Getting from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng

About the ride from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng

Every day, lots of travelers take the trip from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng, one of the most exciting destinations in Laos. Famous for its booze cruise tubing adventures, it’s a great place to drink some of the nation’s legendary Laotian whiskey. 

But it’s also way more than that, with lots of exciting outdoor escapades lurking on every corner, including caving, hiking and countless viewpoints. If you want a combination of the great outdoors and great parties, Vang Vieng is one of Southeast Asia’s most exciting destinations.

For the 183km (114 mile) journey to Vang Vieng from Luang Prabang, you have three easy options: 

• Bus from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng - typically around 6 hours
• Car from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng - typically around 4 hours
• Minivan from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng - typically around 5 hours

 

What to see when traveling from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng

There are two routes to Vang Vieng from Luang Prabang - the new road and the old road. Depending on which option your transport takes, your trip will differ. Cars and minivans can take both routes, but buses will pretty much always take the old route.

Though both roads from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng offer verdant views of steep drops, sharp bends and glorious greenery, the views from the old road are marginally better.

If you want better views, you should travel by bus. Though the journey is longer, it’s a hairpin-packed bonanza of fantastic vistas.

But, whichever transport you choose, you’ll pass through mountains, forests, charming villages and endless rustic charm. Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng are both cosy and quaint,  but so too is the journey between them.

 

How to get from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng

Taking a bus 

Buses offer the most scenic way to get from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng, as they pretty much all take the older, bendier, prettier route. But while the views are better, the journeys are longer, and typically take around 1 to 2 hours more than a car or a minivan from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng.

All buses have AC. But the buses from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng don’t have toilets on board. Instead, they stop for short toilet breaks along the way.

Taking a car 

Taking a car from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng is a great choice if you value flexibility, luxury and spontaneity. With a car to Luang Prabang from Vang Vieng, you can choose your own departure time and your own drop off point. You can even choose your own stops for photographs along the way!

It’s also a very comfortable choice.

An important note: all cars from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng pick up at Luang Prabang Airport.

Taking a minivan

If you take a minivan from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng, you have two options: you can either purchase an individual seat in a shared public minivan or hire an entire private minivan with your traveling party. If you hire the full minivan, you can choose your own drop off point, departure times and stops along the way, just like you can with a private car.

If you ride in a public minivan, you leave at designated times, and you cannot choose your own pitstops for photo opportunities. Some public minivans will pick you up from your hotel in Luang Prabang.

All minivans from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng have AC.