THE SHORT VERSION
Vientiane to Phnom Penh at a glance.
- From
- Vientiane ວຽງຈັນ
- To
- Phnom Penh ភ្នំពេញ
- Road distance
- About 1030 km
- Straight line
- 750 km
- Car time, no stops
- ~12 h 30 min buses take longer
- Return route
- Phnom Penh to Vientiane →
- Border
- Laos → Cambodia. Passport and visa needed
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 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 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 Phnom Penh by road?+
About 1030 km by road (750 km in a straight line). Distance is an OpenStreetMap routing estimate, not an operator figure.
How long does the bus from Vientiane to Phnom Penh take?+
We don't publish timetables. As a guide, the drive takes roughly 12 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 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 Phnom Penh to Vientiane?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Phnom Penh to Vientiane guide.
Where does the bus from Vientiane 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 Vientiane 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 Vientiane 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 Vientiane 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: Vientiane to Phnom Penh bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Vientiane (Get in) ↗Wikivoyage: Phnom Penh (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →