How to get from Vientiane to Pakse
Why visit Pakse?
Pakse is a transport hub and gateway to southern Laos. Its strategic location, comfortable accommodations and tour offerings make it a convenient basecamp for travellers visiting the nearby Bolaven Plateau and Wat Phu.
Admittedly, there is not much to do in this riverside town. But if you’re looking for a relaxing yet strategic place to take some time off, then your best choice in the south is Pakse. Walk around town, visit some temples, explore the local markets, or just sample traditional Lao dishes.
What are the 2 ways to travel from Vientiane to Pakse?
There are 2 ways to travel the 670 kilometre (416 miles) distance from Vientiane to Pakse. You can choose between the bus and flight. The journey takes 1 hour 55 minutes to 13 hours and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 565,000 LAK ($26).
Vientiane to Pakse by Bus
It’s a long journey by bus from Vientiane to Pakse — about 7 hours 45 minutes to 13 hours. But with prices from 565,000 LAK ($26), the bus is the cheapest option for this route.
We recommend taking an overnight sleeper. This will save you time as well as a night of hotel costs.
A note on the travel time: some companies advertise that they can complete the journey in less than 8 hours. Don’t believe them. In reality, the journey takes at least 10 hours. If you’re lucky, you can spend most of the journey sleeping.
Sleeper buses from Vientiane to Pakse
Most buses operating on this route are sleeper buses. Be careful when booking one. Many of these sleeper buses offer only flatbeds for seats. These flatbeds are for two persons. If you’re travelling solo, you must buy 2 tickets to have the flatbed to yourself. Otherwise, expect to sleep beside a stranger.
If you’re not comfortable with the idea of a flatbed, some buses also offer standard seats and solo reclining beds. Check the bus features before booking your ride to avoid surprises.
You can choose from four bus companies operating on this route: Family Service, Green Paradise Travel, Chanthachone Transportation and Sarah Transport Laos.
Departure and arrival stations
Most buses depart from Vientiane Southern Bus Terminal and arrive at Chitpasong Bus Station in Pakse.
Bus schedules from Vientiane to Pakse
Tourist vs. local bus
Buses offered by BookAway are mostly tourist (VIP) buses. They’re not the normal VIP buses you’ll find in other countries and are far from luxurious. But a tourist VIP bus is your best bet if you want to get some sleep on your long journey from Vientiane to Pakse.
Local buses are cheaper, but we don’t recommend them. With prices from 240,000 LAK ($11), these depart several times a day and you don’t need to book them in advance.
However, local buses are often at capacity. They make too many stops to pick up passengers, even when there are no more seats (or beds) available. Sometimes, there is also no air conditioning.
Another option are the local express buses, available at the bus terminal in Vientiane. They typically only provide standard seats, but they get you to Pakse faster than local buses. Express bus fares start from 290,000 LAK ($13.30), but confirm at the station for the latest fares.
Vientiane to Pakse by Flight
The flight is the fastest way to get from Vientiane to Pakse. Travel time is just 1 hour 55 minutes, including airport transfers.
This is also the most expensive option, with combined rates starting from 2,027,000 LAK ($93).
We think the price is worth it, though, considering the comfort and speed you get with the flight. The bus may be cheaper, but bus travel to Pakse from Vientiane takes around 10 hours and can be very uncomfortable.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: How to get to Vientiane Airport
There are 2 ways to get from Vientiane city centre to Wattay International Airport: by bus for 40,000 LAK ($1.80) and by taxi with rates from 70,000 LAK ($3.20). Travel time is around 35 minutes.
If you’re travelling solo, the Vientiane Airport Bus Line is a convenient choice. It takes a clockwise route from Wattay Airport to Central Bus Station, and then back to the airport — just ask your accommodation where to find the nearest bus stop.
Alternatively, you can take a taxi, which is already more cost-efficient if you’re travelling with at least one other person. The cheapest way to do that would be to book one via local taxi-hailing apps like Loca and InDrive.
Check out our guide for Vientiane Airport for more info.
Step 2: Flight from Vientiane to Pakse
Lao Airlines offers several direct flights from Vientiane to Pakse daily.
Airfares start from 1,926,000 LAK ($88) and the flight time is just about an hour.
Lao Skyway is another airline you can check for this route. It used to offer cheaper rates. But the last time we checked (March 2026), it’s website was not available for booking.
Step 3: Pakse Airport to city centre
The best way to travel the 5 km from Pakse Airport to the city centre is by taxi. Fares start from 60,000 LAK ($2.70) and the journey takes about 20 minutes, depending on where your hotel is located.
Alternatively, you can make it more local with a tuk-tuk. This open-air vehicle should be comfortable enough for the short trip. But note that it’s not much cheaper than a taxi ride, with fares from 50,000 LAK ($2.30).
Check out our guide for Pakse Airport for more details.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Vientiane to Pakse. 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 Vientiane to Pakse
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What is the cheapest way to get from Vientiane to Pakse?
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.
