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Vang Vieng is a small town ringed by limestone karst peaks. Travellers come to tube down the Nam Song river and swim in the lagoons. The cheapest way to get from Vientiane to Vang Vieng is the minivan at $10 (231,000 LAK). A private transfer takes 2h 30m. The bus and the train both cost a bit more than the minivan.
Distance from Vientiane to Vang Vieng
Vientiane and Vang Vieng 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 50m and 4h 30m.
4 ways to travel from Vientiane to Vang Vieng
There are four ways to travel from Vientiane to Vang Vieng. You can choose between the minivan, bus, train, and private transport. The journey takes 1h 50m–2h 30m and the quickest way is by minivan. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by minivan with tickets starting at $10 (231,000 LAK).
incl. transfers — see itinerary
- Vientiane City Centre→Vientiane Railway Station1h
- Vientiane→Vang Vieng3h 20m
- Vang Vieng Railway Station→Vang Vieng City Centre10m
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1Vientiane to Vang Vieng by Minivan
With the opening of the new Vientiane-Boten Expressway, travel time by minivan and bus from Vientiane to Vang Vieng has been significantly reduced from 4 hours to 2-3 hours.
You can book a minivan in advance via BookAway, with rates from $10 (231,000 LAK). The advantage of this is that you can pick a company that offers free hotel pickup and drop-off, no need to find your way to and from transport terminals.
Minivan tickets are cheaper when you buy them directly at the bus terminal in Vientiane — around $5 (110,000 LAK). But it's quite far from the city centre. When you add the taxi cost, it will be more cost-effective to book a minivan that picks you up from your hotel.
Keep in mind that minivans aren’t as spacious as buses. It's not a good choice if you're carrying bulky luggage.
Departure and arrival station
If they're not offering hotel pickup, minivans depart from their own headquarters in central Vientiane or at the Northern Bus Stop, some 10 km north of the city.
They park at Vang Vieng Bus Terminal in the city centre or drop you off directly at your accommodation.
Minivan schedule from Vientiane to Vang Vieng
Minivan tickets are available on Bookaway.
Vientiane to Vang Vieng by Bus
Buses offer a good and cheap alternative to minivans if you're looking for a ride with good legroom.
Be careful when picking your bus, though. Some companies still take the toll-free route, not the Vientiane-Boten Expressway. Travel time is 2-4h, depending on which bus you take.
Bus fares from Vientiane to Vang Vieng start from $12 (264,000 LAK).
Departure and arrival station
Buses pick up passengers from various areas in Vientiane city centre, but the main departure point is at the Northern Bus Terminal, some 10 km northwest of central Vientiane. You can get there by taxi for around $4.50 (100,000 LAK) if you book through Loca or InDrive.
Most buses park at Vang Vieng North Bus Terminal in the city centre, but some go straight to their own headquarters in the city.
Bus schedule from Vientiane to Vang Vieng
Bus tickets are available on Bookaway.
Vientiane to Vang Vieng by Train
The train is a comfortable and quick way to travel from Vientiane to Vang Vieng. The ride itself takes only about an hour, making it the fastest option on paper.
But there’s a catch. Vientiane Railway Station sits quite far from the city centre, so you’ll need extra time to get there.
When you factor in the transfers to and from the train stations, the total travel time comes to around 2 hours.
Combined ticket prices start from $18 (396,000 LAK).
Step 1: How to get to Vientiane Railway Station
Vientiane Railway Station sits some 15 km northeast of Vientiane city centre. There are 2 ways you can get there: by bus for $1.40 (30,000 LAK) and by taxi with rates from $5.90 (130,000 LAK).
The bus is the cheaper option, but it does take longer. On top of that, bus departures follow fixed schedules, so you might end up waiting at the terminal even if you arrive early.
Buses depart from Talat Sao Bus Station in Vientiane city centre and arrive at Vientiane Railway Station after about an hour.
