Vientiane Train Tickets, Laos - Schedules, Routes & Booking

Timetable

Trains to and from

Popular routes

Facts

Destinations

FAQ

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Countries /

Laos /

Vientiane

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Trains from Vientiane

1Jul

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

9h 34m

18:34

KunmingKunming Nan (South)

Direct

High-speed

D Series D88

from

169 USD

9h 34m, Direct

08:00

VientianeStation

18:34

KunmingKunming Nan (South)

from

169 USD

Direct

High-speed

D Series D88

11:25

VientianeStation

9h 43m

22:08

KunmingStation

Direct

High-speed

D Series D84

from

172 USD

9h 43m, Direct

11:25

VientianeStation

22:08

KunmingStation

from

172 USD

Direct

High-speed

D Series D84

First train

08:00

Last train

11:25

Travel duration

9h 30m

Daily departures

Departure station

Vientiane

Changes

direct

Arrival station

Kunming

Ticket price

from $89

Fastest trip

8h 19m

Longest trip

9h 43m

Trains to Vientiane

Inbound trains reach Vientiane mainly at Vientiane Railway Station on the Laos-China Railway. Trains from Vang Vieng arrive in around 1 hour, while services from Luang Prabang reach Vientiane in about 2 hours on faster C or D category trains. Trains from Muang Xay arrive in around 3 hours, and services from Boten near the China border take roughly 3h30m to 4h. International Laos-China Railway services from Kunming South reach Vientiane in about 10h30m. Cross-border Thai rail services arrive at Khamsavath Station, with trains from Nong Khai taking about 30 minutes and Bangkok services typically taking around 11h to 12h depending on the train.

Popular routes from Vientiane

From Vientiane Railway Station, Laos-China Railway services run north through central and northern Laos. The main domestic corridor links Vientiane with Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, Muang Xay, and Boten, with onward international service to Kunming South in China. These routes use standard-gauge trains operated by Laos-China Railway Company. From Khamsavath Station, State Railway of Thailand services run across the Mekong rail bridge toward Nong Khai and the Thai rail network. This station is the relevant Vientiane departure point for travelers booking rail routes toward Bangkok. Because Vientiane Railway Station and Khamsavath Station are separate, passengers should match the station to the route before booking local transfer.

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 30m

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

Booking Vientiane Train Tickets Online - Options, Tips, and Reservations

Buying Train Tickets Online

Buy train tickets online for Vientiane with Rail Monsters by choosing departure dates, selecting Laos-China Railway or State Railway of Thailand services, and completing an online reservation. Book your tickets for Vientiane train stations including Vientiane Railway Station and Khamsavath Station, depending on whether your route uses the Laos-China Railway or the Thai rail connection.

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 public holidays, and peak winter weekends. Train prices and seat availability vary by route; ticket counters remain available at Vientiane Railway Station and Khamsavath Station. With the Rail Monsters iOS and Android apps, you can book and manage train tickets on mobile.

Types of Train Tickets Available

Vientiane services include regular tickets on Laos-China Railway trains, reserved seats on C and D category services, and sleeper or seat options on selected State Railway of Thailand services to and from Thailand. Cheap tickets and discount tickets may appear on some advance bookings, while international services can have stricter name and passport requirements.

Destinations from Vientiane

Rail service types from Vientiane stations Intercity Laos-China Railway services: C and D category trains from Vientiane Railway Station to Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, Muang Xay, Boten, and Kunming South. Regular domestic services: Laos-China Railway trains on the same northbound corridor, with more intermediate stops depending on the timetable. Cross-border services: State Railway of Thailand trains from Khamsavath Station to Nong Khai and Bangkok via the Thai rail network. Airport services: Vientiane has no airport rail station, so Wattay International Airport transfers require road transport to the relevant rail station.

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 30m

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 Series,K Series,C Series

Vientiane

Laos

1h 1m

Vang Vieng

Laos

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 Series,K Series,C Series

Vientiane

Laos

3h 51m

Boten

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 Series,K Series,C Series

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 Train Travel FAQ and Tips

What is the main train route from Vientiane?

The main domestic route from Vientiane is the Laos-China Railway service to Luang Prabang, taking around 2 hours on faster C or D category trains from Vientiane Railway Station. Laos-China Railway Company operates this standard-gauge route through Vang Vieng and the central mountains. It is the key intercity rail link for travelers moving between the capital and northern Laos.

How do I buy train tickets to and from Vientiane?

Book train tickets to and from Vientiane on Rail Monsters by entering your travel date, selecting Vientiane Railway Station or Khamsavath Station, and choosing the available Laos-China Railway or State Railway of Thailand service. Rail Monsters accepts bookings 6 to 12 months ahead of travel for Vientiane services. Passenger names and passport details should match the travel document used at boarding.

Do high-speed or intercity trains serve Vientiane?

Yes. Vientiane is served by the Laos-China Railway, a modern standard-gauge line using C and D category trains for faster intercity travel within Laos and onward to China. These trains depart from Vientiane Railway Station. Khamsavath Station serves conventional meter-gauge international trains operated by State Railway of Thailand, including services connected with Nong Khai and Bangkok.

What are the main train stations in Vientiane?

Vientiane Railway Station is the main Laos-China Railway station and the city's primary terminal for trains north to Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, Boten, and China. Khamsavath Station is the cross-border station for Thai rail services across the Mekong. The two stations are separate, so travelers should confirm the station name on the ticket before arranging local transfer.

Should I reserve seats on trains from Vientiane?

Seat reservations are strongly recommended on Laos-China Railway services from Vientiane because C and D category trains use assigned seating and popular departures can sell out. State Railway of Thailand services from Khamsavath may offer reserved seats or sleeping berths, depending on the train. For international trips, allow time for document checks and keep the same passport used during booking.

What are the main train connections to and from Vientiane?

Vientiane connects with Vang Vieng in around 1 hour, Luang Prabang in around 2 hours, Muang Xay in around 3 hours, and Boten in roughly 3h30m to 4h on Laos-China Railway services. International trains link Vientiane with Kunming South in about 10h30m. Khamsavath Station connects with Nong Khai in about 30m and Bangkok in roughly 11h to 12h on Thai rail services.

Is there an airport rail connection in Vientiane?

Vientiane does not have a direct airport rail link to Wattay International Airport. Travelers using trains should plan a road transfer between the airport and either Vientiane Railway Station for Laos-China Railway services or Khamsavath Station for Thailand-bound trains. For airport arrivals, check the exact station name on the Rail Monsters ticket before choosing transfer transport.

Can I buy Vientiane train tickets at the last minute?

Last-minute Vientiane train tickets may be available, but assigned seats on Laos-China Railway services and berths on Thailand trains can sell out during Lao New Year, Chinese New Year, Thai holidays, and winter weekends. Rail Monsters accepts Vientiane train bookings 6 to 12 months ahead of travel, so early booking is recommended for cross-border trips and peak travel dates.

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