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Vientiane is the laid-back capital of Laos, sitting on the Mekong. It's a low-rise city of riverside restaurants, gilded stupas and French-era coffee shops. The cheapest way to get from Vang Vieng to Vientiane is the bus at $12 (264,000 LAK). A shared minivan costs a little more at $13 (278,000 LAK) and does the run in 1h 45m - 2h 30m. The train and a private transfer both cost more again.
Distance from Vang Vieng to Vientiane
Vang Vieng and Vientiane are about 107 km (66 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 128 km by road. Depending on the option, the trip takes between 1h 45m and 14h 30m.
4 ways to travel from Vang Vieng to Vientiane
There are four ways to travel from Vang Vieng to Vientiane. You can choose between the shared minivan, bus, train, and private transport. The journey takes 1h 45m–2h 30m and the quickest way is by shared minivan. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $12 (264,000 LAK).
incl. transfers — see itinerary
- How to get to Vang Vieng Railway Station10m
- Train from Vang Vieng to Vientiane2h 45m
- Vientiane Railway Station to Vientiane City Centre1h
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Vang Vieng to Vientiane by Shared Minivan
With the new Vientiane–Boten Expressway open, travelling from Vang Vieng to Vientiane is now much quicker. What used to take around 4 hours by minivan or bus now only takes 2–3 hours.
You can book a minivan in advance through BookAway, with prices starting from $13 (278,000 LAK). Some companies include free hotel pickup and/or drop-off, so you won’t need to deal with transport to and from bus terminals.
Minivan tickets at the bus terminal in Vientiane are cheaper, about $5 (110,000 LAK). But keep in mind that the terminal is quite far from the city centre. Once you factor in taxi costs, booking a minivan that picks you up from your hotel may be more cost-effective.
One thing to note: minivans are less spacious than buses. If you’re travelling with bulky luggage or large backpacks, you might be more comfortable choosing a bus instead.
Departure and arrival station
If they're not offering hotel pickup, minivans depart from their own headquarters in central Vang Vieng.
In Vientiane, you will be dropped off at your chosen spot — may that be your hotel at the city centre or straight to Wattay International Airport.
Shared Minivan schedule from Vang Vieng to Vientiane
Shared Minivan tickets are available on Bookaway.
Vang Vieng to Vientiane by Bus
Buses are a great alternative to minivans if you want extra legroom without stretching your budget.
Just make sure to check which route your bus takes. Some companies still avoid the Vientiane–Boten Expressway and use the older, toll-free road instead.
Travel time by bus from Vang Vieng to Vientiane is 2-3 hours via the expressway and 4 hours via the toll-free route.
Ticket prices start from $12 (264,000 LAK).
Departure and arrival stations
Most buses depart from their respective headquarters in Vang Vieng and park at their office in Vientiane. Check these locations beforehand to avoid any surprises.
Bus schedule from Vang Vieng to Vientiane
Bus tickets are available on Bookaway.
Booking Tip
Vang Vieng to Vientiane by Train
The train is a comfortable way to travel from Vang Vieng to Vientiane.
Travel time for the train ride itself is only about an hour. But the railway station in Vientiane is quite far from the city, so you’ll need extra time to get to your hotel.
When you include the transfers to and from the train stations, the travel time is about 2 hours. Combined fares start from $18 (404,000 LAK).
Step 1: How to get to Vang Vieng Railway Station
Vang Vieng Railway Station is about 4 km away from the town centre. The easiest way to get there is by tuk-tuk, which costs around $1.80 (40,000 LAK) per person.
The short journey from Vang Vieng city centre to the train station takes just about 10 minutes.
IMPORTANT: Vang Vieng Train Station operates like an airport, with security checks before boarding. Aerosols and sharp items will be confiscated, and screening can take time. It's best to arrive 30–60 minutes before departure to avoid stress.
Step 2: Train from Vang Vieng to Vientiane
Laos–China Railway (LCR) runs 5–6 daily trains from Vang Vieng to Vientiane.
The train ride itself is quick — just around 50 minutes. You might see longer travel times listed, though. That’s because some providers include hotel pickup in Vientiane, which adds extra time to the journey.
