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Vientiane is Laos's laid-back riverside capital, 522 kilometres (324 miles) northeast of Bangkok. It's a slow city of temples and French bakeries on the Mekong. Flying is the quickest way, taking 2h 15m - 2h 45m. Overland, the cheapest way to get from Bangkok to Vientiane is the train at $11 (249,000 LAK). The bus costs more and it will take a long time, around 14-17h.
Distance from Bangkok to Vientiane
Bangkok and Vientiane are about 522 km (324 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 648 km by road. The quickest way to get from Bangkok to Vientiane is by taking the flight, which takes around 2h 15m - 2h 45m.
4 ways to travel from Bangkok to Vientiane
There are four ways to travel from Bangkok to Vientiane. You can choose between the direct train, indirect train, flight, and bus. The journey takes 2h 15m–14h and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by indirect train with tickets starting at $11 (249,000 LAK).
incl. transfers — see itinerary
- Bangkok→Vientiane30m
- Train from Bangkok to Vientiane11h 30m
- Khamsavath Railway Station to Vientiane City Centre30m
2 legs — see itinerary
- Bangkok , Don Mueang , Krung Thep→Nong Khai8h 45m
- Nong Khai→Vientiane , Khamsavath30m
incl. transfers — see itinerary
- How to get to Bangkok Airport1h
- Flight from Bangkok to Vientiane1h 10m
- Vientiane Airport to City Centre35m
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Bangkok to Vientiane by Direct Train
Taking a direct train from Bangkok to Vientiane is the most popular way to travel this route. It’s affordable, comfortable, and doubles as your accommodation for the night.
Total travel time, including your transfers to and from the railway stations, is around 12h 30m. Train fares start from $12 (266,000 LAK).
Step 1: How to get to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal
Trains bound for Vientiane depart from Bangkok's Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, the largest railway station in Southeast Asia. You can find it about 9 km from downtown Bangkok.
The cheapest way to get there is by MRT Blue Line or SRT Dark Red Line. Both train lines make a stop at Krung Thep Aphiwat (also known as Bang Sue Station). A ticket costs around $1.40 (45 THB) and travel time is about 30 minutes.
Alternatively, you can take a taxi for about $4.50 (150 THB).
Step 2: Train from Bangkok to Vientiane
- 3rd class seat: fan cabin with seats that do not recline (most times hard seat, but some of the new ones have cushion)
- 2nd class seat: air-conditioned cabin with reclining seats
- 2nd class sleeper: air-conditioned cabin with seats that turn into beds
Step tickets are available on Bookaway.
Border crossing and immigration process
The train stops at the border in Nong Khai around 08:00. You are to get off the train with your valuables and head to the Thai immigration office. This stop takes around 20 to 30 minutes.
Don't worry about getting left behind. The trains doesn't leave until all passengers bound for Vientiane are back on board.
From Nong Khai, it takes another 30 minutes to reach the Lao capital. The train stops at Khamsavath Railway Station. If you need a visa to enter Laos and don't have an e-visa yet, you will process your visa-on-arrival here. This costs $40 (889,000 LAK).
Step 3: Khamsavath Railway Station to Vientiane City Centre
The train's last stop is at Khamsavath Railway Station, about 6 km east of central Vientiane. From here, there are 2 ways you can get to the city: by bus and by taxi.
A bus ride from Khamsavath to the city centre takes around 30 minutes. A ticket costs $0.90 (20,000 LAK).
Mind the bus schedule upon arrival at the train station. There are 3 buses that leave at 10:10, 10:40 and 11:00. It's worth noting that sometimes, the 3rd bus gets cancelled. And you'll either have to wait for the next bus leaving at 13:30, or take a more expensive taxi.
If you're taking a taxi, we recommend booking one through local taxi-hailing apps like Loca, InDrive, and Kokkok Move. Fares to the city start from $2.70 (60,000 LAK).
Although there are plenty of taxis waiting outside Khamsavath Train Station, their prices are often inflated. Expect rates from $11 (250,000 LAK).
Bangkok to Vientiane by Indirect Train
Thinking of stopping in Nong Khai? Or just want to break up the 12.5-hour direct train from Bangkok to Vientiane? The indirect train is your best bet.
