THE SHORT VERSION
Pakse to Phnom Penh at a glance.
- From
- Pakse ປາກເຊ
- To
- Phnom Penh ភ្នំពេញ
- Road distance
- About 600 km
- Straight line
- 407 km
- Car time, no stops
- ~7 h 45 min buses take longer
- Return route
- Phnom Penh to Pakse →
- Border
- Laos → Cambodia. Passport and visa needed
THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Right place. Right bus. Better start.
Leaving Pakse
Pakse is the main city of southern Laos and the hub for the Bolaven Plateau and the 4,000 Islands. It has northern and southern bus stations, plus VIP sleeper bus stations near the centre.
- Northern Bus Station
About 10 km north on Route 13. Local buses north, plus some services to Vietnam. - Southern Bus Station
About 8 km south. Buses towards the 4,000 Islands and the Cambodian border. - VIP bus stations
Near the town centre. Overnight sleeper buses to Vientiane.
Arriving in Phnom Penh
Arrival points vary by company. Ask for the drop-off address before booking.
- Company offices
Cross-border buses leave from operator offices rather than one central terminal.
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 current visa and e-visa rules for both Cambodia and Vietnam before travelling overland.
KEEP GOING
From Phnom Penh, the road continues.
Other ways to reach Phnom Penh
More buses from Pakse
USEFUL FOR THIS TRIP
Sort the small things before you go.
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GOOD QUESTIONS
Before you take your seat.
How far is Pakse from Phnom Penh by road?+
About 600 km by road (407 km in a straight line). Distance is an OpenStreetMap routing estimate, not an operator figure.
How long does the bus from Pakse to Phnom Penh take?+
We don't publish timetables. As a guide, the drive takes roughly 7 h 45 min 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 Pakse?+
It depends on the operator. Main options in Pakse include Northern Bus Station, Southern Bus Station, VIP bus stations, and many tourist companies collect from offices or hotels. Your ticket shows the exact boarding point.
Is there a bus back from Phnom Penh to Pakse?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Phnom Penh to Pakse guide.
Where does the bus from Pakse arrive in Phnom Penh?+
It depends on the operator. In Phnom Penh, services use Company offices. Arrival points vary by company. Ask for the drop-off address before booking.
How do I get from the bus stop to the centre of Phnom Penh?+
Arrival points vary by company. Ask for the drop-off address before booking.
What kind of bus runs from Pakse to Phnom Penh?+
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 Pakse to Phnom Penh 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 Phnom Penh by bus?+
Direct buses from Phnom Penh include Kampong Cham, Kampot, Chau Doc, Ha Tien, Kep and more. See all connections on our Phnom Penh bus page.
Do I need a visa to take the bus from Pakse to Phnom Penh?+
This journey crosses from Laos into Cambodia. Check the current entry and visa rules for your nationality before you travel, and keep your passport with you on the bus.
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: Pakse to Phnom Penh bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Pakse (Get in) ↗Wikivoyage: Phnom Penh (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →