Una bella vista dall'interno centrale Don Det-mobile

Come arrivare da
Vientiane a Don Det

Panoramica del viaggio da Vientiane a Don Det

Distanza569 km (355.6 miles)

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Opzioni per il programma di viaggio da Vientiane a Don Det



























































































Prendendo un autobus da Vientiane a Don Det

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Una bella vista dall'interno centrale Don Det

About the ride from Vientiane to 4000 Islands

The capital city of Laos, Vientiane, is neither bustling nor busy. It reflects the languid pace of the Mekong River that flows through it. However, it has a charm all its own. It is the launching pad for exploring Laos, including the 4000 Islands, known locally as Si Phan Don. 

The distance from Vientiane to 4000 Islands is 800 km (500 miles), which is considerable, but it’ll be worth seeing the islands’ raw beauty. 

4000 Islands is heaven for the outdoor lover. And the ideal destination to relax and recharge your batteries. 

Head out on a kayaking trip and spot Irrawaddy Dolphins—one of the most popular things to do in the islands. Then, rent a bicycle, explore the villages and paddy fields, and pedal your way to Khone Phapheng Falls, the largest waterfalls in Southeast Asia. 

Si Phan Don is no party town, but there are plenty of opportunities to meet up with fellow travelers and have a glass of chilled beer around a campfire. And oh, the sublime sunsets provide the right kind of drama!

But one of the best ways to take in the natural beauty of this place is to do nothing. Spend the day lazing on a hammock or float down the Mekong on a tube.

To travel from Vientiane to 4000 Islands, you can take a bus, bus ferry, or a flight. 

Taking a bus is the most popular and cost-effective option. If you choose a sleeper bus that has flatbeds, you also save on hotel costs. The local buses, while cheaper, are not as comfortable as the VIP buses.

You can take a direct bus or travel via Pakse. 

If you choose the latter, you’ll take a sleeper or regular bus from Vientiane to Pakse. It’s a cute riverside town, so you can easily spend a few days wandering around. Then you’ll transfer to a minivan or local bus to get from Pakse to 4000 Islands. It doesn't save time. It just breaks up the journey a bit.

You also have the option of purchasing a bus + boat combined ticket.

While there is no direct connection, you can also take a flight from Vientiane to Pakse and cover the rest of the journey by road. Expectedly, this is a lot more expensive than traveling by bus. 

No matter how you travel, you’ll have to take a boat from Nakasong village (the last bus stop) to the island you are staying at, usually Don Det or Don Khon.

 

What to see when traveling from Vientiane to 4000 Islands

The journey takes you on Route 13, the main highway in Laos that travels from north to south. 

The long journey snakes through villages and small towns and gives you a glimpse of the idyllic countryside. Still, the ride is a long one and can get tiring. If you are taking an overnight bus, it’s best to get some shut-eye so you can wake up refreshed in Si Phan Don. 

The boat ride from Nakasong to Don Det or Don Khon will be your first introduction to the lazy Mekong. So sit back and allow yourself to get a feel for what awaits you in 4000 Islands. 

 

How to get from Vientiane to 4000 Islands

Taking a bus 

A bus is one of the most popular ways to travel this route. With ticket prices starting from US$37, it’s one of the best ways to get from Vientiane to 4000 Islands for budget travelers. 

Many of the buses offer sleeper-type seating and are fitted with flatbeds. Since many buses have a double bed arrangement, you will have to share the space with a fellow passenger. If you prefer to have the bed all to yourself, you can buy two tickets to avoid sharing it with another passenger.

The buses are air-conditioned, and even though pillows and blankets are provided, it’s best to keep a jacket or cardigan handy for extra warmth.

Many buses have attached washrooms. However, the driver also makes stops along the way for breaks.

Travel time for the Vientiane to 4000 Islands bus is around 14 hours. 

Most buses depart from the Vientiane Southern Bus Station and arrive at Nakasong Village. From there, you can walk to the pier and buy tickets for a long-tail boat ride to your hotel on one of the islands.

You can choose between VIP and local buses. The local buses are cheaper but rarely have air-conditioning and are not as comfortable as the VIP option. 

If you want to stop along the way in Pakse, the travel time from Vientiane to Pakse is around 11 hours, and from Pakse to Nakasong is about 2.5 hours. 

Two well-known companies that provide buses from Vientiane to 4000 Islands are Sengchaleun and Soutchai Travel.

 

Taking a bus + ferry 

The Vientiane to 4000 Islands distance can also be covered by purchasing a combined bus ferry ticket. Buying a combined bus ferry ticket cuts out the hassle of buying a separate ferry ticket once you reach Nakasong. 

The bus ferry service is similar to that of a regular bus journey except that it also includes the price of the boat ride. Ticket prices for this also start from US$37 per passenger. 

Travel duration varies from 12-18 hours, depending on the operator. 

If you choose this option, you will most likely board the bus at Vientiane Southern Bus Station and disembark at Nakasong village. Then you’ll transfer to a boat that will take you to Don Det or Don Khon, where most hotels are located. 

Depending on the operator and type of bus, seating could be in the form of flatbeds or reclining seats. 

Similar to other sleeping buses, the sleeping beds are meant for two passengers. Pillows and blankets are provided if you are taking the sleeper bus. 

Some buses have attached toilets, but regardless of that, all operators make stops along the way to provide passengers with restroom breaks. 

The night buses are a good option if you’re watching your budget as they help save on hotel costs. 

Free hotel pick-up is available with some operators in Vientiane. 

Chanthachone Transportation and Soutchai Travel are well-known operators on this route. 

 

Taking a flight

The other option for transport from Vientiane to 4000 Islands is to take a flight. However, there is no direct flight. Instead, you will have to fly into Pakse from Vientiane and take a minivan or bus from Pakse to Nakasong. 

The flight time from Vientiane to Pakse is 1.5 hours. 

Lao Airlines and Lao Skyway run flights 1-3 times a day on this route. Road travel from Pakse to Nakasong takes around 2.5 hours. From Nakasong, you will have to take a boat ride to the island you are staying on.

Even if you include transfer time from the airport to the bus stop, taking a flight is, by far, the fastest way to travel. 

Ticket prices are around US$120 to US$150 per passenger for a one-way journey.

Since the bus journey is so long and tiring, flying is the best way to travel from Vientiane to 4000 Islands, especially if you want comfort and don’t mind paying a premium.

Stazioni e fermate popolari a Vientiane e Don Det

Stazioni di partenza a Vientiane

Vientiane Southern Bus Station

Vientiane - Any hotel

Stazioni di arrivo a Don Det

Green Paradise Tour and Travel Don Det

Don Det Ferry / Boat Terminal

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