1. Bus – Vang Vieng to Pakse
2. Van + Flight to Pakse
3. Train + Bus to Pakse
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🎫 Book Tickets to Pakse
From Vang Vieng to Pakse you can travel by bus/van, train + bus/plane.
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- Travel distance of this route from Vang Vieng to Pakse by land is about 810 km. There are 3 most popular options how you can travel to Pakse from Vang Vieng – by bus/minivan, train + bus via Vientiane or van + flight via Vientiane. Travel by bus or minivan to Pakse via Vientiane takes with stopover in Vientiane about 18-23 hours and it costs about $32-42/pp. There is no railway from Vang Vieng to Pakse, but there is a new railway in Laos from Vang Vieng to Vientiane. But you can also travel by bus + plane via Vientiane. Travel by tourist bus+plane from Vang Vieng to Pakse (via Vientiane – Wattay Airport) takes totally about 8-12 hours and it costs about $100-170/pp.
- The flight schedule between Vientiane and Pakse is very limited, so the travel time can change, it depends how long you will stay in Vientiane. Vang Vieng has no airport, but it there should be build a new airport. Travel by bus is the cheapest option and travel by bus+plane via Vientiane is the most comfortable way of transfer to Pakse. Book your bus tickets or bus + flights from Vang Vieng to Pakse in Laos easily online. From Pakse you can travel to Don Det in the south of Laos, there are buses and minivans, no train and no flight. You can also go to Siem Reap in Cambodia.
Pakse is a starting place for exploring the Bolaven plateau.
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- The city of Pakse (French Paksé) is located in southern Laos at the confluence of the Xedone and Mekong rivers. Pakse is the largest city in the southwestern province of Champasak. At the time of the Lao Kingdom of Champasak was the capital. It lost this position with the establishment of Laos in 1946. Today it serves as a gateway to the Bolaven Plateau. Although Pakse itself does not offer many attractions, it serves as the best starting point for trips to the Bolaven plateau, Wat Phu temple or the islands in the Mekong (Si Phan Don, Don Det), or also for ground crossing to Thailand or Cambodia. The city has also its own international airport.
- Just drive some 50 km west of the city of Pakse, and you will find yourself in a different climate compared to other parts of Laos. The Bolaven plateau rises to a height of over 1000 m above sea level, and sometimes it is very cold there. Favorable natural conditions with relatively frequent rainfall indicate not only the lush wild vegetation, but also the cultivation of tea and especially the excellent Laotian coffee varieties arabica and robusta. Bolaven is also an area with an incredibly high concentration of giant waterfalls, of which at least the highest double waterfall Tat Fan.
| Transfer Mode – Vang Vieng to Pakse: | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Bus / Minivan | 18-23 hours | $32-42/pp |
| Van + Plane via Vientiane | 8-12 hours | $100-170/pp |
| Train + Bus via Vientiane | 14-17 hours | $25-60/pp |
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How do I get from Vang Vieng to Pakse?
1. BUS / VAN from Vang Vieng to Pakse
One of the low-cost transport options from Vang Vieng to Pakse is a sleeper bus, or in combination with a smaller minivan or minibus. Some companies will also arrange a private car transfer to the bus station or to the place where the buses depart from in Vang Vieng.
On this route from Vang Vieng to Pakse, bus connections are offered by companies such as Soutchai Travel, Malany Transport, Sarah Transport Laos, Family Service. These companies offer mostly large sleeper classic Lao intercity buses that also go through other cities such as Vientiane.
The travel time by sleeper intercity bus or private minibus from Vang Vieng to Pakse in Laos is approximately 18-23 hours. However, take into account that buses may also be late at departure and the travel time may therefore vary, buses in Laos do not always run exactly on time.
Buses can depart from various locations in Vang Vieng and arrive at various locations in Pakse, or you will see other options for transferring to the bus station when searching and booking tickets. Most companies will also provide you with a transfer from the hotel to the departure point, sometimes this transfer is already included in the ticket price.
Bus tickets from Vang Vieng to Pakse cost around $32-42/pp, but these prices can vary slightly during the year or seasons. You can easily find and buy bus tickets to Pakse from Vang Vieng online and as e-tickets. Always read all supplementary information and other transfer instructions when booking tickets to avoid any misunderstandings.
