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Thailand Travel Guide

Asia travel tickets, travel from bangkok to vang vieng.

There are three ways  to get from Bangkok to Vang Vieng:

• Option 1:  Take a bus direct from Bangkok to Vang Vieng.
• Option 2:  Take a train to Nong Khai and then a minivan to Vang Vieng.
• Option 3:  Fly to Vientiane and then take a bus to Vang Vieng.

Bus Times from Bangkok to Vang Vieng

There is a single direct bus service a day from Bangkok to Vang Vieng which you can book online.

• Check in 30 minutes before departure.
• Passengers alight from the bus at Nong Khai and take a tuk-tuk (included in the ticket price) to the border. Wait outside the Laos immigration office for a minibus for the onward journey to Vang Vieng.

Buy Tickets from Bangkok to Vang Vieng

Use the Search Box below to buy tickets from Bangkok to Vang Vieng:

After booking print out the electronic booking voucher to present at the bus counter before you depart from Bangkok.

Bangkok Bus Stop

Bus services to Vang Vieng depart from outside the Khaosan Tara Travel Office on the Samsen Road in Bangkok, which is 700 metres walking distance from the Khao San Road.

Vang Vieng Bus Stop

Bus services from Bangkok to Vang Vieng terminate at Vang Vieng Bus Terminal.

About Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng has a reputation for being a party town, with tubing down the Nam Song River and young people getting drunk at the many local bars being the main things that go on in this town. Vang Vieng is still a bit like this, people still go floating down the river in big rubber tube sand go to bars all night, however, Vang Vieng has calmed down a bit since the last decade with the government imposing restrictions on the number of riverside bars and some of the more dangerous tubing activities.

Vang Vieng has matured into somewhere more focused on a variety of different adventure sports: mountain biking, trekking, rock climbing, and caving. The surrounding Karst mountains form a picturesque backdrop to the town of Vang Vieng and offer fantastic opportunities for adventure sports. Whilst Luang Prabang is the cultural capital of Laos, Vang Vieng is the fun capital of Laos and the fun now extends beyond floating in tubes and getting drunk.

If you travel direct from Vientiane to Luang Prabang its a 13 hour bus journey. Vang Vieng is an excellent place for a stop over on route from Vientiane to Luang Prabang which is an 8 hour journey; its a 4 hour journey by bus from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang . For travel to Don Det in the 4,000 islands area, you first need to travel from Vieng Vieng to Pakse . The journey by bus from Vang Vieng to Pakse takes 16 hours 30 minutes. From Pakse it is a further journey of around 2 hours 25 minutes by minivan to reach Don Det, the most popular of the islands in the Si Phan Don area.

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On these webpages you will find programs of day trips, multi-day tours and jungle treks that Viengtravel can arrange for you. Viengtravel does not organize tours and day trips which include shopping or other outings you can easily arrange yourselves. If tours can easily be done on your own, we will only provide you with the necessary information and you’re on your way. Our tours or day trips are made in such a way that they offer you added value. Otherwise the tour is useless. If you have adventurous or special ideas about your vacation in Thailand, Viengtravel can in most cases fulfill your specific wishes on request. These private and tailor-made tours are an important part of total travel arrangements. Trying to execute such plans on your own (if possible), mostly leads to a loss of time and money. Only with the aid of a good and experienced guide will you get an insight into Thai culture and be able to fully appreciate all the wonderful things Thailand has to offer. Even on our standard tours, Viengtravel travels in small groups, usually no more than 12 people. However, some of our trips do require a minimum of 4 participants. But with a small surcharge we can almost always start the tour with fewer participants. Finally, we’d like to point out that all prices for multiple day tours, except for the jungle treks, are based on twin occupancy of hotel rooms. In case of single occupancy a small surcharge will therefore be applied.

Vang Vieng Travel Guide

Last Updated: September 2, 2023

Once a crazy party town dominated by wild backpackers, Vang Vieng has changed a lot in recent years. The center of town is now thriving, with boutique hotels and high-end restaurants replacing some of the party-laden backpacker bars that used to pack the waterfront.

If you’re backpacking Vang Vieng, know it’s no longer the hedonistic jungle town it once was – it’s now a calm oasis for enjoying nature, jungle hikes, and lazy days cooling off in the river. (That said, you can still party hard here. It’s just not like the old days, which I think is a good thing.)

If you’re seeking outdoor adventure, explore the area’s cave system (including by tubing in a water cave), kayak Nam Song’s rapids, climb Pha Poak Mountain at sunset, or drive an ATV on the backcountry roads. When it’s time to cool off, take a refreshing plunge in the Blue Lagoon. For a small town, there’s actually a lot to do here.

This Vang Vieng travel guide will help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your time in this popular backpacker spot!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money Saving Tips
• Where To Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Vang Vieng

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Vang Vieng

1. Go tubing on the river

Tubing is definitely a much safer and more enjoyable experience now that the drugs and excessive partying are gone (in the past, people would get wasted and then go tubing, leading to all kinds of injuries and fatalities). Rent a tube, get taken to the top of the river, and then float lazily back to town. Rentals cost around 55,000 LAK, which includes transportation to the starting point.

2. Go caving

One of the most popular and most accessible caves in Vang Vieng is the Golden Cave (Tham Phu Kham) at the Blue Lagoon. Inside, there’s an aquamarine lagoon where you can cool off with a swim. Bring a flashlight so you can explore further into the cave (you can rent one there if you don’t have one). The Tham Chan Cave is another option, reached via an orange suspension bridge and a steep staircase behind the Vang Vieng Resort.

