Destination guide · Verified 5 September 2026
Vang Vieng Bus & Train Tickets: Getting There and Around
Vang Vieng has two separate stations, and neither is in town. The train from Vientiane is the fastest way in; the bus still wins from Luang Prabang on price.
- 2 stations, neither central
- Train from Vientiane: about 1 hr
- Tuk tuk into town 10,000+ kip
- From Luang Prabang: 6 hrs by road
Search Vang Vieng routes
Which station do I need, and how do I get into town?
Vang Vieng has two separate stations, and neither is in town: the railway station is 3 to 4 km north, the bus station about 2 km north on Route 13. From Vientiane the train takes about an hour against roughly four hours by road. From Luang Prabang, the bus takes about six hours; the train covers it in about an hour but still needs the same station transfers.
Two stations, neither in town
| Station | Distance | Getting into town |
|---|---|---|
| Railway station | 3–4 km north | Minivan or green shared bus, 40,000 kip, or a tuk tuk, about 10 minutes |
| Main bus station | about 2 km north, on Route 13 | Organised tuk tuk approx 10,000 kip per person, or a shared songthaew approx 25,000 kip |
| South Bus Terminal | approx 750 m from the Nam Song toll bridge | Closer in; a short walk or a cheap tuk tuk hop |
People routinely assume the bus station is close because Vang Vieng itself is small. It is not. Budget the transfer into your connection time either way, especially for an early train.
Getting to Vang Vieng
Luang PrabangVang Vieng
For the train timetable and fares on both these pairs, see Laos train tickets, which covers Vientiane–Vang Vieng and Vang Vieng–Luang Prabang in full.
Common questions
Where is the Vang Vieng railway station?
3–4 km north of town. Minivan or green shared bus 40,000 kip, or a tuk tuk, about 10 minutes.
Where is the Vang Vieng bus station?
About 2 km north on Route 13. Tuk tuk approx 10,000 kip per person; shared songthaew approx 25,000 kip.
Train or bus from Vientiane?
Train is about an hour against roughly four by road, but the station transfers narrow the real-world gap.
How do I get from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng?
About six hours by road, or about an hour by train.
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 Vang Vieng: bus station location and tuk tuk fares
- Laos Life: Vang Vieng South Bus Terminal: the second, smaller terminal near the Nam Song bridge
- Wikivoyage: Laos: background on overland travel and bus classes