Bus transfer from Vang Vieng to Pakse in southern Laos is a low-cost transportation option and is mainly used by low-cost travelers who have a more limited budget for their travel. This transport option can also be used when traveling from Pakse to Vang Vieng, via Vientiane.
2. VAN + FLIGHT from Vang Vieng to Pakse
By far the fastest, most comfortable, but more expensive option to get from Vang Vieng to Pakse in Laos is to travel by minivan and fly via Vientiane. So this option has a total of 2 steps, first is a transfer by minivan or minibus from Vang Vieng to Vientiane and then a direct flight from Vientiane to Pakse.
This transport option will save you several hours of your time, compared to a bus transfer. Transfer by minivan and air connection from Vang Vieng to Pakse via Vientiane takes about 8-12 hours, but it depends on the transfer in Vientiane. The disadvantage is the very limited schedule of direct flights from Vientiane to Pakse.
So you must first plan your trip well with a good connecting flight. The first step is a minivan trip from Vang Vieng to Vientiane, which takes about 2.5-5 hours and tickets cost between $7-12/pp, depending on the company. Minivans can arrive at various locations in Vientiane, you can see information about departures and arrivals when searching for tickets. Find and buy minivan tickets from Vang Vieng to Vientiane online in advance.
BOOK BUS TICKETS to Vientiane ➜
The second step is a direct flight from Vientiane to Pakse, which takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. For flights from Vientiane to Pakse in Laos, you can use the services of Lao Airlines, Lao Skyway, Hanh Air Systems. However, the flight schedule is very limited and most flights during the week will be offered by Lao Airlines, the largest Lao airline.
Air transfer from Vientiane to Pakse costs between $70-150/pp, these prices can vary throughout the year. Flights are operated from Wattay International Airport in Vientiane to Pakse Airport. Pakse International Airport is about 5 km from the town center and is easily accessible.
You can easily search and buy flights from Vientiane d Pakse online. If you can’t find your flight during the search, try changing the date of your departure, sometimes flights are not available every day. Air transfer is probably not suitable for low-cost travelers, due to the higher price for air transport.
3. TRAIN + BUS from Vang Vieng to Pakse (via Vientiane)
If you would like to travel part of the route from Vang Vieng to Pakse by train, you can, there is a train connection from Vang Vieng to Vientiane. From Vientiane, you must then continue the transfer by sleeper bus or minibus to Pakse. This transport option therefore has 2 steps and the total travel time by train and bus from Vang Vieng to Pakse with a transfer in Vientiane is approximately 14-17 hours.
So the first step is to take the Laos-China Railway train from Vang Vieng to Vientiane, which takes about 1-1.5 hours. There are modern fast trains that offer several classes of comfort and the price of train tickets varies accordingly. The train departs from Vang Vieng Railway Station and arrives at Vientiane Railway Station, see Laos railway map.
All trains on this route offer you only seats, which are comfortable and fully sufficient for this shorter route. Train tickets from Vang Vieng to Vientiane cost between $6-25/pp, the cheapest is always a hard seat ticket, 2nd class seats and Business seats are also available. You can search and buy train tickets to Vientiane from Vang Vieng online in advance.
Train tickets do not need to be printed, just keep them in your mobile phone and present them with the QR code when boarding the train in Vang Vieng. Please arrive at the train station in Vang Vieng at least 30 minutes before the train departs to Vientiane.
The second step is to travel by sleeper bus or minibus from Vientiane to Pakse. There is no railway between Vientiane and Pakse, so you have to use the bus connection. A bus transfer from Vientiane to Pakse in Laos takes approximately 12-13 hours and tickets cost between $17-33/pp.
Buses can leave from different stations or stops and can also arrive at different places in Pakse, you will see this information when searching and booking tickets online.
On the route from Vientiane to Pakse, you can use buses by companies such as Sarah Transport, RG Adventure, KP79 Transport, Kriangkai Transport, Family Service, Soutchai Travel, Champasak Bus or Chit Prasong.
Bus tickets to Pakse from Vientiane can be easily searched and purchased online in advance. For the train + bus option, you need to find and book 2 separate tickets, 1 for the train and 1 for the bus.
❓ FAQ + TIPS – Travel from Vang Vieng to Pakse:
1. How to book and buy tickets or flights from Vang Vieng to Pakse?
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- Book bus tickets and flights from Vang Vieng to Pakse on 12go.asia ➜ or Baolau ➜.