3. Rent an ATV or go dirt biking

ATVs and dirt bikes are really popular here. There are plenty of well-marked trails for off-roading fun. Prices vary depending on what you rent and whether or not you are on a tour. Expect to pay around 1,000,000 LAK for a half-day tour and around 250,000 LAK for a full-day rental.

4. Check out the Blue Lagoon

While it does tend to get crowded, the lagoon is a quick trip via tuk-tuk, and you can explore the lagoon’s cave too. Plus, it’s fun to watch people conquer their nerves as they jump from the highest branch of the tree hanging over the lagoon. The entry fee is 10,000 LAK. There are multiple blue lagoons these days, though most people still go to the original. For smaller crowds check out lagoon 2 or 3 (they’re just a bit further from town).

5. Take a hot air balloon ride

Hot air balloon rides are offered during the dry season (November-March). Rides usually last about 45 minutes and are one of the best ways to take in the mountainous scenery around Vang Vieng. Expect to pay at least 1,500,000 LAK. You can book directly through Balloon Over Vang Vieng or through a third-party company like Wonderful Tours.

Other Things to See and Do in Vang Vieng

1. try rock climbing.

There are several options for rock climbing in Vang Vieng, whether you are a first-time climber or a professional. Adam’s Climbing School will show you the ropes (pun intended). For a half-day of lessons and climbing, expect to pay around 380,000 LAK.

2. Check out the Water Cave

The Water Cave is one of the main attractions in Vang Vieng. You’ll tube through the cave while holding onto a rope with only a flashlight to light the route ahead of you. A tube and flashlight rental is only 15,000 LAK, but many tours plan the tubing in the morning and follow it up with a BBQ picnic lunch. A full-day adventure with Wonderful Tours Laos includes the Water Cave, zip-lining, and kayaking for around 865,000 LAK.

3. Climb Pha Poak

If you want stunning views, head to Pha Poak mountain. It’s only a 30-minute climb to the top where you’ll be rewarded with an incredible view of the area’s limestone mountains. Keep in mind that climbing in the dark is incredibly difficult and even in daylight it’s not for the faint-hearted with few ropes and some steep drops. Wearing appropriate footwear is recommended.

4. Go biking

Rent a bike and take a self-guided tour along Route 13’s paved roads through farmland, rice paddy fields, and jungle-covered mountains. Regular bicycles are available for around 20,000 LAK per day, while mountain bikes are available for around 30,000 LAK per day. Alternatively, hopping on a guided half-day tour costs around 750,000 LAK.

  For more information on other destinations in Laos, check out these guides:

• Luang Prabang Travel Guide
• Vientiane Travel Guide

Vang Vieng Travel Costs

Keep in mind that almost none of the hostels have kitchens so you need to eat out for your meals or find a local guesthouse with a kitchen.

Budget hotel prices – Two-star hotels with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and free breakfast start around 93,000 LAK per night although properties on the river are more expensive. Guesthouses are more affordable at about 440,000 LAK per night.

In addition to hotels, there are lots of Airbnb options in Vang Vieng. Private rooms start from 200,000 LAK but average more like 425,000 LAK. There are very few full apartments or homes for rent, but if you find one, they start at 900,000 LAK.

Food – Food in Laos has many similarities to its neighbors and includes green papaya salad and laap (also known as larb), which is a minced-meat salad that is the national dish. Grilled meats, such as chicken, pork, and duck are also very popular, as is feu, the local version of pho.

Most street food and cheap meals of local cuisine cost less than 22,000 LAK, especially in the night market where you can find things like barbecued meats, spicy papaya salad, and noodle soup.

If you want to splash out on a fancy meal, expect to pay around 150,000 LAK for a three-course meal with a drink.

Beer is very cheap here, costing around 14,000 LAK. If you want a latte or cappuccino, expect to pay around 30,000 LAK. Bottled water is around 5,000 LAK.

If you have access to a kitchen, a week’s worth of groceries costs around 250,000-300,000 LAK for basic staples like rice, pasta, produce, and some meat.

Backpacking Vang Vieng Suggested Budgets

On a backpacker budget, expect to spend around 300,000 LAK per day. This budget covers staying in a hostel dorm, eating street food, drinking a couple beers, renting a bicycle to get around, and enjoying mostly cheap activities like cycling and swimming. Add another 15,000-30,000 LAK to your daily budget if you plan on drinking more.

On a mid-range budget of 650,000 LAK per day, you can stay in a private hostel dorm or Airbnb, drink more, enjoy lots of street food, take some taxis or tuk-tuks, and do more activities like go rock climbing or ATV riding.

On a “luxury” budget of around 1,800,000 LAK per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat all your meals out anywhere you want, enjoy lots of drinks, hire tuk-tuks or rent a motorbike/scooter, and do whatever activities you want. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in LAK.

Vang Vieng Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Vang Vieng, like the rest of Laos, is very affordable. As a popular tourist destination, prices here are a little bit higher than elsewhere in the country, but they aren’t going to break the bank. If you drink a lot, you’ll spend a lot of money but, otherwise, it’s very cheap to visit. That said, here are some ways to save when you visit Vang Vieng:

• Stick to eating local food – Western food is always more expensive than the local cuisine. While the prices aren’t that high, they add up. To save money, stick to the local cuisine.
• Don’t party too hard – While Vang Vieng isn’t the crazy party place it once was, skipping out on a lot of drinking is one easy way to cut costs.
• Limit your activities – Between tubing and rock climbing, exploring caves, and riding hot air balloons, there is a lot to do in Vang Vieng. You’ll end up breaking the bank if you try to do everything, so consider picking your top activities and just doing them.
• Bring a reusable water bottle – The tap water here isn’t safe to drink. To save money and reduce your plastic use, bring a reusable water bottle with a filter. LifeStraw makes a reusable bottle with a built-in filter so you can be sure your water is always safe and clean.

Where to Stay in Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng has lots of accommodation options. My suggested places to stay are the following:

• Nana Backpackers Hostel
• Vang Vieng Freedom Hostel
• Rock Backpackers Hostel

How to Get Around Vang Vieng

Bicycle – Bicycles are a great way to navigate Vang Vieng and the surrounding area. It’s possible to rent a bicycle at lots of different shops in town, and sometimes at your accommodations. Regular bicycles are available for around 20,000 LAK per day, while mountain bikes are for about 30,000 LAK per day.

Motorcycles – At many of the bicycle rental shops you’ll also find motorcycle or scooter rentals. Rentals cost around 150,000 LAK per day. Most hotels/hostels can help you rent one so you don’t get scammed.

When to Go to Vang Vieng

November-March is the best time to visit Vang Vieng. This is when the area’s weather is consistently warm and dry. If you’re here primarily to do adventure activities, this weather is perfect. In the city itself, the average daily temperature is 25°C (77°F). This is the busiest time of year as well, so you can expect higher prices and bigger crowds.

March to May tends to be the hottest time of year, with temperatures soaring as high as 40°C (104°F). Humidity is high as well. July and August are popular months to visit Vang Vieng for European and South American travelers making the most of their holidays.

The rainiest times of year is September through October. This isn’t great for adventure activities as the area may experience flooding and the thick mud makes it difficult to get around. Plus, if you want to get out into the mountains, there’s a higher risk for landslides.

How to Stay Safe in Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng is a very safe place to visist. Since the government shut down most of the party tubing scene, safety has drastically improved. The town also doesn’t have the same amount of tourist traffic anymore, so petty crimes like pickpocketing are also more rare (but by no means unlikely). Just keep an eye on your stuff, especially at night when out at the packed bars.

As with many places in Southeast Asia, people and businesses might try to rip you off by charging you tourist prices. When in doubt, always ask your hotel/hostel staff how much things should cost so you don’t get scammed.

Be wary of people planting drugs on you. The scam involves someone planting drugs on you and then a police officer arresting you unless you can pay a bribe.

For other scams, you can read about common travel scams to avoid here .

When people get into trouble here, it’s mostly because they’re tangled up with drugs or the sex industry. Laos is strict about punishment when it comes to these offenses, so avoid them at all costs!

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here. However, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.). For specific tips, check out one of the many solo female travel blogs on the web that go into more detail.

When in doubt, always trust your instincts. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID, in case of an emergency.

If you experience an emergency, dial 191 to contact the police.

The most important piece of safety advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Vang Vieng Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Agoda – Other than Hostelworld, Agoda is the best hotel accommodation site for Asia.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.

Vang Vieng Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Laos travel and continue planning your trip:

Is Southeast Asia Safe for Travelers?

The Secret Pool of Kuang Si Waterfall

The Cost of Traveling Laos

Vang Vieng: A Hedonistic Backpacker Town Reborn

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Getting to Vang Vieng from Thailand

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After five relaxing days in Kanchanaburi, the location of the famous bridge over the River Kwai, saw us looking to head out of Thailand as our visas were due to expire. Really there are only 4 options to choose between. Mynamar to our left, Cambodia up and to the right or almost straight up into Laos. We had of course already done Malaysia to the south. We decided to revisit beautiful Laos, so needed to figure out a way of getting to Vang Vieng from Thailand. We’d been to Vientiane before and didn’t really want to spend any more time there, we figured a week or so on the river in Vang Vieng would be just perfect.

Vang Vieng From Thailand

Getting to Laos from Kanchanaburi, Thailand was by no means a quick hop across a border. It would involve no less than 3 Tuk Tuks, a taxi, an overnight train and two minivans. Hard enough with just the two of us but with a 9-year-old and 6-year-old in tow it shaped up to be a little bit tougher, not to mention more expensive. But to be fair to the boys they are great little travellers.

Booking the Tickets to Laos from Bangkok

First up I headed to the local train station to buy tickets for the number 69 overnight train from Bangkok to Knong Khai,  a small nondescript town on the Laos/Thai border. Easily done and it is worth noting you can buy tickets on any train from any station in Thailand. I picked the non A/C sleeper class as I had done countless times before we started travelling with kids. An adult ticket was 500 baht per ticket. 750 baht would get an A/C sleeper 2nd class. Leaving at 2000 hours and arriving at 0615 hours it was a great way to travel. Walking back to the hotel little did I realise the storm that would be heading my way. More on that later.

Returning to the room my wife informed me that Laos was experiencing its worst dengue outbreak in recent memory. 50000 cases and 50+ dead. A big outbreak at home was 13 cases and a week off work for the victims. Sometimes the internet and its wealth of knowledge suck big-time.

After much discussion, we decide to press on regardless. Needless to say, we cleared out the town of all DEET related products. We actually found out later that the Dengue outbreak covered the whole of Southeast Asia!

The Journey, Getting from Kanchanaburi, Thailand to Laos

Getting to Vang Vieng from Thailand started with an uneventful 3 hour trip in the minivan to Bangkok followed by a quick, cheap taxi ride to the main train station meant we had 3 hours to kill in the station. 

We parked ourselves on the floor with numerous other travellers and set about reading or playing. The boys managed to strike up a ball game with an Austrian family sitting next to us. 5 pm saw all rise for the Thai national anthem.

Soon we were up and heading to our train carriage. The carriage was about 6 up the track so took some walking. On seeing the carriage my wife hit the roof. Her “You are joking.” statement ringing in my ears. Of course, I couldn’t see the problem. I didn’t know about the dengue when I booked the tickets and hadn’t given the train any thought after we found out. Sitting in our seats with the tension bouncing around trying to work out what to do I ran back along the track and to the ticket counter.

With only 5 minutes left and people queued up for miles, a helpful guard pushed me to the front. No, unfortunately, there are no A/C sleeper beds left.

Running back to the train the food lady had managed to find a lady in A/C whose brother and a friend hadn’t turned up.

I bought the tickets off her and moved the kids and Alyson down into A/C. Crisis avoided.

A/C sleeper class for us from now on and I don’t think I will forget after that ear bashing. I joined them once the guard had moved past. I never did mention I was cold in the night.

Border Crossing from Thailand to Laos

Waking to lush rice paddies racing past the window, we were soon at the Knong Khai border town and into a waiting Tuk Tuk, of sorts, speeding to the border. We were quickly out of Thailand and onto the bus across to Laos.

At the Laos border, I had to fill out visa forms for the four of us. Luckily the line was taking ages as it took the better part of 30 minutes to get all 12 pages sorted.

The immigration official told me to change my Thai Baht into USD which saved us the better part of $130. Who says immigration and customs don’t care?

Laos Border to Vang Vieng

We negotiated the throng of waiting taxi drivers and piled into the back of a truck/ tuk tuk hybrid for the short 20km ride into the capital Vientiane. Not known for its great sights, we decided to give it a miss this time.

We happened to be standing outside a tourist information office near our driver’s drop off point so we grabbed a map and then headed to the bus station on foot.

There was to be a delay for a scheduled bus, but never fear, there were plenty of mini vans waiting to take us wherever we desired.

3 hours north up to Vang Vieng passed quickly as the countryside and local life grew ever more beautiful and fascinating. Getting to Vang Vieng from Thailand isn’t hard or expensive. In fact, it is a beautiful journey across some of South East Asia’s rural farm land that you might not otherwise take if you flew.

Vang Vieng is a lovely town perched on the river, we grabbed a hotel, dropped the bags and headed out for some food and beer. A new country and a new beer is always exciting.

Mini buses in the past used to leave and arrive around Victory Monument in central Bangkok but all buses have now been moved away to official bus stations. It is still possible to get mini buses from places like the Khao San road but the best option and where most will drop you off in Bangkok on the return journey is either the Southern Bus terminal or Northern Bus Terminal (Mochit). Time to the Southern bus terminal is 2 hours or 3 hours to the Northern terminal to and from Kanchanaburi.

Trains have also had a large upgrade and finding 2nd class non A/C is actually quite hard. For the journey north to Knong Khai I’d recommend booking in advance a few days to guarantee your seats. Especially if there are more than 2 of you. Likewise if you are going up to Chiang Mai booking a week ahead isn’t uncommon to get your seats on the train you want.   You can check options, prices and timetables here.

Have fun getting to Vang Vieng from Thailand whichever way you choose to go. It certainly is one of the nicer trips across Asia. If you want to avoid buses you can catch a train from Kanchanaburi to Bangkok although please note that the stations are different from where Kanchanaburi trains arrive and depart and the main Bangkok station, Hua Lamphong.

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Chef is James Long, a professional chef, world traveler and endurance athlete. He has spent almost a decade traveling and working internationaly.

1 thought on “Getting to Vang Vieng from Thailand”

Hi James, Well ………..what a great story . I feel exhausted reading the ups and downs of this journey. Trust you to get lucky on the platform and avoid more ankst! Quite funny really in hindsight but guess not at the time. Port Douglas must seem very tame comparatively. We made the same mistake in Morocco to great regret. Good luck for future moves to different countries. Wondering where you will go next. xx

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How to go → VANG VIENG to BANGKOK? ☀️

1. Bus / Van to Bangkok 2. Bus + Flight to Bangkok 3. Train + Bus to Bangkok 🎫 Book a Tour in Bangkok 🎫 Book Ticket to Bangkok

From Vang Vieng to Bangkok you can travel by bus, bus+train, taxi or plane.