Train tickets to Vientiane from Vang Vieng start from $15 (333,000 LAK) when you book through BookAway. It’s a handy option if you want to secure your seat weeks in advance, especially during busy travel periods.
Step tickets are available on Bookaway.
Booking Tip
Step 3: Vientiane Railway Station to Vientiane City Centre
Vientiane Railway Station is about 13 km from the city centre. To reach your hotel, you can take a bus or a taxi.
Buses are cheaper with ticket prices from $1.40 (30,000 LAK). They take about an hour to reach Talat Sao Bus Station in the centre. Departures are fixed, though, so check the schedule as soon as you arrive to make sure you don't miss it. Otherwise, you might have to wait awhile for the next bus.
Taxis are faster, with a travel time of around 40 minutes. Fares start from $5.90 (130,000 LAK) when you book with local taxi-hailing apps like Loca and InDrive.
There are plenty of taxis waiting at the railway station, but they're known for overcharging.
Vang Vieng to Vientiane by Private Transport
A private transfer from Vang Vieng to Vientiane is a convenient option when travelling with a group or bulky luggage. The journey takes 2h 30m, and you’ll be dropped off right at your accommodation — no need to worry about extra transfers.
Prices for private transfer start at $135 (3,022,000 LAK) for a 5-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about $27 (604,000 LAK) each.
Private Transport tickets are available on Bookaway.
Our favourite places to stay in Vientiane
Here are our favourite places to stay in Vientiane for every budget.
Patuxay Place
Patuxay Place is great value for money. The rooms are spacious, modern and decorated to a high standard. The hotel has thought of every detail, including free drinking water on every floor of the hotel.
The staff want to make sure you have the best stay possible, offering a helping hand whenever you need it. They're full of recommendations too! The hotel is situated in a great location in Vientiane.
- Spacious and modern rooms
- Free drinking water
- Amazing staff
- Perfect location
Private rooms start from $29 per night.
S 2 Modern Boutique Hotel
This hotel is beautiful! S 2 Modern Boutique Hotel boasts a modern and simple decor with pops of colour. Every corner of this hotel is aesthetic. There's also an outdoor swimming pool, onsite gym and delicious restaurant. There's even a barista.
It's good to know that it isn't located directly in the city centre, so you'll need to grab a taxi to visit popular attractions. Don't worry though, the friendly and helpful staff are always on hand to help you get somewhere.
- Beautiful hotel
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Onsite gym
- Delicious restaurant
King rooms start from $39 per night.
Eastin Hotel Vientiane
If you want to splash the cash a little, Eastin Hotel is the place to do it. Overlooking the Mekong River, it's hard to find a better view to wake up to. The hotel was built recently meaning that everything is fresh, clean and very modern.
The hotel is located 10 minutes outside of the city, but there's a courtesy car to take you there and back. The service here will make your stay an unforgettable one.
- Stunning river views
- Modern and clean hotel
- Recently built
- Courtesy car to city centre
Private rooms start from $66 per night.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Vientiane?
Vientiane is Laos’ fascinating capital city sitting on the banks of the Mekong River. A former French trading post, the city has kept many of its historical influences and original architecture undamaged.
True, there is not much to do in this sleepy city — and that’s exactly what sets Vientiane apart from other capital cities in Southeast Asia. It is a hub for temples, markets, spas and cafes. Our favourite spot is the riverside, where you can relax with a cold Beer Lao and just watch the sunset over the Mekong.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Vang Vieng to Vientiane, roughly 107 kilometres (66 miles) apart. In all, there are 4 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $12 (264,000 LAK). The quickest trip takes 1h 45m.
Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Vang Vieng to Vientiane?
The distance from Vang Vieng to Vientiane is 107 kilometres (66 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Vang Vieng to Vientiane?
Journey times from Vang Vieng to Vientiane overlap: shared minivan 1h 45m - 2h 30m, bus 2h - 14h 30m, train 2h - 3h 55m, private transport 2h 30m. Depending on the departure, no single option is always the fastest.
What is the cheapest way to get from Vang Vieng to Vientiane?
The cheapest way to get from Vang Vieng to Vientiane is by bus with ticket costs starting from 264,000 LAK.
About the Authors
Founder & Trip Planning Expert
Based in Bali, Maarten's passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you'll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Senior Travel Writer
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she's not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines. Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she'll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
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