Alternatively, you can take a taxi, which gets you there in about 40 minutes. We recommend booking through local apps like Loca or InDrive. You’ll see the fare upfront, so there’s no need to worry about being overcharged.
IMPORTANT: Vientiane 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 Vientiane to Vang Vieng
Laos-China Railway (LCR) operates at least 5 trips daily from Vientiane to Vang Vieng.
The train journey takes just around 50 minutes. But some tour companies include pickup in Vientiane, and that's why you will see extended travel times in the schedule we provided.
Train ticket prices to Vang Vieng from Vientiane start from $15 (324,000 LAK) when you book with BookAway, which offers LCR train tickets weeks in advance.
Step tickets are available on Bookaway.
Booking Tip
Step 3: Vang Vieng Railway Station to Vang Vieng City Centre
Vang Vieng Railway Station is about 4 km away from the town centre. Once you arrive, you’ll find tuk-tuks waiting outside to take you into town.
A tuk-tuk ride to Vang Vieng city centre usually costs around $1.80 (40,000 LAK) per person and takes about 10 minutes.
Vientiane to Vang Vieng by Private Transport
A private transfer from Vientiane to Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng
Here are our favourite places to stay in Vang Vieng for every budget.
Vang Vieng Diamond Resort
It's not easy to find a resort for $23 a night, so when you find one like Vang Vieng Diamond Resort, you should snap it up! This place has a huge outdoor swimming pool, an onsite restaurant that serves a range of cuisines and nice areas to relax in.
The rooms are clean and spacious, offering great views of the mountain and surrounding areas. The resort is slightly out from the city centre, adding a bit of piece to your stay in Vang Vieng.
- Great value for money
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Onsite restaurant
- Mountain views
Private rooms start from $23 per night.
Vang Vieng Champa Hotel
Vang Vieng Champa Hotel recently opened, so everything feels clean and modern. Plus, they're cleaned every day with fresh water provided every day. The host, Ben, goes out of his way to make sure you have a fabulous stay. He's so incredible, many people have ended up extending their stay.
He wants to make you feel at home which includes providing a free breakfast every morning! The location is great, within walking distance of most attractions.
- Modern and clean
- Amazing host
- Free water
- Free delicious breakfast
Private rooms start from $25 per night.
Sunset Nam Ngum Resort
Sunset Nam Ngum Resort is situated 50 minutes south of Vang Vieng, but it offers a unique and unforgettable stay. You'll be staying on one of the islets in Nam Ngum Reservoir, surrounded by water.
The place has just been renovated offering stunning and modern rooms that overlook the water. This is the perfect escape from the world. And don't worry about the distance to Vang Vieng, the resort offers a free shuttle.
- Unique stay
- Surrounded by water
- Modern and luxury rooms
- Free shuttle to Vang Vieng
King rooms start from $40 per night.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Vang Vieng?
Vang Vieng is a small Laotian town set in the midst of tranquil cliffs and rich green rice fields, just like a scene from an Asian painting. Formerly a party destination, the picturesque town reinvented itself to become Laos' adventure capital.
Adrenaline-hungry travellers can enjoy many exciting activities in Vang Vieng. From rock climbing and caving to hiking and river tubing. When you want to relax, take a dip in the famous Blue Lagoons or just ride a motorbike across Vang Vieng's rugged roads and lush green fields.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Vientiane to Vang Vieng, roughly 107 kilometres (66 miles) apart. In all, there are 4 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $10 (231,000 LAK). The quickest trip takes 1h 50m.
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 Vientiane to Vang Vieng?
The distance from Vientiane to Vang Vieng is 107 kilometres (66 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Vientiane to Vang Vieng?
Journey times from Vientiane to Vang Vieng overlap: minivan 1h 50m - 3h, bus 2-4h, train 2h - 4h 30m, private transport 2h 30m. Depending on the departure, no single option is always the fastest.
What is the cheapest way to get from Vientiane to Vang Vieng?
The cheapest way to get from Vientiane to Vang Vieng is by minivan with ticket costs starting from 231,000 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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