Quick Overview
You can take a bus or book a flight from Vientiane to Pakse. Taking the bus is more economical, but will take over 10 hours. Traveling by plane safes you a lot of time, but flights can get expensive.
| Transport mode | Duration | Costs | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 11 hours | $27 | Check bus tickets |
 | 1,5 hours | $46 - $150 + $7 | Check flights |
Option #1: Bus
Cheaper option
Unique travel experience
Less comfortable
Not the safest option
Route: Vientiane Pakse
Duration: 11 hours
Costs: $27
We prefer the sleeper bus for the journey from Vientiane to Pakse, as traveling at night saves you time. Most of the well-known bus companies in Laos operate on this route but only have one bus leaving per day.
Several buses are named ‘VIP buses’, which are the most expensive ones in Laos. They have flatbeds instead of reclining seats and some will also serve water and snacks, but don’t expect a limousine to pick you up from your hotel.
We recommend booking with King of Bus, Champasak VIP Transportation or Kriangkai Transport. Their departure and arrival times are the most convenient. See here the bus schedule:
| Bus company | Departure/Arrival | Duration | Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| King of Bus | 20:00-07:00 | 11h | $27 |
| Champasak VIP Transportation | 20:30-07:00 | 10h 30m | $27 |
| Kriangkai Transport | 20:30-08:00 | 11h 30m | $25 |
| Naga Travel (not available) | 18:00-06:00 | 12h | $35 |
| Soutchai Travel | 18:30-06:30 | 12h | $23 |
King of Bus
- Departs from Phanthavong Tour Office along Yonnet Road in the city center, opposite of the Bank of Lao PDR
- Arrives at the Chitpasong Bus Station within Pakse city center
King of Bus is one of the most popular bus companies in Laos. They have good, clean buses and comfortable flatbeds.
Champasak VIP Transportation
- Departs from Vientiane South Bus Station (Dong Kok) within the city center
- Arrives at No. 24 Road in the city center, near the Vietnam Consulate, Pakse
This bus company is not as popular as King of Bus, bus also provides good service. You can expect flatbeds and a bottle of water.
Kriangkai Transport
-
- Departs from Vientiane South Bus Station (Dong Kok) within the city center
- Arrives at the Chitpasong Bus Station within Pakse city center
Their staffs are friendly and they provide wi-fi, movies and a small snack. However, their flatbeds aren’t very spacious.
Naga Travel
- Departs from Vientiane Haysoke Guest House in the city center, near the Agricultural Promotion Bank
- Arrives at the Pakse Naga Travel Office in the city center, near Alisa Guesthouse
Naga Travel generally has higher fares, but their buses are big and clean.
Soutchai Travel
- Departs from Vientiane Soutchai Travel Office, near Khamkong Minimart
- Arrives at the Pakse Soutchai Travel Office within Pakse city center
A common complaint is the short beds but their service is rated well.
Other Buses
For travelers on a tighter budget, there are also local and express buses that provide multiple trips to Pakse.
Local buses offer trips for as low as $13, but the ride may not be very comfortable. Buses are often slow and do not have air conditioning. On the other hand, express buses are faster but only provide normal seats—not the most convenient bus ride for long distance travel. Tickets for express buses cost about $16. All buses depart from the South Bus Station in Vientiane.
Note: Flatbeds are meant to fit two people, so if you don’t feel like sharing the space with a stranger, you can always book two tickets for the trip. Otherwise, prepare to make a new friend.
Option #2: Flight
Faster option
More expensive
Route: Vientiane Pakse
Duration: 1h 30min
Costs: $46 – $150 + $7
Although a flight from Vientiane to Pakse takes less than 2 hours, this option is also more expensive.
Lao Skyway offers the cheapest fare for this route. They operate 1 flight from Vientiane to Pakse every day. The flight departs from Wattay International Airport. A one-way ticket starts at $46.
Lao Skyway has good reviews and offers the cheapest flights. They operate propeller-type planes for local destinations in Laos. You can check their website for the latest schedules.
Lao Airlines also operate multiple flights, but they tend to have higher fares.
Taking a taxi from Pakse airport to the city center costs around $7 and takes 15 minutes.
Did you travel this route or visit this place? Share your experience in a comment below.