With this option, you’ll take a train from Bangkok to Nong Khai, go through immigration, and then hop on another train to Vientiane.
It also gives you more flexibility. Unlike the direct train, which only runs overnight, the Bangkok to Nong Khai route includes a daytime train too.
Step 1: Train from Bangkok to Nong Khai
Apart from Train 133, which operates from Bangkok to Vientiane with a stop in Nong Khai, there are 2 other trains you can take from Bangkok to Nong Khai: Train 75 and Train 25.
Train 75 leaves Bangkok in the morning, and you'll spend about 9 hours on the train. You'll be passing through rural Thailand. But admittedly, there's not much to see. It's best to take this train only if you're looking to spend one night in Nong Khai.
Train 25 leaves Bangkok in the evening. You'll travel overnight for around 10 hours. A big plus with Train 25 is comfort. It offers 1st class sleeper cabins, so you get a private space and a more relaxed journey.
Ticket prices from Bangkok to Nong Khai start from $8.80 (195,000 LAK).
Trains depart from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, but you can also board at Don Muang Train Station.
Step tickets are available on Bookaway.
Border crossing and immigration process
You will find the immigration office at the northern end of Platform 1 in Nong Khai Station. This opens at 08:00 in the morning.
If the immigration procedure is taking too long, don't worry. The connecting train won't leave until everyone has finished with immigration.
Get your exit stamp and proceed to the waiting area for your connecting train.
On the Laos side, you can get your visa-on-arrival at Khamsavath Railway Station, the last stop in Vientiane. Alternatively, you can get an e-visa beforehand.
Step 2: Train from Nong Khai to Vientiane
From Nong Khai, it's a short 30-minute train ride to Vientiane. Ticket prices start from $2.40 (54,000 LAK) for a non-airconditioned 3rd class seat.
There are 2 train departures: one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
The train's last stop is at Khamsavath Railway Station, 6 km from Vientiane city centre. The cheapest way to get to the city is by bus for only $0.90 (20,000 LAK). Alternatively, you can take a taxi with rates from $2.70 (60,000 LAK) when you book through local taxi-hailing apps like Loca, InDrive, and Kokkok Move.
Step tickets are available on Bookaway.
Bangkok to Vientiane by Flight
In a hurry? The fastest way to get from Bangkok to Vientiane is by flight.
Travel time, including airport transfers, takes only 2h 15m - 2h 45m.
It's quite expensive, though, with combined fares from $100 (2,218,000 LAK).
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 Bangkok Airport
Bangkok has two airports: Don Muang International Airport (DMK) and Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). Double-check which terminal your flight is departing from, because these two airports are 45 km apart.
Bangkok City Centre to Don Muang Airport
Don Muang Airport is about 25 km north of Bangkok city centre.
The easiest way to get there is by taxi. You can hail one via Grab with rates from $9.00 (300 THB). The ride takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending on where you're coming from in the city.
On a budget? The airport bus is a cheap and direct option, with ticket prices starting from $0.90 (30 THB). Travel time is 30 minutes to 1 hour,
For more details, check our guide for Don Muang Airport.
Bangkok City Centre to Suvarnabhumi Airport
You can find Suvarnabhumi Airport some 30 km east of Bangkok city centre.
A Grab taxi ride costs about $14 (450 THB), plus toll fees of around $2.10 (70 THB) when you take the expressway. Travel time is 30 to 45 minutes.
A cheap alternative would be to take the airport rail link from Phaya Thai Station or Makkasan Station for only $1.40 (45 THB). But note that you'll most likely have to take a taxi from your hotel to these BTS and MRT stations.
Check out our article for Suvarnabhumi Airport for more transport options.
Step 2: Flight from Bangkok to Vientiane
AirAsia, Lao Airlines and Thai Airways offer direct flights from Bangkok to Vientiane daily. Ticket prices start from $98 (2,178,000 LAK) for a one-way trip.
The flight takes about 1h 10m.
AirAsia often offers the cheapest fares. It departs from Don Muang Airport. Lao Airlines and Thai Airways fly from Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Step 3: Vientiane Airport to City Centre
There are 2 ways to travel the 8 km from Vientiane Airport to the city centre: by bus for $1.80 (40,000 LAK) and by taxi with rates from $3.20 (70,000 LAK). Both options take about 35 minutes.
