Vientiane to Luang Prabang by bus, van from LAK 239,221
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  1. Laos
  2. Vientiane
  3. Luang Prabang

From Vientiane any hotel to Luang Prabang by Vans

PTS Transit Service
Instant Refundable Recommended Fastest
06:30
Vientiane any hotel
11h van ride in Regional 14pax
3
17:30
Luang Prabang Southern Station
3+
Route Details
LAK 0
PTS Transit Service
Instant Refundable
17:30
Vientiane any hotel
13h van ride in Regional 14pax
3
06:30
+1
Luang Prabang Southern Station
3+
Route Details
LAK 0

From Vientiane Soutchai Travel to Luang Prabang by Buses

Soutchai Travel
Instant Refundable Recommended
18:00
Vientiane Soutchai Travel
14h bus ride in Express Sleeper
3
08:00
+1
Luang Prabang Northern Station
2+
Soutchai Travel Bus Express Sleeper outside photo
Route Details
LAK 0

From Vientiane Haysoke Guest House to Luang Prabang by Buses

Naga Travel
eTicket Instant Refundable
07:00
Vientiane Haysoke Guest House
13h bus ride in Standard AC
3
20:00
Luang Prabang Southern Station
2+
Naga Travel Bus Standard AC outside photo
Route Details
LAK 0
Naga Travel
eTicket Instant Refundable Recommended
18:00
Vientiane Haysoke Guest House
13h bus ride in Express Sleeper 41
2.8
07:00
+1
Luang Prabang Southern Station
3+
Route Details
LAK 0

Vientiane to Luang Prabang Schedule

Vientiane to Luang Prabang Schedule
Transport NameRoute TimePrice
PTS Transit Service Regional 14pax 06:30 - 17:30LAK 274,454
Naga Travel Standard AC 07:00 - 20:00LAK 262,775
PTS Transit Service Regional 14pax 17:30 - 06:30LAK 291,680
Naga Travel Express Sleeper 41 18:00 - 07:00LAK 289,052
Soutchai Travel Express Sleeper 18:00 - 08:00LAK 239,220

