Pakse to Vientiane

About the journey from Pakse to Vientiane

Although Vientiane or the “city of the moon” is the smallest capital city in Southeast Asia, it still brings just the same excitement and variety available to you when visiting a country’s capital. Vientiane was a French colony, and so the architecture here is a mix of both Buddhist sculptures as well as French-inspired buildings. A beautiful piece of architecture is The Patuxai Victory Gate, which is inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and represents those who fought to gain independence from France.

Vientiane has many incredible religious and more traditional sites to experience, such as Wat That Khao temple where a huge reclining Buddha statue lies in rest. An intriguing spot is the Buddha Park, where you can roam around the greenery and admire the grand statues of gods, demons, and everything in between from both Buddhist and Hindu religions.

Travel from Pakse to Vientiane can be done by a flight or on the road by bus. While a flight takes 1.5 hours, the bus winds around the Laos/Thailand border and takes approximately 11.5 hours. The distance between Pakse to Vientiane is 465 kilometers (289 miles) as the crow flies, but significantly longer when done via road. Bus travel is of course the cheaper option, while the flight is better for a quick journey.

When arriving in Vientiane, you will see why this city became such a central point in Laos. Sitting right on the banks of the Mekong River, bordering Thailand, and surrounded by the green terraces of rice paddies, Vientiane is a fertile and wealthy vantage point with plenty of beauty and history too.

 

What to see when traveling from Pakse to Vientiane

Depending on which way you travel, you will have an interesting view of the border between Laos and Thailand. By plane, you may cut across some of Thailand’s airspace, where you can see the rich green jungles below. 

If going by bus, your journey from Pakse to Vientiane will somewhat follow the border between Laos and Thailand that winds along the Mekong River. The road between Pakse and Vientiane is a green and wild region, with several large national parks and conservation areas along the way. Since you will most likely be traveling by Sleeping Bus at night, you may not be able to see much of the sights, so can use this time to rest. You will wake up to the views of the surrounding jungle and farmland regions of Vientiane, before reaching the city that sits right on the river.

 

How to get from Pakse to Vientiane

Taking a bus 

Bus travel from Pakse to Vientiane is quite a long journey of around 11-12 hours, so sleeping buses are the usual option. The sleeping buses are quite basic in terms of amenities but provide reclining seats or double beds. In the case of a bus having double beds, you may be sharing with another passenger if traveling by yourself. If you want added space and privacy you will need to purchase a ticket for the neighbouring part of the bed. Toilet and rest stops will be made along the journey. Some bus operators will ask you to check in for your journey at their offices, after which they will drive you to the bus station.

 

Taking a flight  

The flight from Pakse to Vientiane takes around 1.5 hours and is operated by Lao Airlines. Prices for flights from Pakse to Vientiane start at about $105 and there is no free cancellations or changes policy. There will be a few departures each day with this service and luggage allowance is good. The arrival airport in Vientiane is very central and close to the river.

 

What is the best time of year to visit Pakse?

December to February are the best months to visit Pakse due to this being the driest time of year before the weather gets too hot. The coldest and driest month of the year is January, but the maximum temperature can still hit 84F (29C), so it will not be cold.

 

What is the best time of year to visit Vientiane?

The best time of year to visit Vientiane is between November and March for the most comfortable weather. The high season in Vientiane is between December and February when accommodation prices and the number of tourists will increase.