THE SHORT VERSION
Pakse to Thakhek at a glance.
- From
- Pakse ປາກເຊ
- To
- Thakhek ທ່າແຂກ
- Road distance
- About 333 km
- Straight line
- 274 km
- Car time, no stops
- ~4 h buses take longer
- Return route
- Thakhek to Pakse →
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 Thakhek
From the interprovincial station, a tuk-tuk into town is almost unavoidable. Agree the fare first.
- Interprovincial (South) Bus Station
About 5 km east of the centre. Long-distance services. - Local bus station
Next to the Souksomboun market. Songthaews to nearby towns.
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.
- International buses to Nakhon Phanom cross the Mekong bridge several times a day.
KEEP GOING
From Thakhek, the road continues.
All buses from and to ThakhekOther ways to reach Thakhek
More buses from Pakse
USEFUL FOR THIS TRIP
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GOOD QUESTIONS
Before you take your seat.
How far is Pakse from Thakhek by road?+
About 333 km by road (274 km in a straight line). Distance is an OpenStreetMap routing estimate, not an operator figure.
How long does the bus from Pakse to Thakhek 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 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 Thakhek to Pakse?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Thakhek to Pakse guide.
Where does the bus from Pakse arrive in Thakhek?+
It depends on the operator. In Thakhek, services use Interprovincial (South) Bus Station, Local bus station. From the interprovincial station, a tuk-tuk into town is almost unavoidable. Agree the fare first.
How do I get from the bus stop to the centre of Thakhek?+
From the interprovincial station, a tuk-tuk into town is almost unavoidable. Agree the fare first.
What kind of bus runs from Pakse to Thakhek?+
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 Thakhek 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 Thakhek by bus?+
Direct buses from Thakhek include Vientiane, Hanoi, Nakhon Phanom. See all connections on our Thakhek 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: Pakse to Thakhek bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Pakse (Get in) ↗Wikivoyage: Thakhek (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →