Which bus station do I need in Luang Prabang?

For Vientiane, Vang Vieng and the south, use the Southern (Naluang) Bus Station, about 2 km south of the old town. For Nong Khiaw, Oudomxay, Luang Namtha, Phongsaly and the north, use the Northern Bus Station, about 3 km north next to the airport. They are on opposite sides of town, so check before you book a tuk tuk.

Is the train worth it over the bus to Vientiane?

For this route, almost always. 1 h 46 m to 2 h 21 m by train against about 10 hours by road. See Laos train tickets for fares and how to actually get a seat.

What about getting to Nong Khiaw or the north?

From the Northern Bus Station. See Nong Khiaw bus tickets for the onward leg and boat connections up the Nam Ou.

The tiered turquoise pools of Kuang Si Falls outside Luang Prabang

Destination guide · Verified 5 September 2026

Luang Prabang Bus & Train Tickets: Northern or Southern Station

Q: How far is the railway station?

About 11 km from the old town, further out than either bus terminal. Allow 25 to 30 minutes and arrange transport in advance for an early departure.

Q: How do I get from the airport to town?

About 5 km. A shared tuk tuk from the airport typically runs around 50,000 kip; hailing one from town back to the airport tends to be quoted nearer 100,000 kip. A shared minivan is usually the cheapest option if one is running.

Three separate transport hubs serve Luang Prabang, none of them in the old town, and picking the wrong one costs you a long tuk tuk ride across the peninsula.

2 bus terminals, north and south
Station 11 km from the old town
Airport 5 km, 20 min by tuk tuk
Vientiane by train: 1 h 46 m

Search Luang Prabang routes

Which terminal do I actually need?

Luang Prabang runs on three separate hubs, none of them in the old town: the Southern Bus Station (about 2 km south, for Vientiane and the south), the Northern Bus Station (about 3 km north next to the airport, for Nong Khiaw and the north), and the railway station (about 11 km out). Vientiane to Luang Prabang by train is 1 h 46 m against about 10 hours by road.

Three hubs, none of them central

Luang Prabang's transport hubs and what each one serves.
Hub	Distance	Serves
Southern (Naluang) Bus Station	approx 2 km south	Vientiane, Vang Vieng, Sayaboury, Phonsavan
Northern Bus Station	approx 3 km north, next to the airport	Nong Khiaw, Oudomxay, Luang Namtha, Phongsaly
Railway station	approx 11 km	Vientiane, Vang Vieng, Boten and the through train to Kunming
Airport (LPQ)	approx 5 km	Vientiane, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Siem Reap

Confirm which bus station your ticket leaves from before you arrange a tuk tuk. The two bus terminals sit on opposite sides of the old town, and a driver who assumes the wrong one costs you 20 to 30 minutes you may not have.

Getting to Luang Prabang

VientianeLuang Prabang

Duration: approx 10 hrs by road
Sold as: train, van, bus, flight, taxi

Check Vientiane to Luang Prabang prices Luang Prabang to Vientiane prices

Luang PrabangChiang Mai

Direct service

Border crossing: 4th Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge
Duration: approx 20 hrs
Sold as: bus, van, flight, taxi

Check Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai prices Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang prices

Luang PrabangChiang Rai

Border crossing: 4th Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge
Duration: approx 16 hrs
Sold as: van, bus, ferry, flight, taxi

Check Luang Prabang to Chiang Rai prices Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang prices

Luang PrabangHanoi

Border crossing: Nam Soy – Na Mèo
Duration: approx 24 hrs
Sold as: bus, van, train, flight, taxi

Check Luang Prabang to Hanoi prices Hanoi to Luang Prabang prices

Common questions

Which bus station do I need?

Southern (Naluang) for Vientiane, Vang Vieng and the south; Northern, by the airport, for Nong Khiaw and the north.

How far is the railway station?

About 11 km out, further than either bus terminal. Allow 25–30 minutes.

How do I get from the airport to town?

About 5 km. Shared tuk tuk roughly 50,000 kip from the airport; a hailed one back can run nearer 100,000 kip.

Is the train worth it to Vientiane?

Almost always: 1 h 46 m to 2 h 21 m against about 10 hours by road.

Laos Bus Tickets

Written and maintained from Vientiane. The people behind this site have lived in Laos for two decades and cross these borders themselves. Routes and visa rules get rechecked whenever something changes, not on a fixed schedule that lets stale information sit for months.

Sources for this page

Lao Department of Immigration: checkpoint list, opening hours and visa status
Travelfish: how to get to Luang Prabang: northern and southern bus terminal locations
Gecko Routes: Luang Prabang airport transfers: airport-to-town transport and fares
The Man in Seat 61: train classes, timings and booking mechanics