THE SHORT VERSION
Vientiane to Thakhek at a glance.
- From
- Vientiane ວຽງຈັນ
- To
- Thakhek ທ່າແຂກ
- Road distance
- About 340 km
- Straight line
- 241 km
- Car time, no stops
- ~4 h 15 min buses take longer
- Return route
- Thakhek 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 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 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 Thakhek by road?+
About 340 km by road (241 km in a straight line). Distance is an OpenStreetMap routing estimate, not an operator figure.
How long does the bus from Vientiane to Thakhek take?+
We don't publish timetables. As a guide, the drive takes roughly 4 h 15 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 Thakhek to Vientiane?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Thakhek to Vientiane guide.
Where does the bus from Vientiane 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 Vientiane 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 Vientiane 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 Pakse, 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: Vientiane to Thakhek bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Vientiane (Get in) ↗Wikivoyage: Thakhek (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →