Buses from Hanoi to Luang Prabang

Buses from Hanoi to Luang Prabang

Hanoi
Luang Prabang
Mon, Jan 12
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Hanoi to Luang Prabang Destination Reviews

RH
Even in very demanding situations they find a solution for you.
Hanoi to Luang Prabang, Bus VIP 20 + Van, Sapa Discovery Travel, Dec 20, 2025
SM
The night bus is good but after We stay 8h in a very very bad car with no seat and no place and the driver stop every 5min.. Very upset
Hanoi to Luang Prabang, Bus VIP 20 + Van + Train, Sapa Discovery Travel, Oct 21, 2025
LM
Arrived at 12:30am - over 9 hours later than originally stated. Very few bathroom breaks or opportunities to eat - I was incredibly ill from dehydration and having had little to eat by the end of the 18 hours on two different vans
Hanoi to Luang Prabang, Bus VIP 20 + Van + Train, Sapa Discovery Travel, Aug 11, 2025
MP
Heard lots of bad reviews about Sapa and we were really scared about our first sleeper bus. One thing to admit, the operator really tries to go beyond to ensure we reach our destination. They were very caring and helpful. Our trip was from Hanoi to Luang Prabang and trains were out of service in Laos. But the operator made sure we reached safely. Only note to add: the sleeper bus itself was very dirty and smelly and hygiene is definitely an issue. We couldn't sleep at night because of the urine smell and stickyness on the mattress.
Hanoi to Luang Prabang, Bus VIP 20 + Van + Train, Sapa Discovery Travel, Jul 28, 2025
韦
Well, the glossy brochures often paint a picture of seamless, comfortable travel across Southeast Asia. And while I'm all for embracing the journey, sometimes the "luxury" label gets stretched thinner than a well-worn travel budget. My recent overnight jaunt from Dien Bien Phu to Luang Prabang was aboard one of these so-called "luxury" sleeper buses. Now, let's be clear, the concept is appealing – a horizontal slumber while the miles melt away. And in fairness, the bus did have beds, or rather, narrow, slightly inclined platforms that vaguely resembled beds. Personal space, as is often the case on these long-haul adventures, was at a premium. Think Tetris, but with bodies and a distinct lack of smooth, sliding movements. The air conditioning, bless its heart, seemed to operate on an "arctic blast or nothing" principle, so layers became your best friend – fluctuating wildly between feeling like you were in a meat locker and then briefly thawing out in a pocket of slightly less frigid air. The journey itself, well, it was certainly an *experience*. The roads in this part of the world have a character all their own, and our driver seemed determined to introduce us to every single bump and curve. Sleep came in fits and starts, punctuated by the occasional enthusiastic honking, the glow of oncoming headlights through the thin curtains, and the general symphony of a bus full of fellow adventurers trying to find a comfortable position. But here's the thing – amidst the minor discomforts and the slightly exaggerated claims of luxury, there's a certain charm to this mode of travel. You're sharing an experience with locals and other travelers, all on the same mission to reach their destination. You see snippets of life unfolding outside the window, even in the darkness. And there's a real sense of accomplishment when you finally arrive, perhaps a little rumpled, but having covered a significant distance. So, was it a five-star luxury suite on wheels? Not exactly. Was it a memorable and ultimately effective way to get from Hanoi to Luang Prabang? Absolutely. You just need to pack your sense of humor, a good travel pillow, and maybe an extra blanket. Because sometimes, the best travel stories come from those journeys that are just a little rough around the edges. It certainly makes for a more interesting anecdote than "the flight was on time and the seats reclined nicely," doesn't it?
Hanoi to Luang Prabang, Bus VIP 20 + Van + Train, Sapa Discovery Travel, Jul 19, 2025
KR
You get dropped off in the most random places but it works out at the end. Works better if you have wifi. We didn't have wifi and had to buy train tickets ourselves. But overall it was a good experience.
Hanoi to Luang Prabang, Bus VIP 20 + Van + Train, Sapa Discovery Travel, Jun 27, 2025
FM
We took the Nightbus in Hanoi (which was good) and Luckily took some food with us!! We didn’t stop at a single place to have dinner and after crossing the border we Stoppt at only one place which had food but no atm (no chance to get some money to pay it). In total it was like 20hours without food. The bus we took after the Night-Bus had more people in it then seats and wasn’t comfortable at all. Furthermore We arrived at our destination much later then the ticket proclaimed even tho we only stopped 2 times for like 10min each during the whole trip (Hanoi -> LuangPrabang). Therefore the arrival time on the ticket just seems like an made up time. Also we needed an extra ticket for the train which they send us a screenshot which technically is ok but we got Lucky to connect to a Wifi on our second stop else we wouldn’t have received it.
Hanoi to Luang Prabang, Bus VIP 20 + Van + Train, Sapa Discovery Travel, Jun 1, 2025
JL
Bus from Hanoi to Luang Prabang: Pro: - cheap - an experience you won‘t forget - you can sleep for 30+ hours Con: - 31 hours instead of 24 hours (to be expected in Asia) - roads on Laos side are miserable. We were driving 20 km/h there - frequent stops to load parcels or people (to be expected in Asia) - bus overbooked so Vietnamese guests that joined at later bus stops had to sleep on the floor (to be expected in Asia) - no sockets/plugs, toilet, wifi, … -> very old bus Tbh, I enjoyed the drive, but many people hated their ride Recommendations: Bring WARM clothes and all that you have to keep yourself warm in your carry-on backpack Bring loads of snacks/dry food that won‘t expire Change some money to USD so you can pay in restaurants on the Laos side.
Hanoi to Luang Prabang, Bus Semi Sleeper, HTX Van Tai 277 (HTX Vận Tải 27-7), Dec 1, 2024
EH
6 hours late... Arrived at 1h in luang prabang
Hanoi to Luang Prabang, Bus Semi Sleeper, HTX Van Tai 277 (HTX Vận Tải 27-7), Mar 10, 2024
JF
Good
Hanoi to Luang Prabang, Bus Semi Sleeper, HTX Van Tai 277 (HTX Vận Tải 27-7), Jan 30, 2024
4.4
52 customer reviews
5
27%
4
12%
3
23%
2
38%
1
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Hanoi to Luang Prabang Bus Schedule

OperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
Techbus VN JSC
Sleeper 40
14:55
17:55
€38.70
To Vietnam Travel
Sleeper 41
15:30
18:30
€47.35
  2.0
Techbus VN JSC
Van + Sleeper Bus
15:30
18:00
€47.52
Grouptour
Sleeper 41
16:10
16:55
€41.80
Techbus VN JSC
Sleeper 40
16:50
17:50
€38.70
  5.0
Techbus VN JSC
Sleeper 40
17:00
18:00
€38.70
Techbus VN JSC
Sleeper 40
17:30
17:30
€38.73
Grouptour
Sleeper 41
17:30
19:50
€36.90
  4.0
HTX Van Tai 277
Sleeper Bus
18:00
19:00
€35.27
Techbus VN JSC
Sleeper 40
18:00
18:00
€38.73
HTX Van Tai 277
VIP Sleeper 41
18:00
19:00
€37.56
HTX Van Tai 277
Semi Sleeper
18:00
19:00
€35.27
Sapa Discovery Travel
VIP 20 + Van + Train
20:00
15:00
€39.19
Sapa Discovery Travel
VIP 20 + Van + Train
20:00
13:00
€37.56
Sapa Discovery Travel
VIP 20 + Van + Train
20:00
15:00
€45.72
Asian Bus Travel
Royal Cabin + Van + Train
20:15
15:15
€39.19
  2.0
Sapa Discovery Travel
VIP 20 + Van + Train
21:00
14:50
€35.27
  3.1
Laos Luxury Travel
Vip 22 + Van + Train
21:00
14:00
€41.18

How to get from Hanoi to Luang Prabang by bus

Bus travel remains one of the most affordable and convenient ways to travel between many destinations. Getting from Hanoi to Luang Prabang by bus may not be the fastest way of travel, yet many travellers prefer to rely on the bus on this route; with easy online booking and tickets of different classes for all tastes and budgets available, the bus from Hanoi to Luang Prabang a conscious and budget-friendly option.

Check the timetable before you book your ticket and read other travellers’ reviews to choose the trip that suits you best. Note that there may be several bus terminals at your departure or arrival point – always double-check where you are leaving from and arriving to. It may prove crucial if you have connecting trips.

Here is the list of operators serving the route: .

How far is Hanoi from Luang Prabang?

If travelling by bus, you will cover the distance of 1325 km between Hanoi and Luang Prabang.

How long does it take to get from Hanoi to Luang Prabang by bus?