• Travel distance from Vang Vieng to Bangkok is about 780 km by land via Vientiane in Laos. The best and fastest option of transfer to Bangkok from Vang Vieng is to travel by bus+plane via Vientiane. You can travel by bus / minivan from Vang Vieng to Vientiane and from Vientiane (Wattay International Airport, about 150 km from Vang Vieng) you can take a direct flight to Bangkok. Travel by bus+plane from Vang Vieng to Bangkok via Vientiane takes about 7-9 hours and it costs about $60-140/pp. But if you want to save your money, you can also travel by bus or bus+train to Bangkok via Vientiane (Thanaleng border crossing). Travel by bus/minivan to Bangkok from Vang Vieng takes totally about 15-21 hours and it costs about $23-35/pp. There are buses from Vang Vieng to Vientiane and from Vientiane to Bangkok . In Thanaleng you will be crossing the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge.
• Travel by train is also available. On December 4, 2021 there was opened a new railway in Laos connecting Vientiane and Boten. And there is a train from Vang Vieng to Vientiane. So, you can take a train from Vang Vieng to Vientiane. Cross the border to Nong Khai and from Nong Khai in Thailand, about 25 km from Vientiane and about 3 km from Thanaleng border crossing, you can travel by train of Thai Railways to Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station). Travel by bus+train is the most cheapest option how to reach Bangkok from Vang Vieng. The last way is to take a private car/taxi from Vientiane to Bangkok, you can book private modern car or minivan, it is the most expensive option of transfer. Search and book tickets, flight from Vang Vieng to Bangkok easily online.
• Book tickets or flight from Vang Vieng to Bangkok (via Vientiane) online

BOOK TICKETS with 12go.asia ➜

• Bangkok is the most frequented tourist site of Thailand. It is the capital of Thailand and offers various tourist activities, attractions, historical sites and various trip around Bangkok. This city is easily accessible from various tourist places in Thailand or from neighbouring countries. There are direct flights from Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar or Cambodia. There are flights from Luang Prabang and Vientiane in Laos to Bangkok in Thailand. The most fastest options of transfer between these countries. There is no direct train between Vang Vieng, Vientiane and Bangkok. Nong Khai is the closest railway station to Laos (Vientiane). But in the near future there should be build a new railway in Laos. From Bangkok you can travel to southern Thailand, e.g. by train, bus or plane to Krabi or Phuket .

BOOK TICKETS with Baolau ➜

How do I get from Vang Vieng to Bangkok?

1. bus from vang vieng to bangkok.

A) Bus / Minivan from Vang Vieng to Vientiane

• the only way how you can travel from Vang Vieng to Vientiane (if you do not have your taxi)
• bus or minivan departs from various stations in Vang Vieng, there is also a hotel transfer
• buses arrive mainly to Vientiane Soutchai Travel or Vientiane Northern Bus Stop
• modern, comfortable tourist buses/minibuses or minivans
• travel by bus or minivan from Vang Vieng to Vientiane takes about 4-5 hours
• bus companies from Vang Vieng to Vientiane: Soutchai Travel, Malany Transport
• travel by bus or minivan from Vang Vieng to Vientiane costs about $8-10/pp
• read the information before you book your bus tickets
• Book bus tickets from Vang Vieng to Vientiane online on 12go.asia ➜ or Baolau ➜

B) Bus from Vientiane to Bangkok

• there are some buses from Vientiane to Bangkok in Thailand (via Thanaleng border crossing)
• you can also cross the border in Thanaleng and take a bus from Nong Khai to Bangkok (about 25 km from Vientiane)
• travel time by bus or minivan from Vientiane to Bangkok is about 10-14 hours
• bus companies to Bangkok from Vientiane: Thai-Lao International Buses, Air Udon, Budsarakham Tour, Naga Travel
• travel by bus or minivan to Bangkok from Vientiane costs about $14-25/pp
• read this article about this travel route: How to get to Bangkok from Vientiane?

2. BUS + FLIGHT from Vang Vieng to Bangkok

A) Bus or Minivan from Vang Vieng to Vientiane

• from Vang Vieng to Vientiane in Laos you can get by bus, minibus, minivan
• buses depart from various stations in Vang Vieng, there is also a hotel transfer
• buses arrive to Vientiane Soutchai Travel or Vientiane Northern Bus Stop
• travel time by bus from Vang Vieng to Vientiane is about 4-5 hours
• bus companies to Vientiane: Soutchai Travel, Malany Transport
• bus tickets from Vang Vieng to Vientiane cost about $8-10/pp

B) Direct flight from Vientiane to Bangkok

• direct flight from Vientiane to Bangkok is the most fastest way of transport
• direct flight from Vientiane to Bangkok takes about 1 hour
• one-way direct flight from Vientiane to Bangkok costs about $50-130/pp
• airlines from Vientiane to Bangkok: Bangkok Air, Thai Airways, Lao Airlines, Thai AirAsia
• flights from Wattay International Airport in Vientiane
• flights to – Suvarnabhumi International Airport or Don Mueang International Airport
• read this article about this travel route: How to travel to Bangkok from Vientiane?

