIP bus is your best bet if you want to get some sleep on your long journey from Vientiane to Pakse.

Local buses are cheaper, but we don't recommend them. With prices from $11 (240,000 LAK), these depart several times a day and you don't need to book them in advance.

However, local buses are often at capacity. They make too many stops to pick up passengers, even when there are no more seats (or beds) available. Sometimes, there is also no air conditioning.

Another option are the local express buses, available at the bus terminal in Vientiane. They typically only provide standard seats, but they get you to Pakse faster than local buses. Express bus fares start from $13 (290,000 LAK), but confirm at the station for the latest fares.

Pakse

The flight is the fastest way to get from Vientiane to Pakse. Travel time is just 1h 55m, including airport transfers.

This is also the most expensive option, with combined rates starting from $93 (2,060,000 LAK).

We think the price is worth it, though, considering the comfort and speed you get with the flight. The bus may be cheaper, but bus travel to Pakse from Vientiane takes around 10 hours and can be very uncomfortable.

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

Step 1: How to get to Vientiane Airport

35m$1.80 (40,000 LAK)

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

Step 2: Flight from Vientiane to Pakse

1h$88 (1,960,000 LAK)

Lao Airlines offers several direct flights from Vientiane to Pakse daily.

Airfares start from $88 (1,960,000 LAK) and the flight time is just about an hour.

Lao Skyway is another airline you can check for this route. It used to offer cheaper rates. But the last time we checked (March 2026), it's website was not available for booking.

Check Flights on Skyscanner

Step 3: Pakse Airport to city centre

20m$2.70 (60,000 LAK)

The best way to travel the 5 km from Pakse Airport to the city centre is by taxi. Fares start from $2.70 (60,000 LAK) and the journey takes about 20 minutes, depending on where your hotel is located.

Alternatively, you can make it more local with a tuk-tuk. This open-air vehicle should be comfortable enough for the short trip. But note that it's not much cheaper than a taxi ride, with fares from $2.30 (50,000 LAK).

Check out our guide for Pakse Airport for more details.

Pakse

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ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION

Why Visit Pakse?

Pakse is a transport hub and gateway to southern Laos. Its strategic location, comfortable accommodations and tour offerings make it a convenient basecamp for travellers visiting the nearby Bolaven Plateau and Wat Phu.

Admittedly, there is not much to do in this riverside town. But if you're looking for a relaxing yet strategic place to take some time off, then your best choice in the south is Pakse. Walk around town, visit some temples, explore the local markets, or just sample traditional Lao dishes.

Rounding it up

That's the full picture for getting from Vientiane to Pakse, roughly 463 kilometres (288 miles) apart. In all, there are 2 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $26 (570,000 LAK). The quickest trip takes 1h 55m.

Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to get from Vientiane to Pakse?

The fastest way to get from Vientiane to Pakse is by flight and takes 1h 55m.

What are my choices when travelling from Vientiane to Pakse?

You have 2 options when travelling the Vientiane-Pakse route: a 1.5-hour flight and a 10-hour bus. Fares are from $40 and $26, respectively.

What is the distance from Vientiane to Pakse?

The distance between Vientiane and Pakse is 670 km.

How much is a flight from Vientiane to Pakse?

A flight from Vientiane to Pakse costs around $33, but note that there is an additional cost for getting to and from the airports.

What is the cheapest way to get from Vientiane to Pakse?

The bus from Vientiane to Pakse is the cheapest option for this route. You can get a bus ticket for $26. Keep in mind, though, that the bus journey takes around 10 hours.

What is the cheapest way to get from Vientiane to Pakse?

The bus from Vientiane to Pakse is the cheapest option for this route. You can get a bus ticket for $26. Keep in mind, though, that the bus journey takes around 10 hours.

About the Authors

Maarten

Founder & Trip Planning Expert

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.

ElaReviewer

Senior Travel Writer

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.

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How to Get From Vientiane to Pakse

Distance from Vientiane to Pakse