Thakhek to Vientiane tickets

About the ride from Thakhek to Vientiane

 

Are you ready to see parts of Laos that aren't in the guidebooks? 

Traveling across the country by bus is the best way to get from Thakhek to Vientiane, and it's a great way to experience rural Laos before you hit the capital. So pack your phrasebook, charge your phone and let's hit the road!

Buses will follow the main highway linking central Laos with the capital. It's a fairly scenic route through rural areas along the Mekong and Laos side of the border with Thailand. The Thakhek to Vientiane distance is 336 kilometers (208 miles). 

Taking a sleeper bus during the night is a very affordable option. It will save you money on overnight accommodation – something to think about if you're watching your budget.

Private cars and minivan hire services are also available. 

These options will cost a lot more than the price of a seat on a tourist bus. Prices are usually for the whole vehicle. Minivans often work out as a cheaper option than a taxi if you can find enough paying passengers to fill every available seat. 

There are no direct flights on this route. 

So, hop on the bus, sit back, relax, play cards or watch the world whizz by over the course of six hours.

 

What to see when traveling from Thakhek to Vientiane

Heading northwest is the best way to travel from Thakhek to Vientiane. This route also allows you to experience life along the Mekong without crossing the border into Thailand. 

Many local people make their living from the river's resources, and you'll pass several small rural villages and riverside towns.

Thakhek is also a border crossing town due to its proximity to the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. This means you'll also see plenty of traffic making its way to and from the crossing point. Buses tend to use Laos Route 13, which takes them through the rural areas via the most efficient highway.

You will, of course, get to see some stretches of farmland where rice paddies are plowed and fresh vegetables are grown. You might also see bamboo thickets and some areas of uncleared forest. It's a fairly long ride, but watching the world pass by your window in Laos is unlike anywhere else in the world.

If you're taking night bus transport from Thakhek to Vientiane, you might be leaving late at night and arriving early the next morning. As you approach the urban outskirts of Vientiane, you'll see local people heading off to work in the fields or making their way into the city to sell their wares.

Laos is still an impoverished country. Some of the scenes you might witness on the outskirts of Vientiane can be very thought-provoking. Do your best to help by being respectful to everyone you meet and purchasing street food from the market rather than opting for international food chains.

Taking the sleeper bus gets you into the capital just as the sun is beginning to rise. This can be quite a magical time of day. 

Make sure you have local accommodation lined up so you can head there once you're off the bus. Your hosts might even come to meet you. 

If you prefer to fly by the seat of your pants, then why not look for a cafe, grab a coffee and ponder your options over breakfast? It can be quite liberating working out what to do when you arrive in a new place. And, who knows, you might have met someone on the bus – the future's wide open!

 

How to get from Thakhek to Vientiane

 

Taking a bus from Thakhek to Vientiane 

There are four types of buses from Thakhek to Vientiane, which run every day. 

Buses are provided by two different local companies: King of Bus and Soutchai Travel. All buses are clean, comfortable and air-conditioned. They will make regular bathroom breaks along the way, which will be a welcome respite. 

King of Bus offers a Tourist bus and a VIP bus. The VIP bus has a bathroom on board. Both buses have reclining seats, so you can look forward to at least a little bit of rest during the six-hour ride. Prices start from as little as US$11 for the Tourist bus.

Soutchai Travel runs a Sleeping bus and a Standard bus. Taking a sleeper or night bus from Thakhek to Vientiane is just like anywhere else in Southeast Asia. It can be a lumpy, bumpy ride. Still, you’ll be safe and relatively comfortable, plus you’ll get opportunities to make a few new traveling companions along the way. 

The Standard bus doesn’t have reclining seats as it only runs during the daytime. 

A ticket on the Sleeping bus starts from US$30. This is probably the most comfortable ride out of all the buses on this route. 

 

Taking a minivan from Thakhek to Vientiane 

If you’re traveling from Thakhek to Vientiane by minivan or private hire car, it will take you approximately six hours. Cars and minivan services are a comfortable alternative to taking an overnight sleeper bus and allow you to leave when and where you choose. 

Minivan hire is a good choice if you’re traveling with a group of friends because you hire the whole vehicle. 

Private hire cars are often popular with traveling families. You can get picked up from your hotel or hostel and get dropped off at your next accommodation.