3. TRAIN + BUS from Vang Vieng to Bangkok

A) Train from Vang Vieng to Vientiane

• there is a new train from Vang Vieng to Vientiane (from December 4, 2021)
• train departs from Vang Vieng Railway Station and arrivers to Vientiane Railway Station
• train tickets from Vang Vieng to Vientiane you can buy at the train station, 3 days before departure
• you can check Laos Railway Map

B) Bus or Minivan from Vientiane to Nong Khai (via Thanaleng)

• the closest railway station to Laos is in Nong Khai, about 3 km from Thanaleng border
• you will be traveling via Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge
• travel by bus / minivan from Vientiane to Nong Khai takes about 1-2 hours
• bus companies to Nong Khai from Vientiane: PST Transit Service or other companies
• transfer by bus / minivan from Vientiane to Nong Khai costs about $7-10/pp

C) Train from Nong Khai to Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station)

• there are trains of Thai Railways from Nong Khai to Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station)
• these trains depart from Nong Khai Railway Station in the city center
• trains arrive to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station in Bangkok, the main train station of Bangkok
• transport by train from Nong Khai to Bangkok costs about $13-40/pp
• it takes about 9.5-11 hours to reach Bangkok by train from Nong Khai
• you can check current Thailand Train Map + Thailand Train Timetable

4. BUS + TAXI/CAR from Vang Vieng to Bangkok

A) Minibus or Van from Vang Vieng to Vientiane

• a cheap way of transport to Vientiane from Vang Vieng
• it takes about 4-5 hours to reach Vientiane from Vang Vieng by bus
• this route is operated by these companies: Soutchai Travel or Malany Transport

B) Private Car / Taxi from Vientiane to Bangkok

• from Vientiane to Bangkok you can also travel by private taxi/car
• it takes about 10 hours to reach Bangkok from Vientiane by private car
• private company to Bangkok from Vientiane: Glassflower
• to book private car from Vientiane to Bangkok costs about $400 (vehicle)
• read this article: How you can travel to Bangkok from Vientiane?

❓ FAQ + TIPS – Travel from Vang Vieng to Bangkok:

1. how to book tickets + flights from vang vieng to bangkok.

• Book tickets/flights from Vang Vieng to Bangkok (via Vientiane) on 12go.asia or Baolau .
• Search and book another routes, e.g. Luang Prabang > Vientiane, Vientiane > Bangkok…

2. How long does it take to travel from Vang Vieng to Bangkok?

• Transport by bus from Vang Vieng to Bangkok (via Vientiane) takes about 15-21 hours.
• Transport by bus + plane from Vang Vieng to Bangkok (via Vientiane) takes about 7-9 hours.
• Transport by bus + train from Vang Vieng to Bangkok (via Vientiane + Nong Khai) takes about 17-23 hours.
• Transport by bus + private car from Vang Vieng to Bangkok (via Vientiane) takes about 15-18 hours.

3. What is the travel distance from Vang Vieng to Bangkok?

• Travel distance from Vang Vieng to Bangkok is about 780 km by land via Vientiane and Nong Khai.

4. How much does it cost to get from Vang Vieng to Bangkok?

• Transport by bus from Vang Vieng to Bangkok (via Vientiane) costs about $23-35/pp.
• Transport by bus + plane from Vang Vieng to Bangkok (via Vientiane) costs about $60-140/pp.
• Transportl by bus + train from Vang Vieng to Bangkok (via Vientiane + Nong Khai) costs about $30-70/pp.
• Transport by bus + private car from Vang Vieng to Bangkok (via Vientiane) costs about $410.

5. Where do you keep your luggage in Bangkok?

• If you want to keep your luggage in Bangkok you can try Radical Storage service. This service offers a few places in the city center of Bangkok, it is a cheap and your luggage will be safe.

6. What is the best way of travel from Vang Vieng to Bangkok?

• The best and fast way how to reach Bangkok in Thailand from Vang Vieng in Laos is to travel by bus and flight via Vientiane. Take a bus or minivan from Vang Vieng to Vientiane and from Vientiane (Wattay International Airport) you can take a direct flight to Bangkok.

7. What is the cheapest way of transport from Vang Vieng to Bangkok?

• If you want to save your money, you should travel by bus or bus+train via Vientiane . You should also know, that this option is not so comfortable because it takes a lot of travel time. The most cheapest option should cost about $23/pp.

8. Is it possible to book private car from Vang Vieng to Bangkok?

• Teoretically it is possible to travel by private car to Bangkok. For your private car from Vang Vieng to Vientiane you can ask at your hotel. And another private car from Vientiane to Bangkok you can book easily online.

9. Is it possible to travel by train from Vang Vieng to Bangkok?

• Yes, you can travel by train from Vang Vieng to Bangkok via Vientiane and Nong Khai. There is a new train in Laos from Vang Vieng to Vientinae and from Nong Khai to Bangkok in Thailand. Nong Khai Railway Station is about 3 km from the Thanaleng border crossing. Read this: How to reach Bangkok from Nong Khai?

10. What to visit on the route from Vang Vieng to Bangkok?

• You can visit Vientiane in Laos or Udon Thani in Thailand. There are buses or minivans from Vientiane to Udon Thani (via Thanaleng) and also buses, trains or direct flights from Udon Thani to Bangkok.

11. Where and how you can travel from Bangkok?

• If you are already in Bangkook, you can travel to Ayutthaya , there are buses, train or private cars. Ayutthaya is very important and fascinating historical site, close to Bangkok, about 70 km from the city. Or you can go to Cambodia – to Phnom Penh , there are buses, trains or direct flights between these cities. You can also go to Ho Chi Minh City .

12. How and where to book hotel in Bangkok?

• Bangkok offers mainly cheap guesthouses, hotels and resorts for tourists. Search and book your hotel or tourist resort in Bangkok in Thailand online here > Book resort or hotel in Bangkok .

13. How to travel solo in Thailand?

• Embark on a solo adventure in Thailand by researching destinations, ensuring personal safety, trying local experiences, connecting with fellow travelers, and savoring the diverse landscapes and attractions the country has to offer. Traveling on your own in Thailand is very popular by travelers. Read this article: Solo Travel in Thailand .

14. What is the weather and climate in Thailand?

• Weather in Thailand varies across three main seasons, creating a tropical climate. The hot season typically spans from March to June, with temperatures ranging from 77°F to 95°F (25°C to 35°C). During this period, the weather is characterized by intense heat and occasional brief showers. The rainy season occurs from July to October, bringing heavy monsoon rains and increased humidity. Average temperatures remain high, ranging from 77°F to 88°F (25°C to 31°C). The cool season, from November to February, is marked by milder temperatures and lower humidity. Average temperatures range from 64°F to 86°F (18°C to 30°C), making it a popular time for tourism.

15. Is traveling and living in Thailand cheap or expensive?

• The cost of traveling and living in Thailand can vary depending on various factors such as lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. Generally, Thailand is known for being a budget-friendly destination, attracting travelers seeking affordable adventures. While Thailand is known for being a budget-friendly destination, costs can vary depending on whether you choose to live in popular tourist areas or less-explored regions. Overall, many people find that the cost of living in Thailand offers good value for money.

16. What is the official currency of Thailand and how to exchange money?

• The official currency of Thailand is the Thai Baht (THB). To exchange money, you can visit banks, currency exchange booths, or use ATMs. Banks typically offer competitive exchange rates, but may charge transaction fees. Currency exchange booths are convenient, often open longer hours, but their rates might be less favorable. Using ATMs connected to banks is a common and convenient option; however, be mindful of potential withdrawal fees from both your home bank and the local Thai bank. Always check rates and fees beforehand to make informed choices.

17. What is the cuisine and food in Thailand and what to expect?

• Thai cuisine is renowned for its vibrant and harmonious flavors, combining sweet, sour, salty, spicy, and bitter elements in each dish. Expect a diverse range of dishes, often aromatic herbs and spices like lemongrass, basil or galangal. Rice, a staple, plays a central role, and street food is a must-try for an authentic culinary experience. Signature dishes include Pad Thai, Tom Yum, Green Curry, and Mango Sticky Rice. Embrace the rich cultural diversity through regional variations, and don’t miss out on the lively street food culture.

BOOK a TOUR / ACTIVITY in Bangkok ➜

4 Ways of Transfer from Vang Vieng to Bangkok:

🎫 Book tickets/flights from Vang Vieng to Bangkok + Schedule:

(You can also book another tickets and routes… e.g. Vang Vieng > Vientiane, Vientiane > Nong Khai…)

Bus Tickets in Thailand ➔

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Travel time from Vang Vieng to Bangkok

How long does it really take to fly from Vang Vieng to Bangkok? Here's a sample itinerary for a commercial flight plan. If you want to know the total travel time to reach Bangkok, you need to include time at the airports. Eventually, you'll be able to customize this itinerary to select other nearby airports and choose your preferred airline.

Tuesday, 2:19 pm :  start in Vang Vieng drive for about 3.5 hours most airlines recommend you get to the airport at least 60 minutes before your flight, so arrive by 6:00 pm at the latest

5:50 pm :  get your boarding pass and go through TSA security allow enough time for long security lines during busy travel seasons or holidays, and prepare for the wait time

6:20 pm :  arrive at the gate once you're ready to board, you can get something to eat in the airport or just relax near the gate

6:35 pm :  prepare for boarding check your boarding pass for your group number or listen to the gate agent as they announce boarding, some airlines require you to be in the boarding area 10-15 minutes before departure or risk losing your seat

6:50 pm :  board Thai Airways International Ltd. flight you can scroll down to view other airlines that fly this route

7:00 pm :  this is your scheduled departure time but remember flights can be delayed, so take that into account it takes the plane an average of 15 minutes to taxi to the runway

7:15 pm :  wheels up! take-off from VTE fly for about 1.5 hours in the air

8:30 pm (local time) :   Don Mueang International (DMK) Bangkok is the same time as Vang Vieng taxi on the runway for an average of 15 minutes to the gate

8:45 pm (local time) :  arrive at the gate at DMK deboard the plane, and claim any baggage if you're renting a car, check if you need to take a shuttle to car rental agency, otherwise you can ride in a cab, limo, or Uber for about 39 minutes to your destination

9:24 pm (local time) :  arrive in Bangkok

Total travel time: 7 hours

How far is Bangkok from Vang Vieng? Here's the quick answer if you have a private jet and you can fly in the fastest possible straight line.

Flight distance: 379 miles or 610 km

Flight time: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Compare this to a whole day of commercial travel with the airports and waiting in line for security, which ends up taking a total of 7 hours, 5 minutes .

Flying private is roughly 7.1x faster , and saves you about 6 hours in your total travel time.

Because of the curvature of the Earth, the shortest distance is actually the "great circle" distance, or "as the crow flies" which is calculated using an iterative Vincenty formula.

This is a relatively short flight in a private plane, but you might be planning to book a commercial flight. In that case, your travel time would really need to include how many minutes to get to your local airport, wait for security, board and taxi on the runway, land at the other airport, and get to your destination. The flight itinerary at the top of the page takes into account all these factors to get a more accurate estimate of your actual flight time .

