THE SHORT VERSION
Pakse to Vientiane at a glance.
- From
- Pakse ປາກເຊ
- To
- Vientiane ວຽງຈັນ
- Road distance
- About 599 km
- Straight line
- 464 km
- Car time, no stops
- ~7 h 30 min buses take longer
- Return route
- Vientiane 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 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 Pakse
USEFUL FOR THIS TRIP
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GOOD QUESTIONS
Before you take your seat.
How far is Pakse from Vientiane by road?+
About 599 km by road (464 km in a straight line). Distance is an OpenStreetMap routing estimate, not an operator figure.
How long does the bus from Pakse to Vientiane take?+
We don't publish timetables. As a guide, the drive takes roughly 7 h 30 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 Vientiane to Pakse?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Vientiane to Pakse guide.
Where does the bus from Pakse 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 Pakse 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 Pakse 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, Luang Prabang 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: Pakse to Vientiane bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Pakse (Get in) ↗Wikivoyage: Vientiane (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →