Facts about the bus from Vientiane to Chiang Mai
| Cheapest Bus | $36 |
| Fastest Bus | 15h |
| Earliest Bus | 1:30 午後 |
| Latest Bus | 3:00 午後 |
| Daily Bus Routes | 3 |
| Distance | 2126 kilometers |
| Bus Companies | Family Service, RG Adventure, Soutchai Travel, Tara Tour and Travel |
Buses from Vientiane to Chiang Mai
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Vientiane to Chiang Mai Destination Reviews
CB
Charlotte BFully understanding this company is local, I get why they only speak their language. However, when you have a large percentage of travelers who are tourists, and a vast majority of them speak English, it might be a good idea to have a local who is multi-lingual to assist travelers at the bus station AND on the bus. The stops that offer toilet breaks is confusing when people are constantly loading and unloading throughout the trip. At the very least, the rest stops should be listed on 12Go's site when purchasing the ticket, or on the app, or via text (LINE, Whatsapp) before arriving at the stop so passengers can prepare. The transfer was horrendous! Was told IN WRITING via email, "Vientiane Transfer" meant I'd be picked up at my hotel, only to find out, it was too far out, which caused me to miss the bus AND had to pay another night at the hotel. Next day took a taxi to one of the pickup places (One Vientiane Hotel) only to be told to walk (with all my luggage) to what appeared to be a laundry location, to wait for transportation to the bus station. I could've just gone to the bus station, it was closer to my hotel than the pickup spot and less LAK! Then, while waiting, the laundry person's cat, which I'm not a fan of (not a cat person) kept bothering me. It was annoying and uncomfortable, she kept calling it away. After waiting for 40 minutes she hurries me into a car with 2 other people and drives like a lunatic while arguing with someone on her cell. Get to the bus station (where I could've gone in the first place) load the bus after 30+ minutes of waiting, get to the LAO border and immigration to check out, back to the van, to Thailand immigration/boarder, then to the final bus to get back to CM. The experience was INSANE, with no one explaining anything. We all were just following each other. The best thing was the lady who waited for all passengers to get through Immigration before we boarded the van, to get to our respective buses at different locations. She spoke enough English to communicate with us effectively. I hope she gets paid very well, cause that seems like a harrowing job. But I was very thankful for her and her assistance during the entire debacle. Finally, the bus to CM arrived, but it was shaky, meaning it rocked side-to-side, and the suspension had us bouncing like balls. We were ROCKING AND ROLLING, literally! Not fun, through winding roads in the mountains! I've taken several bus lines before, but will never use this one again. Unfortunately it was the only one available for the time I wanted to get back to CM. Next time I'll fly.
Vientiane to Chiang Mai, Bus VIP, Soutchai Travel (ບໍລິສັດ ສຸດໃຈທ່ອງທ່ຽວ ຈໍາກັດຜູ້ດຽວ), Nov 15, 2025
B
Baylee The steps for purchasing the tickets were unclear and when the driver dropped us off at the first bus station they didn’t tell us anything but the rest they were good about making sure we knew where to go. And then they said we were going VIP and when we got there it was a total different bus and we were told we were to Nong Khai but they dropped us at Udon where nothing was opened and we were not able to get anything to eat and they didn’t stop. The transportation to and from the border was great but after that we didn’t have great service
Vientiane to Chiang Mai, Bus Standard, Family Service (Family Service), Oct 7, 2025
HW
Hal WExcellent service, small problems rectified with a smile.
Vientiane to Chiang Mai, Bus Standard, Family Service (Family Service), Jul 5, 2025
HW
Heinrich W3 hours waiting at the station. .
Vientiane to Chiang Mai, Bus Express, Tara Tour and Travel (ธาราทัวร์แอนด์ทราเวล), Jun 12, 2025
C
Camilo The trip that should take approximately 10-11 hrs and 1-2 buses, instead became a 19 & 1/2 hr trip and consisted of a taxi ride from Vientiane to the laos border @ 3pm, then a bus to the Thai border, 45 minute wait, then a taxi to Nong khai bus station, a hour wait, then a 1 hr bus trip to Udon Thani bus station, then another 2 hr wait, then a 11 & 1/2 hr bus ride to Chiang Mai, arriving at 9.30 am. Considering a bus ride from Vientiane to Bangkok is only around 11-12hrs . The tour company should maybe a little more transparent about the 6 transfers and the 20 hr journey, instead of the 14 hr , seemingly hassle free service they claim to provide.
Vientiane to Chiang Mai, Bus Standard, Family Service (Family Service), May 19, 2025
Vientiane to Chiang Mai Bus Schedule
| Operator | Class | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tara Tour and Travel | Express | 13:30 | 05:00 | $54.13 | |
Tara Tour and Travel | Express Bus 38pax | 13:30 | 07:30 | $54.13 | |
Tara Tour and Travel | Express | 13:30 | 07:30 | $54.13 | |
Soutchai Travel | VIP-Class | 14:00 | 03:00 | $45.00 | |
Family Service | Taxi + Sitting Bus | 15:00 | 06:00 | $43.31 | |
Family Service | Standard | 15:00 | 06:00 | $43.31 | |
Soutchai Travel | VIP | 15:00 | 08:00 | $28.05 | |
RG Adventure | Taxi + Song Taew + Van + Bus | 15:00 | 04:30 | $77.33 |
How to get from Vientiane to Chiang Mai by bus
Bus travel remains one of the most affordable and convenient ways to travel between many destinations. Getting from Vientiane to Chiang Mai 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 Vientiane to Chiang Mai 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 Vientiane from Chiang Mai?
If travelling by bus, you will cover the distance of 2126 km between Vientiane and Chiang Mai.
How long does it take to get from Vientiane to Chiang Mai by bus?
Buses normally need between 18h and 18h hours to get to Chiang Mai from Vientiane. 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, Tara Tour and Travel (ธาราทัวร์แอนด์ทราเวล) offers the fastest service. Tara Tour and Travel (ธาราทัวร์แอนด์ทราเวล) 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 Vientiane to Chiang Mai 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 Vientiane and Chiang Mai remains an affordable option. The cheapest ticket is offered by Tara Tour and Travel (ธาราทัวร์แอนด์ทราเวล) and costs USD 60.86. A Tara Tour and Travel (ธาราทัวร์แอนด์ทราเวล)'s ticket will set you back USD 60.86 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 Vientiane to Chiang Mai
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Buses$ 35.12
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Flights$ 195.96
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Taxis$ 84.77
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Vans$ 35.12
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Trains are not available
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Ferries are not available