• Don Mueang International Airport
• Suvarnabhumi Airport

The most common route is VTE to DMK, so that's what we used in the sample itinerary. However, you may want to explore travel alternatives, you could try one of these routes:

• LPQ to BKK Luang Phabang International to Suvarnabhumi International
• VTE to BKK Wattay International to Suvarnabhumi International
• VTE to DMK Wattay International to Don Mueang International
• LPQ to DMK Luang Phabang International to Don Mueang International

We picked Thai Airways International Ltd. for your main flight, but there are other airlines that you should check if you're looking for the cheapest flight, or you need a different schedule. Check the websites of these airlines:

• Thai Airways International Ltd. (TG)

Trippy has a ton of information that can help you plan your trip to Bangkok, Thailand. Start by reading the Trippy page on where to stay in Bangkok . If you're looking for a place to stay, you might want to check out lebua at State Tower . A great place to eat might be Sky Bar . Trippy members can suggest things to do in Bangkok like Wat Pho . Check out some of the questions people have asked about Bangkok like Where is a place that makes good quality suits for a low price? Click the button below to explore Bangkok in detail.

The distance is the same either way if you're flying a straight line. But for a real trip, there can be plenty of differences so go ahead and check the reverse flight itinerary to fly from Bangkok to Vang Vieng , or go to the main page to calculate other flight times .

You can also compare the travel time if you were to drive instead. Get the full itinerary for a Vang Vieng to Bangkok road trip . Or if you're more interested in the distance, How far is it from Vang Vieng to Bangkok?

If you happen to know Vang Vieng, don't forget to help other travelers and answer some questions about Vang Vieng!

Vang Vieng to Bangkok

Best options, other options, vang vieng to bangkok schedule, transportation from vang vieng to bangkok.

• Trains RUB 4,352
• Buses RUB 1,138
• Flights RUB 1,138
• Taxis RUB 3,579
• Vans RUB 1,138
• Ferries are not available

Facts about the transport from Vang Vieng to Bangkok

Popular routes, from vang vieng.

• Vang Vieng → Luang Prabang
• Vang Vieng → Vientiane
• Vang Vieng → Hanoi
• Vang Vieng → Phonsavan
• Vang Vieng → Pakse

To Vang Vieng

• Vientiane → Vang Vieng
• Luang Prabang → Vang Vieng
• Phonsavan → Vang Vieng
• Nong Khiaw → Vang Vieng
• Pakse → Vang Vieng

From Bangkok

• Bangkok → Pattaya
• Bangkok → Chiang Mai
• Bangkok → Phuket
• Bangkok → Koh Samui
• Bangkok → Hua Hin
• Chiang Mai → Bangkok
• Pattaya → Bangkok
• Phuket → Bangkok
• Hua Hin → Bangkok
• Koh Samui → Bangkok

Popular Routes in Laos

• Vientiane → Luang Prabang
• Luang Prabang → Vientiane

How to get from Vang Vieng to Bangkok

When you want to get from Vang Vieng to Bangkok, you have a few options to consider. Traveling between these destinations is possible by different means of transport:

If you’re looking for a quick trip, it’s recommended that you use Flight+bus+van. However, if you’d rather take your time with a slower, more affordable travel option, you can book a Bus+taxi+van ticket.

The cost of travel will depend on the means of transport you choose for your trip. A Bus+taxi+Van ticket is the most expensive option - it will cost you about RUB 3,579 . If you want to save on transportation, it’s better to take a bus+taxi+van as a bus+taxi+van ticket costs as low as RUB 3,579 .

How far is Vang Vieng from Bangkok?

If you’re traveling by land, it’s important to know the distance from Vang Vieng to Bangkok. Your trip will be a total of 169 miles (271 km). The flying distance is 169 miles (271 km).

How long does it take to get from Vang Vieng to Bangkok?

The travel time from Vang Vieng to Bangkok can vary depending on the mode of transportation you choose. All things considered, the whole journey should take from 6 to 22 hours.

How much does it cost to get from Vang Vieng to Bangkok?

The cost of the trip from Vang Vieng to Bangkok varies according to what means of transport you choose for your journey. The most affordable operator is Family Service: travelling by bus+taxi+van expect to pay as low as RUB 3,579 for your ticket.

However, if you’re after more upscale travel . The most expensive variant is to opt for a Bus+taxi+Van - a one-way Bus+taxi+Van ticket can cost as much as RUB 3,579 .

Here is a chart of the average ticket prices and transportation options available from Vang Vieng to Bangkok:

• flight+Bus+Van price: RUB 1,138 . From Vang Vieng to Bangkok starting from 09:00 Luang Prabang Southern Station until 09:00 Luang Prabang Southern Station
• Bus+taxi+Van price: RUB 3,579 . From Vang Vieng to Bangkok starting from 08:30 Vang Vieng Hotel Transfer until 11:30 Vang Vieng Hotel Transfer
• Bus+Train price: RUB 4,352 . From Vang Vieng to Bangkok starting from 09:00 Udon Thani 1 until 09:00 Udon Thani 1

How many trips per day are there between Vang Vieng and Bangkok?

Depending on your choice of transportation, the number of daily trips varies.

• 2 by Bus+taxi+Van from Vang Vieng to Bangkok starting from 08:30 Vang Vieng Hotel Transfer until 11:30 Vang Vieng Hotel Transfer

The most popular transport from Vang Vieng to Bangkok

How to choose the most convenient way of travel from Vang Vieng to Bangkok? In order to make your choice of transportation easier, we asked 1000 users to range their preferences for this route. Here are the results of the poll:

• 100% chosen Bus+taxi+Van
• Transport Options