Getting here
Vientiane to Vang Vieng by Train: A Practical Guide
How to take the Laos–China Railway from Vientiane to Vang Vieng, including buying tickets, security checks and getting from the station into town.
The fastest way from Vientiane to Vang Vieng is the Laos–China Railway. The ride itself takes about an hour, far quicker than the road, and the views of the countryside and mountains are a good start to any trip.
The journey at a glance
- Time on the train: about an hour, between roughly 50 and 80 minutes depending on the service.
- Door to door: allow around three hours, including getting to the station, security checks and the ride into town. Both stations sit outside the town centres.
- Price: an economy seat costs about the same as a bus ticket. Prices change, so check when you book.
Buying tickets
Tickets go on sale about a week before travel, and popular trains sell out, especially at weekends and on public holidays. Book as soon as your dates are fixed.
You have three options:
- The official LCR Ticket app. Recent travellers report that it accepts international cards and gives you a QR code to scan at the gate.
- The station ticket office. The cheapest option, but trains may already be full by the time you arrive.
- Agents and booking websites. Convenient, but expect to pay noticeably more than the station price.
Tickets are issued in your name, so keep your passport handy when you buy and when you travel.
At the station
Security checks are thorough, so arrive early; an hour before departure is a safe margin. Keep your luggage simple and easy to open, and keep your ticket and passport in your hand as you go through.
Arriving in Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng’s station is about 4 km from the town centre. Tuk-tuks wait outside for each train, and the ride into town takes around ten minutes. At the time of writing, the fare was about 40,000 kip per person. Agree on the price before you get in.
Coming for Dragon’s Glow?
If you are coming up for the evening show, take a morning or early-afternoon train. That leaves time to check in, rest and enjoy the sunset before dinner.
Planning a day trip? Check the time of the last train back to Vientiane before you book. If it leaves before the show ends, stay the night; Vang Vieng is at its best after dark.
Reserve your table and tell us your hotel, and we will help with directions.