Vientiane to Luang Prabang destination reviews

2.4
97 customer reviews
5
8%
4
13%
3
26%
2
16%
1
36%
MM
3
van Regional 14pax, Soutchai Travel, Nov 12, 2019
I was suppose to travel by bus and they told me in advance I would be traveling by van. It is ok if you book a decent number of people with their luggage. They expected us to be 13 in a van crowed with luggage. Back to the bus station, I asked to change van. I finally travelled in better conditions. I was aware of it by previous complaints from travelers. Please check on the reviews if you think they mean something to you. We, as travelers take time to write them.
AD
2
Bus Express Sleeper 41, Naga Travel, Sep 27, 2019
Stuck three of us in tiny compartment over engine at back of bus. Not impressed. These spaces not designed for three large western guys.
RH
3
van Regional 14pax, Soutchai Travel, Aug 18, 2019
We were packed into a tiny mini bus that could barley fit us all so I had to sit in the middle front seat which was concrete hard unlike the seat everyone else was sitting on the difference was night and day, made for a very uncomfortable journey, although the driver got us there an hr early so that was positive and he was nice
AB
2
Bus Express Sleeper 41, Naga Travel, Jul 22, 2019
Communication on what bus to get was poor, we got told to stay on transport which was going to Paksa when we were going to Luang Prabang. The driving was crazy and my partner was unable to sleep more than 2hrs. Air conditioning was good and bed wasn’t too bad.
RR
2
van Regional 14pax, Soutchai Travel, Jul 16, 2019
So many people in a small van, the baggage storaged on a roof rack and the driver stopped along the way several times to pick up more package. We already knew the bad road bad conditions, so no complaints about it,but in our opinion the driver could have been more careful due to this and the weather (so much fog)
AD
3
Bus Express Sleeper, Soutchai Travel, Jul 11, 2019
We travelled with overnight bus from Vientiane to Luang Prabang. On the plus side - we arrived early (just in time for the sunrise alms-giving ceremony) and managed to get some sleep on the way. There was AC and we got blankets. On the minus side - we had to arrive at 18:00 in the Soutchai office, while the bus leaves at 20:30 from the Northern bus station. We first waited for the transfer from the office to the bus terminal. Our vouchers were changed into tickets there and we had to wait nearly 2 hours at the dirty station. The bus was there, but they would not let us in before the 20:15. The price of the ticket at the station was 150.000 kip, we paid twice the price (over 30$) per person through 12GoAsia. The reclining seats allows you to sleep if you are less than 170 cm. There is no toilet and no toilet stops on the way. Instead of 8:00am stated on the tickets we arrived at 5:20am. Also we arrived to Southern station in Luang Prabang, while our tickets stated that we will arrive at the Northern one. Still this trip was more restful than the other way round.
HE
3
Bus Standard AC, Naga Travel, Apr 29, 2019
I bought the ticket via 12go and I am aware that they are only selling the ticket and are not operating the buses. The bus had 12-15 passengers, give or take, during the tour. The trip between Vientiane and Luang Prabang was interesting and I can summarize it as: Pro: - We made it all the way without any incidents . That said there was several near-misses and some serious incidents observed on the way (see below) - The driver of the bus was politely and friendly - The air-con was not to cold (which is often a problem on this buses) - Plenty of stops en-route (might be annoying for some) ensured that the engine - and most importantly - the brakes could cool down before continue the ride. Con: - We observed a truck involved in a "front to front" collision with another heavy vehicle. This caused some delays both southbound and northbound. - We observed an incident involving two motorcycles with at least two fatalities. Shocking! - I showed up the 1 hour before pick up (as instructed on the ticket) just to experience that I had to wait for 1 hour and 20 minutes for the pick-up. - At the bus station there was some confusion about which bus to take, wen it was leaving etc, but it was sorted out in the end. - The bus was old, noisy and had seen better days. But remember- this is Laos - The roads was bumpy, and to some extent, unpaved. But remember- this is Laos
ME
2
van Regional 14pax, Soutchai Travel, Apr 23, 2019
Driver did not seem that confident on the roads and at times felt dangerous. On the plus side, the bus left 15 mins early and did not take 6 hours, more like 4.5 - with a 30 min food stop and a shorter 10 min toilet break.
BH
3
van Regional 14pax, PTS Transit Service, Apr 10, 2019
Overall we managed to reach the destination safely and on time. However, we booked a sleeper van but we got a sleeper bus where the aircon broke down.
FS
2
van Regional 14pax, PTS Transit Service, Apr 4, 2019
The driver who picked me up was very helpful and kind. The bus left 45 minutes late, and we got to Luang Prabang 3 hours late. The bus smelled very moldy and made me cough. The bathroom was closed, which was very inconvenient for me because I was sick. Thankfully the driver stopped many times so we could use the bathroom. The bus service was kind about letting me have my own bed since I am bigger than most Asian people.
MS
2
van Regional 14pax, Soutchai Travel, Mar 20, 2019
We weren’t happy that once we boarded the mini bus in Vang Vieng, we had to drive around for ages back and forth to the same places to pick up other travellers who were not ready on time. There was not enough space in the mini van for every plus our bags, it was so cramped for a 4 hour plus journey.
ST
3
Bus Express Sleeper 41, Naga Travel, Jan 22, 2019
A bumpy ride, but quite okay, through the mountains. The bus didn’t have so much space, but the beds were fine for sleeping. At the paper it said we were supposed to leave at 18 pm but the bus took off at 20.30 pm. It also said a ride for about 13 hours, and were supposed to be in Luang Prabang at 7.00am. But the bus came in at 12pm. At the bus station tuktuk’s are ready to pick you up, but be aware that they drive you to city center and not the accommodation, even though you tell them where to go.
MJ
4
van Regional 14pax, Soutchai Travel, Jan 9, 2019
The mini-van was in pretty good condition and the driver drove reasonably safely. The roads aren’t in great condition but the beautiful scenery en route compensates. Overall, I’d recommend this service, especially at busy times of the year where it’s worth paying the 12go. premium to secure a seat in advance.
AP
2
Bus Express Sleeper 41, Naga Travel, Dec 25, 2018
Booked sleeper bus from Vientiane to Luang Prabang. Time on booking was 18.00 but not a real departure time. Mini van shuttle picked up me to northern bus terminal and real departure time was 20.00(same as another bus company) They gave a meal voucher that no staff speak english to tell how and where to use. The meal voucher are value 10k kip that can exchange some snack or drink, not enough for meal. Few passenger got only fucking sticky rice!!
DL
2
van Regional 14pax, PTS Transit Service, Nov 29, 2018
The good: Someone picks you up from your hotel. GREAT scenery. Trip included lunch. The bad: Bus was fairly dirty, needed dusting and a good wipe down and vacuum. Driver played music for most of the trip, which seemed kind of weird. When it gets dark no lights are turned on, so you’re just sitting in the dark. This could have been a good opportunity for sleep, but the music was still playing. Near the end of the trip he made a lot of stops. Trip took about 13 hours
HR
3
van Regional 14pax, Soutchai Travel, Apr 10, 2019
Nvt
PO
5
van Regional 14pax, Soutchai Travel, Mar 18, 2019
Great driver, great travel
KS
5
van Regional 14pax, PTS Transit Service, Feb 20, 2019
Long and hard on the butt. All okay. Thanks!
CL
4
Bus Express Sleeper 41, Naga Travel, Feb 16, 2019
Bring some earplugs and you are fine.

