THE SHORT VERSION
Luang Prabang to Vientiane at a glance.
- From
- Luang Prabang ຫຼວງພະບາງ
- To
- Vientiane ວຽງຈັນ
- Road distance
- About 312 km
- Straight line
- 220 km
- Car time, no stops
- ~4 h buses take longer
- Return route
- Vientiane to Luang Prabang →
THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Right place. Right bus. Better start.
Leaving Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is the old royal capital of Laos, on the Mekong. It has two main bus stations, and road links to Vientiane, Vang Vieng, Nong Khiaw and the north are slow but scenic.
- Naluang (Southern) Bus Station
About 2.6 km south-west of town. Routes south, such as Vang Vieng and Vientiane. - Northern Bus Station
Near the airport. Routes north, such as Nong Khiaw and Oudomxay.
Arriving in Vientiane
Tickets bought from travel agents usually include a songthaew to the right terminal.
- Central Bus Terminal (Talat Sao)
City buses, plus buses to the Thai border and some regional routes. - Southern Bus Terminal
About 10 km from the centre. Routes south and many international buses to Vietnam. - Northern Bus Terminal
About 9 km from the centre. Routes north, such as Luang Prabang.
Keep the essentials offline
Save your ticket, the exact meeting point and the operator's phone number before you set off. Follow the check-in time on your confirmation.
- Check that your ticket and terminal match your direction.
- Buses to Vietnam cross at border posts such as Lao Bao or Cau Treo. Check visa rules first.
KEEP GOING
From Vientiane, the road continues.
Other ways to reach Vientiane
More buses from Luang Prabang
USEFUL FOR THIS TRIP
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GOOD QUESTIONS
Before you take your seat.
How far is Luang Prabang from Vientiane by road?+
About 312 km by road (220 km in a straight line). Distance is an OpenStreetMap routing estimate, not an operator figure.
How long does the bus from Luang Prabang to Vientiane take?+
We don't publish timetables. As a guide, the drive takes roughly 4 h by car without stops; bus journeys are usually longer. Check the duration of your chosen departure on 12Go before booking.
Where does the bus leave from in Luang Prabang?+
It depends on the operator. Main options in Luang Prabang include Naluang (Southern) Bus Station, Northern Bus Station, and many tourist companies collect from offices or hotels. Your ticket shows the exact boarding point.
Is there a bus back from Vientiane to Luang Prabang?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Vientiane to Luang Prabang guide.
Where does the bus from Luang Prabang arrive in Vientiane?+
It depends on the operator. In Vientiane, services use Central Bus Terminal (Talat Sao), Southern Bus Terminal, Northern Bus Terminal. Tickets bought from travel agents usually include a songthaew to the right terminal.
How do I get from the bus stop to the centre of Vientiane?+
Tickets bought from travel agents usually include a songthaew to the right terminal.
What kind of bus runs from Luang Prabang to Vientiane?+
It varies by operator and departure. Routes in this region are served by a mix of sleeper buses, seated coaches and smaller limousine vans. Check the vehicle type, seat layout and luggage allowance for your departure on 12Go before you book.
Can I book the Luang Prabang to Vientiane bus online?+
Yes. 12Go lists departures on this route. You choose a date, compare operators and pay online, and the provider issues the ticket. BusConnects doesn't sell tickets itself.
Where can I go next from Vientiane by bus?+
Direct buses from Vientiane include Nong Khai, Udon Thani, Vang Vieng, Khon Kaen, Thakhek and more. See all connections on our Vientiane bus page.
FOLLOW THE INFORMATION
Clear sources. Better decisions.
Route listed in 12Go's public route index (checked 2026-10-09). Station information reviewed 2026-10-09. Distance: OpenStreetMap data via OSRM (approximate driving distance). Listings change and are not live inventory. Confirm the departure, pickup, price and conditions before paying.
12Go: Luang Prabang to Vientiane bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Luang Prabang (Get in) ↗Wikivoyage: Vientiane (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →