THE SHORT VERSION
Vientiane to Luang Prabang at a glance.
- From
- Vientiane ວຽງຈັນ
- To
- Luang Prabang ຫຼວງພະບາງ
- Road distance
- About 312 km
- Straight line
- 220 km
- Car time, no stops
- ~4 h buses take longer
- Return route
- Luang Prabang to Vientiane →
THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Right place. Right bus. Better start.
Leaving Vientiane
Vientiane is the capital of Laos and has several bus terminals, each serving a different direction. International buses to Vietnam leave from the Southern Bus 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.
Arriving in Luang Prabang
A tuk-tuk into the old town is a short ride from either station.
- 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.
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.
- Mountain roads make journeys longer than agents often advertise. Plan for it.
- Tickets from agents usually include the tuk-tuk to the station, at a mark-up.
KEEP GOING
From Luang Prabang, the road continues.
Other ways to reach Luang Prabang
More buses from Vientiane
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 Vientiane from Luang Prabang 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 Vientiane to Luang Prabang 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 Vientiane?+
It depends on the operator. Main options in Vientiane include Central Bus Terminal (Talat Sao), Southern Bus Terminal, Northern Bus Terminal, and many tourist companies collect from offices or hotels. Your ticket shows the exact boarding point.
Is there a bus back from Luang Prabang to Vientiane?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Luang Prabang to Vientiane guide.
Where does the bus from Vientiane arrive in Luang Prabang?+
It depends on the operator. In Luang Prabang, services use Naluang (Southern) Bus Station, Northern Bus Station. A tuk-tuk into the old town is a short ride from either station.
How do I get from the bus stop to the centre of Luang Prabang?+
A tuk-tuk into the old town is a short ride from either station.
What kind of bus runs from Vientiane to Luang Prabang?+
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 Vientiane to Luang Prabang 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 Luang Prabang by bus?+
Direct buses from Luang Prabang include Nong Khiaw, Vang Vieng, Chiang Rai, Dien Bien Phu, Huay Xai and more. See all connections on our Luang Prabang 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: Vientiane to Luang Prabang bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Vientiane (Get in) ↗Wikivoyage: Luang Prabang (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →