🇱🇦 Country guide
Getting around Laos
Landlocked and mountainous, Laos was once known for long bus rides. The Laos–China Railway, opened in 2021, now links Vientiane, Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang in a few hours.
Route guides
How people get around
- Trains — fast and comfortable; stations are outside town centres and tickets require your passport.
- Minivans and buses — serve the south (Pakse, 4,000 Islands) and routes the train doesn't reach.
- Slow boats — the two-day Mekong trip between the Thai border and Luang Prabang is a classic.
- International connections — buses to Thailand via the Friendship Bridge and to Vietnam (e.g. Hanoi).
Good to know
Train seats sell out in high season (roughly November–February) and around Lao New Year in April. Carry kip in cash for local transport.
More popular routes on 12Go
Times and prices on this page are estimates. Live schedules and fares are shown on 12Go.