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How to get from Vientiane to Pakse
Vientiane, the capital of Laos, is set on the waters of Mekong River. Despite being home to numerous hotels, restaurants, and embassies, the pace of life is slow here and the city maintains a laidback feel. Things to see and do include taking a cycle tour, enrolling in a cooking class, seeing the Presidential Palace, and visiting the COPE Visitor Centre.
Pakse means “mouth of the river” as it is situated at the confluence of Mekong and Xe Don rivers. There are not a lot of attractions in Pakse but it is an ideal spot for backpackers to take a few days off to unwind before going to other Southeast Asian countries or elsewhere in Laos. Visit gold-ridden temples, sample traditional Lao dishes, or shop for souvenirs at the night market.
2 ways to get from Vientiane to Pakse
There are 2 options to travel the 670 km journey from Vientiane to Pakse: you can either take the bus or you can take a flight. Taking the bus is cheaper at $26, but will take at least 10 hours of travel time. Traveling by plane is only 1,5 hours but a ticket starts at $33.
Itinerary from Vientiane to Pakse
Vientiane to Pakse by Bus
We prefer the sleeper bus for the journey from Vientiane to Pakse, as travelling at night saves you time. Most of the well-known bus companies in Laos operate on this route.
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.
We recommend booking with any of the buses below. Their departure and arrival times are the most convenient. See here the bus schedule:
Bus schedules from Vientiane to Pakse
King of Bus
- Departs from the Southern Bus Station, north of the city centre
- Arrives at the Chitpasong Bus Station within Pakse city centre
King of Bus is one of the most popular bus companies in Laos. They have good, clean buses and comfortable flatbeds.
Chathachone Transportation
- Departs from the Southern Bus Station, north of the city centre
- Arrives at the Chitpasong Bus Station within Pakse city centre
This bus company is not as popular as King of Bus, bus also provides good service.
Sengchaleun
- Departs from the Southern Bus Station, north of the city centre
- Arrives at the Chitpasong Bus Station within Pakse city centre
They are relatively new but they seem to be doing good when it comes to providing transport service.
Naga Travel
- Departs from Haysoke Guesthouse in the city centre
- Arrives at Lankham Hotel in the city centre
Naga Travel generally has higher fares, but their buses are big and clean.
Soutchai Travel
- Departs from Vientiane Soutchai Travel Office in the city centre
- Arrives at the Chitpasong Bus Station within Pakse city centre
A common complaint is the short beds but their service is rated well.
PTS Transit
- Departs from any hotel in Vientiane city centre
- Arrives at the Pakse Village, southeast of the city centre
A common complaint is the short beds but their service is rated well.
Other Buses
For travellers 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.
Vientiane to Pakse by Flight
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 $33.
Lao Skyway has good reviews. 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. Ticket prices start at $95 which is a big difference from the price of a Lao Skyway flight.
Taking a taxi from Pakse airport to the city centre costs around $7 and takes 15 minutes.
