How to get from Vientiane to Vang Vieng
Why visit Vang Vieng?
Vang Vieng is a small Laotian town set in the midst of tranquil cliffs and rich green rice fields — just like a scene from an Asian painting. Formerly a party destination, the picturesque town reinvented itself to become Laos’ adventure capital.
Adrenaline-hungry travellers can enjoy many exciting activities in Vang Vieng — from rock climbing and caving to hiking and river tubing. When you want to relax, take a dip in the famous Blue Lagoons or just ride a motorbike across Vang Vieng’s rugged roads and lush green fields.
What are the 4 ways to travel from Vientiane to Vang Vieng?
There are 4 ways to travel the 150 kilometre (93 miles) distance from Vientiane to Vang Vieng. You can choose between the bus, minivan, private transport and train. The journey takes 1 hour 50 minutes to 4 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by minivan. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by minivan with tickets starting at 229,000 LAK ($10.40).
Where to stay in Vang Vieng?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Vang Vieng at the bottom of this page.
Vientiane to Vang Vieng by Minivan
With the opening of the new Vientiane-Boten Expressway, travel time by minivan and bus from Vientiane to Vang Vieng has been significantly reduced from 4 hours to 2-3 hours.
You can book a minivan in advance via BookAway, with rates from 229,000 LAK ($10.40). The advantage of this is that you can pick a company that offers free hotel pickup and drop-off, no need to find your way to and from transport terminals.
Minivan tickets are cheaper when you buy them directly at the bus terminal in Vientiane — around 110,000 LAK ($5). But it’s quite far from the city centre. When you add the taxi cost, it will be more cost-effective to book a minivan that picks you up from your hotel.
Keep in mind that minivans aren’t as spacious as buses. It’s not a good choice if you’re carrying bulky luggage.
Departure and arrival station
If they’re not offering hotel pickup, minivans depart from their own headquarters in central Vientiane or at the Northern Bus Stop, some 10 km north of the city.
They park at Vang Vieng Bus Terminal in the city centre or drop you off directly at your accommodation.
Minivan schedule from Vientiane to Vang Vieng
Vientiane to Vang Vieng by Bus
Buses offer a good and cheap alternative to minivans if you’re looking for a ride with good legroom.
Be careful when picking your bus, though. Some companies still take the toll-free route, not the Vientiane-Boten Expressway. Travel time is 2 to 4 hours, depending on which bus you take.
Bus fares from Vientiane to Vang Vieng start from 262,000 LAK ($11.90).
Departure and arrival station
Buses pick up passengers from various areas in Vientiane city centre, but the main departure point is at the Northern Bus Terminal, some 10 km northwest of central Vientiane. You can get there by taxi for around 100,000 LAK ($4.50) if you book through Loca or InDrive.
Most buses park at Vang Vieng North Bus Terminal in the city centre, but some go straight to their own headquarters in the city.
Bus schedules from Vientiane to Vang Vieng
Vientiane to Vang Vieng by Train
The train is a comfortable and quick way to travel from Vientiane to Vang Vieng. The ride itself takes only about an hour, making it the fastest option on paper.
But there’s a catch. Vientiane Railway Station sits quite far from the city centre, so you’ll need extra time to get there.
When you factor in the transfers to and from the train stations, the total travel time comes to around 2 hours.
Combined ticket prices start from 392,000 LAK ($17.80).
Step 1: How to get to Vientiane Railway Station
Vientiane Railway Station sits some 15 km northeast of Vientiane city centre. 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 the cheaper option, but it does take longer. On top of that, bus departures follow fixed schedules, so you might end up waiting at the terminal even if you arrive early.
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 gets you there in about 40 minutes. We recommend booking through local apps like Loca or InDrive. You’ll see the fare upfront, so there’s no need to worry 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.
Step 2: Train from Vientiane to Vang Vieng
Laos-China Railway (LCR) operates at least 5 trips daily from Vientiane to Vang Vieng.
The train journey takes just around 50 minutes. But some tour companies include pickup in Vientiane, and that’s why you will see extended travel times in the schedule we provided.
Train ticket prices to Vang Vieng from Vientiane start from 321,000 LAK ($14.60) when you book with BookAway, which offers LCR train tickets weeks in advance.
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PRO TIP: There are a few ways to score a ticket for the Laos-China Railway. The cheapest and most convenient is the LCR Ticket app, but registration isn’t always smooth and payments can fail. For more details, check out our complete guide for Booking Train Tickets in Laos.
Step 3: Vang Vieng Railway Station to Vang Vieng City Centre
Vang Vieng Railway Station is about 4 km away from the town centre. Once you arrive, you’ll find tuk-tuks waiting outside to take you into town.
A tuk-tuk ride to Vang Vieng city centre usually costs around 40,000 LAK ($1.80) per person and takes about 10 minutes.
Vientiane to Vang Vieng by Private Transport
A private transfer from Vientiane to Vang Vieng is a convenient option when travelling with a group or bulky luggage. The journey takes 2 hours 30 minutes, and you’ll be dropped off right at your accommodation — no need to worry about extra transfers.
Prices for private transfer start at 2,991,000 LAK ($135) for a 5-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about 598,000 LAK ($27) each.
Private Transport options from Vientiane to Vang Vieng
Best places to stay in Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng Diamond Resort - Budget Friendly
It’s not easy to find a resort for $23 a night, so when you find one like Vang Vieng Diamond Resort, you should snap it up! This place has a huge outdoor swimming pool, an onsite restaurant that serves a range of cuisines and nice areas to relax in.
The rooms are clean and spacious, offering great views of the mountain and surrounding areas. The resort is slightly out from the city centre, adding a bit of piece to your stay in Vang Vieng.
- Great value for money
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Onsite restaurant
- Mountain views
Private rooms start from $23 per night.Â
Vang Vieng Champa Hotel - Budget Friendly
Vang Vieng Champa Hotel recently opened, so everything feels clean and modern. Plus, they’re cleaned every day with fresh water provided every day. The host, Ben, goes out of his way to make sure you have a fabulous stay. He’s so incredible, many people have ended up extending their stay.
He wants to make you feel at home which includes providing a free breakfast every morning! The location is great, within walking distance of most attractions.
- Modern and clean
- Amazing host
- Free water
- Free delicious breakfast
Private rooms start from $25 per night. Â
Sunset Nam Ngum Resort - Mid Range
Sunset Nam Ngum Resort is situated 50 minutes south of Vang Vieng, but it offers a unique and unforgettable stay. You’ll be staying on one of the islets in Nam Ngum Reservoir, surrounded by water.
The place has just been renovated offering stunning and modern rooms that overlook the water. This is the perfect escape from the world. And don’t worry about the distance to Vang Vieng, the resort offers a free shuttle.
- Unique stay
- Surrounded by water
- Modern and luxury rooms
- Free shuttle to Vang Vieng
King rooms start from $40 per night.Â
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Vientiane to Vang Vieng. 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 Vientiane to Vang Vieng
What is the distance from Vientiane to Vang Vieng?
The distance from Vientiane to Vang Vieng is 150 kilometre (93 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Vientiane to Vang Vieng?
The fastest way to get from Vientiane to Vang Vieng is by minivan and takes 1 hour 50 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Vientiane to Vang Vieng?
The cheapest way to get from Vientiane to Vang Vieng is by minivan with ticket costs starting from 229,000 LAK ($10.40).
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.
