Destination guide · Verified 5 September 2026
Vientiane Bus & Train Tickets: Getting There and Around
Vientiane is the hub for almost every route on this site, and also the one with the most confusing terminal names. The Southern Bus Terminal serves the south, not the city's south side.
- 3 bus terminals
- Khamsavath station, 9–13 km out
- Airport 5.5 km, 15 min
- "Southern" terminal is north of town
Search Vientiane routes
Which terminal do I actually need?
Vientiane runs on three separate bus terminals, none of them downtown, plus a railway station further out again. The Northern Terminal covers Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang and the north; the Southern Terminal (Dong Dok), confusingly north-east of downtown, covers the south plus Vietnam and Cambodia; the Central Bus Station (Talat Sao), beside the Morning Market, handles city and nearby routes. Khamsavath railway station is 9 to 13 km out, and Wattay Airport is 5.5 km, 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 |
| Khamsavath railway station | approx 9–13 km | Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, Boten and the through train to Kunming |
| Wattay Airport (VTE) | approx 5.5 km, 15 min | Bangkok, Luang Prabang, Hanoi and the region |
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.
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.
Domestic routes from Vientiane
VientianeLuang Prabang
VientianePakse
VientianeThakhek
VientianeLuang Prabang
VientianeVang Vieng
For the international routes out of Vientiane, Bangkok, Hanoi and beyond, see the border crossing pages linked in the footer; this page covers the city's own terminals, not the borders themselves.
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?
Khamsavath station is 9 to 13 km out, and is itself listed as an international checkpoint with visa on arrival and eVisa both available.
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.
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 Vientiane: bus terminal names, locations and the local connecting bus
- Gecko Routes: Vientiane airport transfers: Wattay airport-to-town transport and fares