Buses from Vientiane to Pakse

Buses from Vientiane to Pakse

Vientiane
Pakse
Sun, Mar 29
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Vientiane to Pakse Destination Reviews

EO
Ellice O
Honestly, this was a pretty awful experience. Out of a completely full bus, the only two English couples were conveniently placed right next to a deafening, broken air-conditioning unit. It was incredibly loud all night and made it almost impossible to sleep. On top of that, staff kept tapping and shouting at us throughout the night, but we still have no idea what they actually wanted. The service felt chaotic and quite aggressive at times. To make matters worse, the bus arrived two hours early, and we were dropped off in a completely random place in the middle of the night, leaving us scrambling to figure out where we were and how to continue our journey. At $20 each, it really isn’t worth the hassle. If you have the option, honestly just fly instead.
Vientiane to Pakse, Bus Sleeper, Family Service (Family Service), Mar 14, 2026
JD
James D
I booked with the most expensive carrier because it was the only one that had individual berths. Two German women I met bought the cheapest carrier for $12 less than I paid and we all were on the same bus by an entirely different carrier. I had to share my berth with another man. The mattress was extremely hard and uncomfortable but the road was smooth and we arrived one and one half hour earlier than expected.
Vientiane to Pakse, Bus Sleeper, RG Adventure (RG Adventure), Mar 7, 2026
MC
Mina C
Chaotic and we were a bit late, but pretty good overall
Vientiane to Pakse, Bus Sleeper Bus, Laos Easy Go Travel, Feb 27, 2026
LA
Luke A
It's a bit cramped if you're tall but was fine for one night. Arrived early which was nice. Lights go off pretty early which is annoying If you're not tired. No curtains for privacy either
Vientiane to Pakse, Bus Sleeper, Family Service (Family Service), Feb 25, 2026
EZ
Elzbieta Z
I think the bus station is a bit to navigate. When it's not big or super confusing to navigate. The moment the bus is ready to board could be more clear.
Vientiane to Pakse, Bus Sleeper, Chit Prasong (ຈິດປະສົງ), Feb 24, 2026
SA
Sophia A
Toilet was flooded, people behind us were puking, some were taking pictures of us, no privacy, bumpy ride, and they dropped us off in the middle of the road, not at the bus stop we should’ve been dropped at. But at least we arrived quite a lot earlier than expected so that was nice.
Vientiane to Pakse, Bus Sleeper, Chit Prasong (ຈິດປະສົງ), Feb 12, 2026
EL
Ella L
The bus was not the bus that was provided in the photos. Took a long time to confirm reservation. 12go said to be at hotel 30 minutes before departure - wasnt until we messaged the company directly that we found out we need to be there an hour early. If we didnt message then we would have missed our bus… bus broke down 30 minutes into journey and left us on the bus without any AC. Areived 2 hours late.
Vientiane to Pakse, Bus Sleeper Bus, Laos Easy Go Travel, Feb 8, 2026
GA
Garth A
No issues, departed and arrived on-time. Booked two "seats" so that I would not have to share the sleeping bed with a stranger. Blankets and pillows, seemed clean enough. It is an old bus, and recommend to use the lavatory before boarding. Road is rough in places, but still able to sleep for more than half the trip.
Vientiane to Pakse, Bus Sleeper, Kriangkai Transport (Kriangkai Transport), Jan 31, 2026
DM
Davide M
Shared bed for a high price - power socket not working
Vientiane to Pakse, Bus Sleeper, Family Service (Family Service), Jan 20, 2026
JV
Johanna V
Pretty nice on the way to Pakse. Nothing to complain about. Clean and fast. On the way back it was freezing the aircon was so cold all of us were shivering, and we got stopped while police searched bus
Vientiane to Pakse, Bus Minivan + Sleeper Bus, Soutchai Travel (ບໍລິສັດ ສຸດໃຈທ່ອງທ່ຽວ ຈໍາກັດຜູ້ດຽວ), Jan 18, 2026
4.4
169 customer reviews
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Vientiane to Pakse Bus Schedule

OperatorClassDeparture TimeArrival TimePriceRating
MMB Travel
Sleeper Bus
08:00
20:00
$30.00
Chanthachone Transportation
Sleeping Bus
17:00
06:00
$21.03
Soutchai Travel
Sleeper
18:00
06:00
$13.01
Family Service
Taxi + Sleeping Bus
18:00
07:00
$21.65
  3.0
Soutchai Travel
Sleeper
18:00
07:00
$18.00
  3.7
Chanthachone Transportation
Sleeping Bus
18:00
06:00
$16.39
  4.0
Family Service
Standard
18:00
07:00
$20.11
Soutchai Travel
Minivan + Sleeper Bus
18:00
06:00
$13.01
Sarah Transport
Sleeper 40
18:30
07:30
$19.60
Sarah Transport
Standard
18:30
08:00
$28.00
Chanthachone Transportation
Sleeper
19:00
08:00
$23.20
Chit Prasong
Sleeper
20:00
09:00
$16.33
  4.0
Kriangkai Transport
Sleeper
20:00
09:00
$20.11
  4.0
Green Paradise
Sleeper
20:00
06:00
$16.39
  2.3
KP 79 Transportation
Sleeper
20:00
09:00
$21.00
  3.4
RG Adventure
Sleeper
20:00
09:00
$21.03
  4.0
Chanthachone Transportation
Sleeper
20:00
08:00
$18.56
KP 79 Transportation
Sleeper Bus
20:00
07:00
$21.00
MMB Travel
Sleeper Bus
20:00
08:00
$30.00

How to get from Vientiane to Pakse by bus

Bus travel remains one of the most affordable and convenient ways to travel between many destinations. Getting from Vientiane to Pakse 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 Pakse 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 Pakse?

If travelling by bus, you will cover the distance of 851 km between Vientiane and Pakse.

How long does it take to get from Vientiane to Pakse by bus?

Buses normally need between 7h 45m and 13h hours to get to Pakse 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, Sarah Transport Laos (Sarah Transport Sole Co., Ltd) offers the fastest service. Kriangkai Transport 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 Pakse 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 Pakse remains an affordable option. The cheapest ticket is offered by Family Service and costs USD 23.20. A Sarah Transport Laos (Sarah Transport Sole Co., Ltd)'s ticket will set you back USD 23.20 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 Pakse

Facts about the bus from Vientiane to Pakse

Cheapest Bus$19
Fastest Bus7h 45m
Earliest Bus5:00 PM
Latest Bus8:00 PM
Daily Bus Routes13
Distance851 kilometers
Bus CompaniesChanthachone Transportation, Chit Prasong, Family Service, Green Paradise, KP 79 Transportation, Kriangkai Transport, RG Adventure, Sarah Transport Laos, Soutchai Travel