Vientiane's main transport hubs include Wattay International Airport (VTE) for air travel, the Central, Northern, and Southern Bus Stations for bus services across Laos and to neighboring countries, and Vientiane South Railway Station for train connections.
By Air (Wattay International Airport - VTE):
Flights connect Vientiane directly with major cities in Thailand (e.g., Bangkok, from $87-$140 one-way, 1-1.5 hours) and Vietnam (e.g., Hanoi, from 100-200 euros, 1 hour).
Direct flights from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, were ceased by Lao Airlines in June 2024; connecting flights are available, with one-way fares starting around $137.
From within Laos, direct flights operate from locations like Luang Prabang and Pakse.
International flights from further afield, such as the US or UK, typically involve layovers in major Asian hubs, with one-way fares ranging from approximately $391-$719 from the US and from £375 from the UK.
From Wattay International Airport to the city center (8 km): Taxis cost about 58,000 LAK (~$7 USD / €14.80) and take 15-20 minutes. The public Airport Shuttle Bus (Line 44) costs 15,000-40,000 LAK (€1.75 / ~$1.70 USD) and takes 20-30 minutes to the Central Bus Station, though wait times can be long. Ride-hailing apps like Loca are also available.
By Train:
China-Laos Railway (Vientiane South Railway Station):: This railway connects Vientiane with Kunming, China (approximately 7-10 hours). Within Laos, trains connect Vientiane to destinations like Luang Prabang, taking about 2 hours 34 minutes and costing $27-$39.
From Thailand:: Overnight trains from Bangkok to Nong Khai take 10-11.5 hours and cost 200-1,500 THB. From Nong Khai, a local train crosses to Thanaleng station (20 km from Vientiane) in 15 minutes for 20 THB, or shuttle buses are available across the Friendship Bridge.
From Vientiane South Railway Station to the city: City bus 12 connects to the Central Bus Station in about an hour for 20,000 kip.
By Bus:
Domestic:: Buses connect Vientiane's Northern and Southern Bus Stations to various cities across Laos. For instance, a minivan from Vang Vieng to Vientiane can take 1.5-5.5 hours and cost $10-$20.
From Thailand:: Direct overnight buses from Bangkok to Vientiane take around 11 hours and cost about 1,000 THB (approximately $30). Indirect options via Nong Khai are cheaper (500-600 THB) but require a transfer at the border.
From Vietnam:: Direct sleeper buses from Hanoi to Vientiane are available, with journeys lasting 20-27 hours and costing $50-$60 (50-60 euros). Longer bus routes also connect from cities like Hue/Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, often involving transfers.
From Cambodia:: There are no direct bus services. Journeys typically involve multiple transfers via other countries like Thailand or through Pakse, taking around 32-33 hours and costing $45-$120.
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