Buses normally need between 19h and 1d 1h hours to get to Luang Prabang from Hanoi. Note that the travel time is for your reference only and can depend on different factors such as traffic and weather conditions. Heavy rainfalls almost inevitably make the trip longer due to poor visibility or floods. Road and surface repairs which happen quite often, result in detours and longer travel times. Major national holidays, long weekends, or peak season periods may cause delays both in departures and arrivals – plan accordingly to avoid disappointment, especially if you have further connections and a tight schedule.

On this route, Asian Bus Travel offers the fastest service. HTX Van Tai 277 (HTX Vận Tải 27-7) buses usually take the longest time to complete the journey.

Remember, though, that tickets offering the shortest travel time are normally the most expensive ones. Yet it pays to spend a bit more to ensure your bus goes direct without additional stops and uses highways instead of local roads.

How much does it cost to get from Hanoi to Luang Prabang by bus?

The price of your bus ticket will depend not only on the distance you need to cover but on the class of your coach. E.g. expect to shell out more for VIP or sleeper buses while ordinary buses though being the cheapest option, often are a compromise on comfort and travel time. Of course, they do their job, too, and can be the only option if you hop on/off in the middle of the route.

Anyway, travelling by bus between Hanoi and Luang Prabang remains an affordable option. The cheapest ticket is offered by HTX Van Tai 277 (HTX Vận Tải 27-7) and costs EUR 43.19. A Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour)'s ticket will set you back EUR 43.19 on average.

Travelling by bus essentials

  • If you are planning to travel during the high season, weekends, or national holidays, booking your bus tickets in advance is highly recommended. The demand is at its highest, yet very often, the number of coaches serving the route remains the same. The earlier you reserve your seat, the better. On some routes, you need to secure your ticket more than a month in advance; on others, a couple-of-days advanced booking is enough. During such periods, try to book online beforehand whenever possible, as showing up at the bus station without a ticket may result in many-hours of waiting in the queue or leave you downright stranded.
  • VIP, 1st, Gold, and similar bus tickets are the most expensive option, but they provide a higher level of comfort. Normally the price of such tickets will include wide soft reclining seats, blankets, water and snacks or lunch, and sometimes some toiletries. Upper-class buses travel faster, make fewer stops during the route, and normally provide more spacious seating to their passengers and a better travel experience.
  • Not all buses have an on-board toilet, but generally, for all trips longer than three hours, all operators schedule a bathroom and/or a lunch stop. While operators definitely do their best to keep on-board toilets clean, the smell may be an issue sometimes. For longer trips, booking a seat a bit farther from the toilet may be a good idea. Also, using bathroom stops for your toilet needs is always better than trying to find your balance in an on-board toilet on the run.
  • If you travel by an air-con bus, make sure to pack layers. A hoodie, a warm scarf, or a beanie hat may prove a good idea. Air-conditioning on buses tends to be excessive, and running nose and sore throats abound after even not the longest bus rides.
  • Always use the security belts even if your bus ride attendant or driver does not insist on it. Your safety comes first – for you, for sure. All buses normally are equipped with security belts, but they may be fixed behind your seat. Take time to find the belt and fix it appropriately.
  • To avoid being disturbed by overhead lights, switched on during stops even at night, and too loud music or sound from the on-board entertainment system, have earplugs and a sleeping mask at hand.
  • As a courtesy to other passengers, avoid using strong perfumes or smelly foods. Some foods like cheeses or durians are forbidden to take on-board – check in advance. Alcohol is also prohibited on the majority of buses.
  • Note that if the bus requires refuelling en-route, passengers will be asked to get off the bus. Operators are not allowed to refuel with passengers on board due to safety reasons. Usually, it takes from 5 to 10 minutes and is often combined with a toilet/lunch stop.
  • If not stated otherwise in your tickets, arrive at the bus station 20-30 minutes before departure. It will give you enough time to find the departure platform and check-in. For international trips, you may need more time for check-in and border formalities.

Transportation from Hanoi to Luang Prabang

Facts about the bus from Hanoi to Luang Prabang

Cheapest Bus€44
Fastest Bus19h
Earliest Bus3:00 오후
Latest Bus9:00 오후
Daily Bus Routes5
Distance1325 kilometers
Bus CompaniesAsian Bus Travel, Grouptour, HT Travel, HTX Van Tai 277, Sapa Discovery Travel