- You can search and book another route, Vang Vieng > Luang Prabang, Pakse > Vientiane…
2. What is the travel time from Vang Vieng to Pakse?
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- Travel by bus/minivan from Vang Vieng to Pakse (via Vientiane) takes about 18-23 hours.
- Travel by van + plane from Vang Vieng to Pakse (via Vientiane) takes about 8-12 hours.
- Travel by train + bus from Vang Vieng to Pakse (via Vientiane) takes about 14-17 hours.
3. What is the travel distance from Vang Vieng to Pakse?
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- Travel distance from Vang Vieng to Pakse in Laos is about 810 km by land (bus, minivan).
4. How much does it cost to get from Vang Vieng to Pakse?
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- Travel by bus/minivan from Vang Vieng to Pakse (via Vientiane) costs about $32-42/pp.
- Travel by van + plane from Vang Vieng to Pakse (via Vientiane) costs about $100-170/pp.
- Travel by train + bus from Vang Vieng to Pakse (via Vientiane) costs about $25-60/pp.
5. Is there a flight from Vang Vieng to Pakse?
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- No, there is no flight to Pakse from Vang Vieng, because Vang Vieng has no airport (it should be build).
6. What is the best way of transfer from Vang Vieng to Pakse?
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- The best option and also the fastest way of transport to Pakse from Vang Vieng is to travel by van + plane via Vientiane. Vientiane is about 130 km south of Vang Vieng and you can get there by bus or minivan. From Wattay Interanational Airport in Vientiane you can take a flight to Pakse.
7. Is there a train from Vang Vieng to Pakse?
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- No, there is no direct railway to Pakse from Vang Vieng, but there is a new railway in Laos from Boten to Vientiane via Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng. So you can travel by train from Vang Vieng to Vientiane and in Vientiane you can take a tourist sleeper bus to Pakse.
8. Where and how you can travel from Pakse?
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- From Pakse you can travel to Don Det – 4000 Islands or Si Phan Don in southern Laos. It is about 150 km south of Pakse town. But you can also travel by bus to Thailand via Chong Mek border crossing. You can also go to Bangkok, read this: How to get from Pakse to Bangkok? Bangkok is also accessible via Ubon Ratchathani, there are trains, buses or flights from Ubon Ratchathani to Bangkok.
9. How and where to book hotel in Pakse?
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- Pakse offers mainly cheap guesthouses, hotels and resorts for tourists. Search and book your hotel, bungalow or resort in Pakse in Laos online here > Book resort or hotel in Pakse ➜.
10. How to travel solo in Laos?
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- Embark on a solo journey through Laos by navigating diverse transportation options, opting for budget-friendly lodgings, and delving into local markets, all while fostering cultural connections and respecting the traditions of this enchanting destination. Laos has a lot of activities also for solo travelers.
11. What are the most interesting things and facts about Laos?
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- Laos is a cultural tapestry enriched by Luang Prabang’s UNESCO charm, the vital Mekong River, and the enigmatic Plain of Jars. Traditional Lao cuisine tantalizes taste buds, the Baci ceremony weaves spiritual ties, and Vieng Xai Caves harbor hidden histories. Bolaven Plateau is a coffee paradise, while Wat Phou echoes ancient spirituality, Pak Ou Caves cradle abundant Buddhas. Read also this full article: 15 Interesting Things of Laos.
12. What is the weather and climate in Laos?
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- Weather in Laos varies between distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season, prevailing from May to October, brings heavy rainfall and heightened humidity, contributing to lush landscapes and abundant rivers. In contrast, the dry season, spanning from November to April, features lower humidity and cooler temperatures, making it an ideal time for travel with clear skies and enjoyable outdoor activities.
13. What you can buy and bring home from Laos?
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- Laos presents a diverse range of souvenirs and original gifts or toys that capture its cultural richness. Traditional clay jars, silk scarves, woven baskets, silver jewelry, coffee, and a coffee maker offer a blend of artistry and functionality. Traditional fabrics, rice papers, embroidered book covers, and ceramics reflect the country’s storytelling heritage and artistic traditions. Toys, puppets, and essential oils contribute to a varied collection that echoes the cultural tapestry of Laos. Read more: What to bring from Laos?
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🎫 Book bus tickets or flights from Vang Vieng to Pakse + Schedule:
(You can change your departure, arrival, e.g. Vang Vieng > Vientiane, Vientiane > Pakse…)