The Vientiane Airport Bus Line is a convenient choice for solo travellers. It takes a clockwise route from Wattay International Airport to Central Bus Station, and then back to the airport — passing through most hotels and hostels in the city.
If you're travelling with at least one other person, it might be more cost-efficient to take a taxi. The cheapest way to do that would be to book one via local taxi-hailing apps like Loca and InDrive. Airport taxis are also readily available, but more expensive.
For more details, visit our guide for Vientiane Airport.
Flight tickets are available on Skyscanner.
Bangkok to Vientiane by Bus
Buses operating from Bangkok to Vientiane give you a more direct option (compared to the train). They often depart from downtown Bangkok and arrive at Vientiane city centre.
You can expect spacious seats that recline comfortably when you take a premium bus for this route. Although with bus fares from $46 (1,018,000 LAK), we think it would still be more cost-effective to take a direct train to Vientiane from Bangkok.
Travel time by bus is around 14-17h, so make sure to book an overnight one!
Crossing the First Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge
With about 2 hours left in your journey, the bus stops at the Thailand Immigration Office in Nong Khai. You’ll need to get off here for exit checks.
Make a mental note of your bus, as you’ll return to it right after Thai immigration. The same bus takes you across the First Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge and drops you off at the Laos Immigration Office.
If you need a visa for Laos and don’t have an e-visa, you can get a visa-on-arrival here. Once you’re done, hop back on your bus. It takes about another hour to reach Vientiane.
Bus schedule from Bangkok to Vientiane
Bus tickets are available on Bookaway.
Our favourite places to stay in Vientiane
Here are our favourite places to stay in Vientiane for every budget.
Patuxay Place
Patuxay Place is great value for money. The rooms are spacious, modern and decorated to a high standard. The hotel has thought of every detail, including free drinking water on every floor of the hotel.
The staff want to make sure you have the best stay possible, offering a helping hand whenever you need it. They're full of recommendations too! The hotel is situated in a great location in Vientiane.
- Spacious and modern rooms
- Free drinking water
- Amazing staff
- Perfect location
Private rooms start from $29 per night.
S 2 Modern Boutique Hotel
This hotel is beautiful! S 2 Modern Boutique Hotel boasts a modern and simple decor with pops of colour. Every corner of this hotel is aesthetic. There's also an outdoor swimming pool, onsite gym and delicious restaurant. There's even a barista.
It's good to know that it isn't located directly in the city centre, so you'll need to grab a taxi to visit popular attractions. Don't worry though, the friendly and helpful staff are always on hand to help you get somewhere.
- Beautiful hotel
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Onsite gym
- Delicious restaurant
King rooms start from $39 per night.
Eastin Hotel Vientiane
If you want to splash the cash a little, Eastin Hotel is the place to do it. Overlooking the Mekong River, it's hard to find a better view to wake up to. The hotel was built recently meaning that everything is fresh, clean and very modern.
The hotel is located 10 minutes outside of the city, but there's a courtesy car to take you there and back. The service here will make your stay an unforgettable one.
- Stunning river views
- Modern and clean hotel
- Recently built
- Courtesy car to city centre
Private rooms start from $66 per night.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Vientiane?
Vientiane is Laos’ fascinating capital city sitting on the banks of the Mekong River. A former French trading post, the city has kept many of its historical influences and original architecture undamaged.
True, there is not much to do in this sleepy city — and that’s exactly what sets Vientiane apart from other capital cities in Southeast Asia. It is a hub for temples, markets, spas and cafes. Our favourite spot is the riverside, where you can relax with a cold Beer Lao and just watch the sunset over the Mekong.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Bangkok to Vientiane, roughly 522 kilometres (324 miles) apart. In all, there are 4 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $11 (249,000 LAK). The quickest trip takes 2h 15m.
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 distance from Bangkok to Vientiane?
The distance from Bangkok to Vientiane is 522 kilometres (324 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Bangkok to Vientiane?
The fastest way to get from Bangkok to Vientiane is by flight and takes 2h 15m - 2h 45m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Bangkok to Vientiane?
The cheapest way to get from Bangkok to Vientiane is by indirect train with ticket costs starting from 249,000 LAK.
About the Authors
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.
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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