How to get from Pakse to Vang Vieng
Why visit Vang Vieng?
Vang Vieng is a small Laotian town set in the midst of tranquil cliffs and rich green rice fields — just like a scene from an Asian painting. Formerly a party destination, the picturesque town reinvented itself to become Laos’ adventure capital.
Adrenaline-hungry travellers can enjoy many exciting activities in Vang Vieng — from rock climbing and caving to hiking and river tubing. When you want to relax, take a dip in the famous Blue Lagoons or just ride a motorbike across Vang Vieng’s rugged roads and lush green fields.
What are the 3 ways to travel from Pakse to Vang Vieng?
There are 3 ways to travel the 780 kilometre (485 miles) distance from Pakse to Vang Vieng. You can choose between the bus, shared minivan and flight. The journey takes 3 hours 45 minutes to 16 hours and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 779,000 LAK ($36).
Where to stay in Vang Vieng?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Vang Vieng at the bottom of this page.
Pakse to Vang Vieng by Bus
While Vang Vieng might be known for its river tubing scene, it also boasts a stunning landscape of limestone rocks. This scenic town has amazing views and hidden caves to check out.
To get from Pakse to Vang Vieng by land, you’ll need to make a stop in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Note that even when booking direct tickets, you might need to change vehicles in Vientiane.
The journey takes 13 to 16 hours. The good news is that the bus to Vang Vieng has toilets and is a sleeper bus, making the trip a bit more comfortable.
Bus schedules from Pakse to Vang Vieng
Departure and Arrival Stations
- Green Paradise Travel departs from its office in Pakse and arrives at Vang Vieng Bus Terminal
Note: The bus features a double bed, which accommodates two passengers per bed. If you do not want to share the space with other passengers, your only option is to buy two tickets for yourself.Â
Pakse to Vang Vieng by Shared Minivan
Shared Minivan options from Pakse to Vang Vieng
Pakse to Vang Vieng by Flight
Flying might seem like a fast way to Vang Vieng – just 1h 15m to Vientiane! But there’s a catch: it’s not direct. You’ll need to catch a bus from Vientiane, adding another 2h 30m - 4h to your journey.
Still, if you’re really pressed for time, flying can be a good option. It can cut the total travel time in half compared to taking the bus all the way.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: Pakse to Vientiane by Flight
From the city centre, you need to hire a taxi to get to the airport. The taxi ride costs 151,000 LAK ($7).
Lao Airlines offers the fastest and cheapest flight straight to Vientiane. A one-way plane ticket to Vientiane starts at 2,202,000 LAK ($100) and takes about 1h 15m. For more information about booking your flight, read our article on how to go from Pakse to Vientiane.
Step 2: Vientiane to Vang Vieng by Bus
It takes about 2h 30m - 4h to go from Vientiane to Vang Vieng. You can either book a bus or ride a van for this route. However, we prefer taking the bus because it has more legroom. Expect to pay about 173,000 LAK ($8) for a bus ticket.
Two bus companies operate on this route: RG Adventure and Soutchai Travel.
RG Adventure offers a more frequent schedule, with four trips running daily. The first trip leaves at 7:00 and the last one departs at 15:00.
Soutchai Travel offers two trips per day. The first trip leaves at 9:00, and the last trip departs Vientiane at 14:00.
Make sure that your flight from Pakse to Vientiane is scheduled accordingly so you can travel on the same day. Read Vientiane to Vang Vieng to know more.
Departure and Arrival Stations
- RG Adventure departs from Vientiane Northern Bus Terminal and arrives at Vang Vieng Northern Bus Station.
- Soutchai Travel offers free pickup from your hotel in Vientiane and arrives at Soutchai Travel bus station in Vang Vieng.
Best places to stay in Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng Diamond Resort - Budget Friendly
It’s not easy to find a resort for $23 a night, so when you find one like Vang Vieng Diamond Resort, you should snap it up! This place has a huge outdoor swimming pool, an onsite restaurant that serves a range of cuisines and nice areas to relax in.
The rooms are clean and spacious, offering great views of the mountain and surrounding areas. The resort is slightly out from the city centre, adding a bit of piece to your stay in Vang Vieng.
- Great value for money
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Onsite restaurant
- Mountain views
Private rooms start from $23 per night.Â
Vang Vieng Champa Hotel - Budget Friendly
Vang Vieng Champa Hotel recently opened, so everything feels clean and modern. Plus, they’re cleaned every day with fresh water provided every day. The host, Ben, goes out of his way to make sure you have a fabulous stay. He’s so incredible, many people have ended up extending their stay.
He wants to make you feel at home which includes providing a free breakfast every morning! The location is great, within walking distance of most attractions.
- Modern and clean
- Amazing host
- Free water
- Free delicious breakfast
Private rooms start from $25 per night. Â
Sunset Nam Ngum Resort - Mid Range
Sunset Nam Ngum Resort is situated 50 minutes south of Vang Vieng, but it offers a unique and unforgettable stay. You’ll be staying on one of the islets in Nam Ngum Reservoir, surrounded by water.
The place has just been renovated offering stunning and modern rooms that overlook the water. This is the perfect escape from the world. And don’t worry about the distance to Vang Vieng, the resort offers a free shuttle.
- Unique stay
- Surrounded by water
- Modern and luxury rooms
- Free shuttle to Vang Vieng
King rooms start from $40 per night.Â
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Pakse to Vang Vieng. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Frequently Asked Questions about Pakse to Vang Vieng
What is the distance from Pakse to Vang Vieng?
The distance from Pakse to Vang Vieng is 780 kilometre (485 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Pakse to Vang Vieng?
The fastest way to get from Pakse to Vang Vieng is by flight and takes 3 hours 45 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Pakse to Vang Vieng?
The cheapest way to get from Pakse to Vang Vieng is by bus with ticket costs starting from 779,000 LAK ($36).
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
