UG
Ulrich GI didn't like the service of 12go so much.
The train tickets arrived very late, and the need to pick up the tickets at a different place again, doesn't make it easier.
Vang Vieng Transfer to Luang Prabang Railway Station, Train #C92 Second Class Reserved Seats, Laos Railway by Naluang (Laos Railway by Naluang), Jan 9, 2026
A
Alistair It's a good trip but 2 things stop it being a 5 star score.
One, the station is quite a bit out of town at both ends (over 10km at the Luang Prabang end) so be prepared to pay as much for the train ticket again for tuktuks into town at either end or be prepared for a hot and sweaty walk from Vang Vieng.
Two, you need to be fully registered with the train in advance. Don't just book it on 12Go or other 3rd party app and turn up just before the train is ready to go. Think of it as though you were going to fly from an airport and you need to do the pre check in up front. It's easy enough but you need to go to a restaurant before you get to the station to register your details. I'd recommend you do this the day before if it's not too inconvenient, otherwise at least 90mins before the departure. Bring your passport (or at least a good picture of your passport details page on your phone) and a recent digital picture of yourself, and then they will register your details with the actual train company. Then you can come back to the restaurant on the day 30-45mins before the actual departure to pick up your scanned photo and passport registered train ticket. Then head to the station (5mins from the restaurant). It's nice and modern with aircon and facilities like food and drink and duty free etc. Wait around till you're called forward and then they'll scan your QR code and you can get on the train. It's not Bullet Train or Maglev fast but clean modern and fast enough 180kph. Only takes just over an hour to get between Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang compared to the 7+hrs that a minibus would take! Definitely worth doing just do your homework with the checkin to avoid being caught out on the day. Also note that like with planes you can't take aerosol products on the train so no cans of deodorant etc. Your bags have to go through an airport style scanner before you board and they will confiscate if they find.
Vang Vieng Transfer to Luang Prabang Railway Station, Train #C92 Second Class Reserved Seats, Laos Railway by Naluang (Laos Railway by Naluang), Jan 6, 2026
H
Holger Too much pushing of the people
Vang Vieng Transfer to Luang Prabang Railway Station, Train #C82 First Class Seat, China Railway (中国铁路), Jan 5, 2026
MH
Mathias HDid not get picked up and driver didn’t call. I called and texted with only a reply when it would have been too late for making it. We ended up taking a taxi on our own expense (more then the compensation given).
Vang Vieng Transfer to Luang Prabang Railway Station, Train Second Class Seat, Laos Railway by Family Service, Jan 4, 2026
S
Sweehong this vendor is very good they find alternative seats for us when the original seats were not available v professional
Vang Vieng Transfer to Luang Prabang Railway Station, Train Second Class, Laos Group Tour, Dec 25, 2025
S
Sweehong very good service , offered to help upgrade our seats to first class as out seats are sold out !!! send us confirmation even late at night to ensure we are well informed
Vang Vieng Transfer to Luang Prabang Railway Station, Train Second Class, Laos Group Tour, Dec 24, 2025
SC
Sebastian Ctransfer pick up didnt show up and no message. had to manage myself to get to the train station with time trouble. train ticket was good.
Vang Vieng Transfer to Luang Prabang Railway Station, Train Second Class Seat, Laos Railway by Family Service, Dec 16, 2025
AW
Amber WOur vang Veing transfer never showed up so had to pay to get a tuk tuk to the station hoping we would still make it in tie for our train. To top it off it didn’t even say what time the train was on our tickets (only the time of the transfer that never showed) so we were completely blindsided.
We also didn’t get our confirmation till very shortly before the trip. Contacted 12Go and although they replied quickly said confirmation could take 24 hours but the trip was in 14 hours.
Vang Vieng Transfer to Luang Prabang Railway Station, Train Second Class Seat, Laos Railway by Family Service, Dec 14, 2025
JG
Juliette GI had the reservation confirmed quite early. But I know it’s not the case for one of my friend who had her reservation canceled.
For my trip everything was easy
Vang Vieng Transfer to Luang Prabang Railway Station, Train Second Class, Laos Group Tour, Dec 13, 2025
QB
Quitterie BVery nice, clear and confortable.
Vang Vieng Transfer to Luang Prabang Railway Station, Train #K12 Hard Seat, China Railway (中国铁路), Dec 13, 2025
