Train Tickets to and from Vientiane

Timetable

Trains to and from

Popular routes

Facts

Destinations

FAQ

Top routes

Countries /

Laos /

Vientiane

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Trains to and from Vientiane

11Jun

Seats

Vientiane

Kunming

Each ticket has information about

Departure Time

Travel time

Arrival Time

Changes

Brand name / Train type

Ticket price

Morning trains

08:00

VientianeStation

8h 34m

17:34

KunmingKunming Nan (South)

Direct

D 88

from

9260 USD

8h 34m, Direct

08:00

VientianeStation

17:34

KunmingKunming Nan (South)

from

9260 USD

Direct

D 88

11:25

VientianeStation

8h 43m

21:08

KunmingStation

Direct

D 84

from

9423 USD

8h 43m, Direct

11:25

VientianeStation

21:08

KunmingStation

from

9423 USD

Direct

D 84

First train

08:00

Last train

11:25

Travel duration

9h 32m

Daily departures

Departure station

Vientiane

Changes

direct

Arrival station

Kunming

Ticket price

from $83

Fastest trip

9h 19m

Longest trip

9h 43m

Trains to and from Vientiane

Inbound Laos-China Railway services reach Vientiane at Vientiane Station. Trains from Vang Vieng arrive in around 1h, while services from Luang Prabang reach Vientiane in about 2h. Trains from Oudomxay arrive in roughly 2h40m, and services from Boten near the China border take around 3h30m to 4h. International services from Kunming South reach Vientiane in around 10h, depending on border procedures and the scheduled train. Thailand-linked services arrive at Khamsavath Station, with trains from Nong Khai taking under 1h and long-distance services from Bangkok taking roughly 11h.

Popular routes from Vientiane

From Vientiane Station, Laos-China Railway services run north through the main rail corridor of Laos. The route serves Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, and Boten, with international services continuing toward Kunming South in China. C-category electric multiple-unit trains provide the faster services, while K-category trains cover additional stopping patterns on the same line. From Khamsavath Station, Thailand-linked rail services run south across the Mekong rail connection toward Nong Khai and onward through the State Railway of Thailand network. This station is the correct choice for passengers booking Vientiane to Bangkok rail travel, while Vientiane Station is used for Laos-China Railway destinations.

Vientiane

Vientiane is the capital of Laos, set along the Mekong River near the Thai border. Vientiane Railway Station is northeast of the city center and is the main Lao terminal for Laos-China Railway long-distance services.

Vientiane

Station

9h 32m

Kunming

Kunming is the capital of Yunnan province and a major rail hub for southwest China. The Vientiane train arrives at Kunming South Railway Station, the city's high-speed rail terminal with metro connections toward central Kunming.

Kunming

Kunming Nan (South)

Songming

Shilinxi

Xiaoxinjie

Yanglin

Book Train Tickets to and from Vientiane Online - Options, Tips, and Reservations

Buying Train Tickets Online

Buy train tickets online for Vientiane with Rail Monsters by selecting departure dates, comparing Laos-China Railway or State Railway of Thailand services, and completing an online reservation. Book your tickets for Vientiane train stations including Vientiane Station and Khamsavath Station, depending on whether the route runs north through Laos or south toward Thailand.

Types of Train Tickets Available

Vientiane services include regular tickets on Laos-China Railway trains, reserved seats on faster C-category services, and sleeper or seat options on selected Thailand-linked services where available. Cheap tickets and discount tickets can appear on advance bookings to and from Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Boten, Nong Khai, and Bangkok.

Tips for Online Reservations

Online reservation services through Rail Monsters accept Vientiane train bookings 6 to 12 months ahead of travel, useful for Lao New Year, Chinese New Year, Thai holiday periods, and peak summer travel. Train prices and seat availability vary by service type; ticket counters operate at major Vientiane stations. With the Rail Monsters iOS and Android apps, you can book and manage train tickets on mobile.

Destinations from Vientiane

Rail services from Vientiane stations Laos-China Railway services: C-category and K-category trains from Vientiane Station serve Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Boten, and Kunming South. Domestic regional services: stopping trains on the Laos-China Railway connect Vientiane with smaller stations along the northbound corridor. Cross-border services: Khamsavath Station handles trains linked with Nong Khai and Bangkok on the Thai rail network. Airport services: Vientiane has no airport rail service, so Wattay International Airport transfers are by road.

