VientianeVang Vieng
The gateway to Vang Vieng's karst scenery, and the shortest hop on the Laos–China Railway.
The capital · Verified 14 October 2026
Vientiane Bus & Train Tickets: Getting There and Around
Vientiane has three bus terminals and two railway stations, none in the centre. Despite its name, the Southern Bus Terminal, for buses south, is north-east of downtown.
- 3 bus terminals
- Two rail stations: 7 km and 14–15 km out
- Airport 5.5 km, 15 min
Search Vientiane routes
Which terminal do I need?
Pick by direction. North to Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang: the Northern Terminal, or the faster train from the Laos–China Railway station, 14 to 15 km out. South, Vietnam and Cambodia: the Southern Terminal (Dong Dok), north-east of downtown despite its name. Thailand by train: Khamsavath station, 7 km out. The Central Bus Station (Talat Sao) serves the city and nearby towns, and Wattay Airport is 5.5 km away, about 15 minutes by taxi.
Three terminals, one confusing name
| Hub | Distance | Serves |
|---|---|---|
| Central Bus Station (Talat Sao) | Downtown, beside the Morning Market | City buses and a handful of nearby domestic routes |
| Northern Bus Terminal | T2 Road, over 10 km out | Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, and the north |
| Southern Bus Terminal (Dong Dok) | approx 11 km north-east, off Kaysone Phomvihane Avenue | Thakhek, Savannakhet, Pakse, and international buses to Vietnam and Cambodia |
| Laos–China Railway station | approx 14–15 km | Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, Boten and the through train to Kunming |
| Khamsavath station (Thai line) | approx 7 km | Nong Khai, Udon Thani and the direct sleeper to Bangkok |
| Wattay Airport (VTE) | approx 5.5 km, 15 min | Bangkok, Luang Prabang, Hanoi and the region |
Northbound
- D88 08:00 → Kunming South
- K12 08:25 → Boten
- C92 09:20 → Luang Prabang
- D84 11:25 → Kunming
- C96 14:05 → Boten Thursday
- C96 14:05 → Boten Friday to Monday
- C86 15:15 → Luang Prabang
From our daily train timetable, last checked Tuesday 20 October 2026, 06:00. Full timetable
The name is the trap here: the Southern Bus Terminal is named for the destinations it serves, not its own location, and sits north-east of the centre near Dong Dok. Say "Dong Dok" to a tuk tuk driver rather than "the southern terminal" if you want to avoid confusion.
What to expect at the bus terminals
The Southern Terminal is reasonably well equipped for a Lao long-distance station: recent travellers report ticket counters, food and drinks, toilets and ATMs, and some counters take cards as well as cash. The Northern Terminal is more basic, though small local restaurants surround it. For the ride into town, check a ride-hailing app before taking the first tuk tuk offer.
Getting between the terminals and downtown
Local bus 29 runs to the Southern Terminal (Dong Dok) roughly every 10 to 20 minutes, for a few thousand kip, the cheapest option if your onward departure gives you time. Otherwise a tuk tuk from any of the three terminals into the centre is normal; agree the fare before getting in, since none of the terminals post a fixed rate board the way the airport does.
Kip prices for local rides have been rising quickly through 2026, so ask locally rather than trust an old figure.
For a fixed price instead of a negotiation, three ride-hailing apps operate in Vientiane: LOCA, Green SM and Maxim. All three show the fare before you book and can take you to any of the three bus terminals, either railway station or the airport. Maxim is usually cheapest, but check the final fare for added stops.
InDrive does not work here
InDrive was blocked across Laos by the National Internet Regulatory Commission on 28 May 2025 and has not returned. Several general travel guides still recommend it; that advice does not apply in Laos.
Domestic routes from Vientiane
Vientiane
VientianeLuang Prabang
The country's best-connected long-haul run, with an overnight VIP bus alongside the much faster railway.
VientianePakse
The overnight route south, ending near Wat Phou's Khmer ruins and the Bolaven Plateau's coffee country.
VientianeThakhek
The route into the Thakhek Loop, one of Laos's best-known motorbike circuits.
VientianeLuang Prabang
VientianeVang Vieng
For the international routes out of Vientiane, this page covers the city's own terminals, not the border crossings themselves: see Vientiane to Bangkok and Vientiane to Hanoi for those two corridors in full, or Laos to Thailand and Laos to Vietnam for every other crossing. For the new direct bus from Udon Thani Airport, see Laos to Thailand.
Common questions
Which bus terminal do I need?
Northern Terminal for Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang and the north. Southern Terminal (Dong Dok) for Thakhek, Savannakhet, Pakse, Vietnam and Cambodia. Talat Sao, downtown, for city and nearby buses.
Why is the "Southern" terminal not south of the city?
It is named for the destinations it serves, not its own location. Dong Dok sits north-east of downtown.
How far is the railway station?
Two stations: the Laos–China Railway station, 14 to 15 km out, and Khamsavath, 7 km out, for trains to Thailand and itself an international checkpoint. City bus 28 from Talat Sao, about 90 minutes before each train, 25,000 kip.
Is Vientiane busy during Boun That Luang?
24 November 2026. Book trains at 06:30 seven days ahead and buses a few days early; both sell out that week.
How do I get from Wattay Airport to town?
About 5.5 km, 15 minutes. A counter taxi runs roughly US$7 to 8 by sedan or van; a tuk tuk from the main road outside is cheaper, kip prices permitting. The airport bus, route 44, runs to the Central Bus Station for 40,000 kip; frequency varies.
Which ride-hailing apps work in Vientiane?
LOCA, Green SM and Maxim work here with a fixed fare shown up front. InDrive does not, blocked across Laos since May 2025.
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
- The Laotian Times: Maxim in Vientiane: Maxim ride-hailing in Vientiane
- Lao Department of Immigration: checkpoint list, opening hours and visa status
- Travelfish: how to get to Vientiane: bus terminal names, locations and the local connecting bus
- Radio Free Asia: Laos's block on the InDrive ride-hailing app
- The Laotian Times: Wattay airport shuttle bus: the airport bus service and its route to the Central Bus Station
- The Man in Seat 61: train classes, timings, fares, security rules, ticket offices and the 2025 extension of the advance booking window