Popular Routes

From Vientiane

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From Luang Prabang

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How to get from Vientiane to Luang Prabang

When you want to get from Vientiane to Luang Prabang, you have a few options to consider. Traveling between these destinations is possible by different means of transport:

  • Bus
  • Van

If you’re looking for a quick trip, it’s recommended that you use Van. However, if you’d rather take your time with a slower, more affordable travel option, you can book a Bus ticket.

The cost of travel will depend on the means of transport you choose for your trip. A van ticket is the most expensive option - it will cost you about LAK 291,445. If you want to save on transportation, it’s better to take a bus as a bus ticket costs as low as LAK 239,221.

How far is Vientiane from Luang Prabang?

If you’re traveling by land, it’s important to know the distance from Vientiane to Luang Prabang. Your trip will be a total of 436 miles (700 km). The flying distance is 147 miles (235 km).

How long does it take to get from Vientiane to Luang Prabang?

The travel time from Vientiane to Luang Prabang can vary depending on the mode of transportation you choose. All things considered, the whole journey should take from 11 to 14 hours.

How much does it cost to get from Vientiane to Luang Prabang?

The cost of the trip from Vientiane to Luang Prabang varies according to what means of transport you choose for your journey. The most affordable operator is Soutchai Travel (ບໍລິສັດ ສຸດໃຈທ່ອງທ່ຽວ ຈໍາກັດຜູ້ດຽວ): travelling by bus expect to pay as low as LAK 239,221 for your ticket.

However, if you’re after more upscale travel . The most expensive variant is to opt for a van - a one-way van ticket can cost as much as LAK 291,445.

Here is a chart of the average ticket prices and transportation options available from Vientiane to Luang Prabang:

  • Bus tickets - LAK 239,221 to LAK 288,819;
  • Van price : LAK 274,232 - LAK 291,445;

How many trips per day are there between Vientiane and Luang Prabang?

Depending on your choice of transportation, the number of daily trips varies.

  • Buses start plying the route from 07:00 - you can also take a bus as late as 18:00. There are 3 available bus trips every day.
  • Vans from Vientiane to Luang Prabang depart during the day - there are approximately 2 departures a day.

Which means of transport is the best for the route?

Buses

Taking a bus from Vientiane to Luang Prabang is cheaper than flying. Quite often, a long-distance bus is the cheapest transportation option. Buses normally make bathroom and/or lunch stops along the way.

Things to remember before opting for a bus ride:

  • If possible, make sure to choose higher-class buses for a more comfortable travel experience. Such buses often have an air conditioning system, soft reclining seats, Wi-Fi, bathrooms, etc.
  • As with plane tickets, buses are better booked in advance so that you can secure a good seat.
  • While booking a bus, keep in mind that delays are possible. Yet it still pays to get to the bus station at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure.

Vans

A shared van is another means of transport for travelling from Vientiane to Luang Prabang. As far as travel time is concerned, it’s basically equal to a taxi ride, while price-wise it’s way more affordable. The majority of tourists book a van online in advance.

Sometimes, when trains or buses aren’t available, a van is your only way to get from Vientiane to Luang Prabang.

Things to remember: while travelling by van, you might not have as much space for luggage as you would on a train or a plane. It’s a good idea to pack only the most useful things for a van trip and put them in a backpack that will be easy to carry around.

The most popular transport from Vientiane to Luang Prabang

How to choose the most convenient way of travel from Vientiane to Luang Prabang? In order to make your choice of transportation easier, we asked 1000 users to range their preferences for this route. Here are the results of the poll:

  • 835 decided to go for a bus.
  • 165 opted for a van.