How do you get to Vientiane?
Getting There9.3/10Easier to reach than about 90% of cities
- Main airport
- Wattay International Airport (VTE)
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: vientianeairport.com, geckoroutes.com
Good to know
Good to Know
- Two separate rail stations exist in Vientiane: Khamsavath (Thailand connection, 10 km east) and Vientiane Railway Station (China-Laos railway, 20 km north). They are not connected—book tickets for the correct destination.
- Airport shuttle bus can experience long waits (over 2 hours between departures at peak times); official taxi counter or ride-hailing apps are more time-efficient alternatives.
- China-Laos Railway tickets sell out quickly; book as soon as sales open (3 days in advance) or use pre-booking services.
- Airport exchange rates are notoriously poor; change only a small amount at Wattay and exchange the bulk of your money in the city.
- Bus scheduling can be loose; budget extra time and arrive early for departures.
- Many local buses and taxis prefer or require Lao Kip; carry adequate local currency to avoid delays.
- Thailand rail tickets (Bangkok–Udon Thani services) can be booked up to 180 days in advance from Thai stations, providing more flexibility than Laos domestic bookings.
Airport
- Name
- Wattay International Airport (VTE)
- Location
- Approximately 3–8.5 km west of city center
Airlines
- Lao Airlines
- AirAsia
- China Eastern Airlines
- China Southern Airlines
- Thai Airways
- Vietnam Airlines
Ground Transport Options
Airport Shuttle Bus
- Cost
- LAK 40,000
- Frequency
- Twice per hour, 7 days a week, 8:05am–10:20pm
- Description
- Route No. 44, runs twice per hour, departs from International Arrivals exit. Stops at Central Bus Station and several hotels. Journey ~20–35 minutes.
Airport Taxi (Fixed-Rate)
- Sedan Cost
- LAK 57,000
- Minivan Cost
- LAK 66,000
- Notes
- Journey ~15 minutes. Available 24/7.
- Description
- Pre-paid coupon from taxi counter in arrivals hall. Sedan or minivan available.
Ride-Hailing App Taxi
- Cost
- LAK 70,000
- Notes
- Grab and Uber do not operate in Laos.
- Description
- Loca or inDrive apps available in Vientiane
Private Transfer Pre-Booking
- Cost 3 Seater
- LAK 684,000
- Cost Per Person Shared
- LAK 228,000
- Description
- Online platforms (Klook, BookAway, Welcome Pickups) offer pre-arranged private sedan/minivan transfers
Stations
Central Bus Station (Talat Sao)
- Serves
- Airport shuttle bus terminus; local buses to Talat Sao Market, Friendship Bridge, Buddha Park.
- Location
- City center
Northern Bus Terminal
- Serves
- Vang Vieng, Phonsavanh, Luang Prabang, Oudom Xay, Bokeo, and northern Laos
- Location
- Northwest of central town
Southern Bus Terminal
- Serves
- Paksan, Thakhet, Savannakhet, Pakse, and southern Laos destinations; international buses to Vietnam
- Location
- Northeast of central town area
Key Routes
Vientiane to Hanoi, Hue, Phnom Penh, Nong Khai, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani
Vientiane to Vang Vieng
- Notes
- Minivans depart when full; ~150,000 LAK via expressway, ~1.5 hours journey
Day Trip Access
Nearest Highlights
Friendship Bridge (Thai Border)
- Transport
- Bus Route 14 from Talat Sao Market to Friendship Bridge
- Distance From Center
- ~24 km
Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan)
- Transport
- Bus Route 14 from Talat Sao Market
- Distance From Center
- ~25 km southeast
- Note
- Accessible as day trip or short excursion
Vang Vieng
- Cost
- LAK 150,000
- Distance
- ~150 km north
- Transport
- Minivans from Northern Bus Terminal, ~1.5 hours
Luang Prabang
- Distance
- ~414 km north
- Transport
- Express train from Vientiane Railway Station (~2 hours) or bus from Northern Bus Terminal (~10 hours traditional route)
- Train Note
- China-Laos Railway offers fastest access
China Connection
- Route
- Kunming (China) to Vientiane via Luang Prabang
- Ticket Booking
- Domestic tickets sold max 3 days in advance; online via LCR Ticket App (Laos), 12306.cn (China), or at ticket offices. Cash or OnePay app payment. No international card payments at station; extra 20,000 LAK fee for app purchases.
- Access To Station
- Ride-hailing 150,000–250,000 LAK ($7–12 USD) from city center, 30–45 minutes; bus Route 28 from Central Bus Station ~$1 USD, 60–75 minutes.
Trains
D887/888 (Kunming–Vientiane)
- Frequency
- Daily
- Journey Time
- ~10–11 hours Kunming to Vientiane (with stops)
- Description
- High-speed bullet train, 160 km/h, air-conditioned with modern amenities.
Express & Standard Services
- Frequency
- 5 scheduled trains each direction daily
- Description
- Mix of 4 speed trains (CXX) and 1 ordinary train (KXX) daily in each direction on the Boten–Vientiane route. Vientiane–Luang Prabang reduced to ~2 hours on express service.
Stations
- Vientiane Station
- Vientiane Railway Station (also Vientiane South Cargo Station), located in Xaythany District, ~20 km north of city center. Opened December 2021.
- Note
- Not connected by rail to Khamsavath Station.
Thailand Connection
- Route
- Bangkok to Vientiane
- Ticket Booking
- Up to 180 days in advance at any Thai station; tickets can be purchased at Vientiane Center Mall.
- Access To Station
- Ride-hailing (Loca/inDrive) costs ~150,000–250,000 LAK ($7–12 USD) from riverside tourist district; bus Route 28 from Central Bus Station ~$1 USD but takes 60–75 minutes.
Trains
Rapid Train 133/134
- Frequency
- Daily
- Journey Time
- ~13–15 hours
- Description
- Direct overnight Bangkok–Vientiane service with 2nd-class air-con sleeper berths, 2nd-class air-con seats, and 3rd-class non-air-con seats.
Rapid Train 147/148
- Frequency
- Daily
- Description
- Daytime service from Udon Thani to Vientiane with 2nd-class air-con and 3rd-class non-air-con seating.
Stations
- Vientiane Station
- Khamsavath Station (Khamsavath Railway Station), opened July 2024, connects to Thailand's metre-gauge network. Located ~10 km east of city center.
- Note
- Not connected by rail to the China-Laos railway station.
Ferry
- Mekong River
- No documented public river transport options from Vientiane on the Mekong River to other destinations. The Mekong borders Thailand across the Friendship Bridge.
Description
Vientiane has three bus stations serving different regions.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Vientiane
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.