Vientiane to Kunming

Travel from Vientiane to Kunming by Laos-China Railway and visit Green Lake, Yuantong Temple, and the Dianchi Lake area.

Frequency

3 times per day

Vientiane

Laos

9h 32m

Kunming

China

Vientiane to Vang Vieng

Travel from Vientiane to Vang Vieng by Laos-China Railway for the Nam Song riverfront, limestone karsts, and Tham Chang Cave.

Frequency

6 times per day

Popular Trains

D-class,K-class,C-Class

Vientiane

Laos

1h 1m

Vang Vieng

Laos

Vientiane to Luang Prabang

Travel from Vientiane to Luang Prabang by train for the old town, Mount Phousi, and Kuang Si Waterfall.

Frequency

6 times per day

Popular Trains

D-class,K-class,C-Class

Vientiane

Laos

2h 8m

Luang Prabang

Laos

Vientiane to Mohan

Travel from Vientiane to Mohan by Laos-China Railway for access to Boten, Mohan port, and onward trains into Yunnan.

Frequency

2 times per day

Vientiane

Laos

4h 15m

Mohan

China

Vientiane to Boten

Travel from Vientiane to Boten by Laos-China Railway for the border area, the Boten SEZ, and onward links toward Mohan.

Frequency

4 times per day

Popular Trains

D-class,K-class,C-Class

Vientiane

Laos

3h 52m

Boten

Laos

Train Travel to and from Vientiane FAQ and Tips

What is the main train route from Vientiane?

The main domestic train route from Vientiane is the Laos-China Railway service to Luang Prabang, taking around 2h by C-category electric multiple-unit train from Vientiane Station. Laos-China Railway Company operates this route as part of the northbound corridor through Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, and Boten, with onward international services toward Kunming South in China.

How do I buy train tickets to and from Vientiane?

Book train tickets to and from Vientiane at Rail Monsters by entering your travel date, selecting Vientiane Station or Khamsavath Station, and choosing the available Laos-China Railway or Thailand-linked service. Rail Monsters accepts bookings 6 to 12 months ahead of travel for Vientiane services, which helps during Lao New Year, Chinese New Year, and Thai holiday periods. Booking confirmation is sent by email.

Do high-speed trains serve Vientiane?

Yes. Vientiane Station is served by the Laos-China Railway, which uses electric multiple-unit trains on a modern standard-gauge line through Laos. These services are often described as high-speed or semi-high-speed within Laos. Conventional K-category trains also operate on the same corridor. Khamsavath Station is separate and handles Thailand-linked services rather than Laos-China Railway high-speed services.

What are the main train stations in Vientiane?

Vientiane has two main passenger stations. Vientiane Station is the Laos-China Railway terminal for trains toward Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, Boten, and China. Khamsavath Station, also known as Vientiane-Tai Station, handles cross-border services connected with Nong Khai and Bangkok in Thailand. The stations are not the same, so travelers should verify the departure station before arranging city transfers.

Should I reserve seats on trains from Vientiane?

Seat reservations are used on Laos-China Railway services from Vientiane, especially on C-category trains where tickets are issued for a specific train and seat. Thailand-linked trains from Khamsavath may offer reserved seats or sleepers depending on the service. Advance booking is recommended for Vientiane to Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, and Bangkok routes during public holidays and weekend travel periods.

What are the main train connections to and from Vientiane?

Vientiane connects with Vang Vieng in around 1h, Luang Prabang in around 2h, Oudomxay in about 2h40m, and Boten near the China border in roughly 3h30m to 4h by Laos-China Railway services. International trains link Vientiane with Kunming South in around 10h. Cross-border rail services via Khamsavath link Vientiane with Nong Khai in under 1h and Bangkok in roughly 11h.

Is there an airport train in Vientiane?

Vientiane does not have an airport rail link to Wattay International Airport. Passengers traveling between the airport and Vientiane Station or Khamsavath Station need a road transfer by taxi, private car, or local transport. For rail travel, choose Vientiane Station for Laos-China Railway services and Khamsavath Station for Thailand-linked trains, then plan the airport transfer separately before departure.

Can I buy Vientiane train tickets at the last minute?

Last-minute Vientiane tickets can be limited on Laos-China Railway services, especially for Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang departures on weekends and holidays. Cross-border trains to Thailand can also fill during Lao New Year, Chinese New Year, Songkran, and year-end travel. Rail Monsters accepts Vientiane train bookings 6 to 12 months ahead of travel, so early booking is useful for popular dates.

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