Vientiane → Luang Prabang
2026-10-26 · scheduled timetable
Every departure still bookable for 2026-10-26 is listed below — the first leaves Vientiane at 08:00 and the last at 15:15. The quickest takes 1h 46m. Travelling a day earlier or later? Change the date and the timetable refreshes.
Fares start at $20 per passenger. Prices include our service fee, and every row shows the class that fare buys.
At a glance
- Journey time
- 1h 46m – 2h 44m
- Trains per day
- 5
- First / last departure
- 08:00 / 15:15
- Departure stations
- Vientiane
- Arrival stations
- Luang Prabang
- Fares from
- $20 (second class seat)
Train Schedules
| Train | Departure time | Arrival | Shortest | From → To | from | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D88 | 08:00 | 09:46 | 1h 46m | Vientiane → Luang Prabang | — | |
| K12 | 08:25 | 11:09 | 2h 44m | Vientiane → Luang Prabang | — | |
| C92 | 09:20 | 11:38 | 2h 18m | Vientiane → Luang Prabang | $20 | Second class seat |
| C96 | 14:05 | 16:48 | 2h 43m | Vientiane → Luang Prabang | $20 | Second class seat |
| C86 | 15:15 | 17:26 | 2h 11m | Vientiane → Luang Prabang | $20 | Second class seat |
Which station do you leave from?
The station on your ticket is the one you need — in this country the main station and the secondary one are often far apart, and a ticket for one is not valid at the other.
Before you travel
What catches people out on Vientiane → Luang Prabang, and on this railway generally.
You can only book 3 days ahead
Domestic Lao-China Railway tickets go on sale three days before departure — not weeks. If you are planning a trip next month, there is nothing to book yet; ask us and we will queue it for the opening day.
The stations are outside town
Vientiane station is about 16 km from the city centre and Luang Prabang about 12 km. Allow 45 minutes for the transfer, and note the last shuttle leaves well before the train.
C trains and K trains are not the same trip
C trains are the fast ones. K trains stop at every station and take roughly twice as long for a lower fare — both run on the same line, so check the class before comparing prices.
Boten is a border station
If your journey continues to or from China, you get off at Boten with all your luggage and clear immigration before reboarding. Allow extra time and keep your visa paperwork to hand.
FAQ
How long does the train from Vientiane to Luang Prabang take?
The fastest service on this date takes 1h 46m. Slower trains on the same route take longer — the timetable above lists the actual duration for every departure.
How much does a ticket from Vientiane to Luang Prabang cost?
Fares start at about $20 per passenger, including our service fee. Different departures and different seat or berth classes cost different amounts, and the timetable lists the price for each train. On the quote page the local fare and our fee appear as separate lines.
Which station do the trains leave from on this date?
On this date, departures leave from Vientiane. Check the station printed on your ticket rather than the city name — larger cities can have more than one station, and they are not within walking distance of each other.
Do I need a printed ticket?
No. We book on your behalf and send you an e-confirmation before departure. Carry the same passport you booked with, since that is what staff check on board, and keep the confirmation on your phone.
How far in advance can I book?
Tickets open about 3 days before departure, and this page only shows dates inside that window. Popular dates and holiday periods sell out early, so book as soon as your date appears.
What should I know before booking this route?
C trains (EMU) and K trains (locomotive-hauled) differ by roughly double the fare. C is much faster; K has hard seats, more stops and takes nearly twice as long. Stations sit well outside town — Vientiane station is 16 km out, Luang Prabang 12 km — so allow transfer time.
Timetable maintained by our booking team and last checked on 2026-10-25. Seats are confirmed when we place your request with the national railway.