Facts about the van from Luang Prabang to Vientiane
| Cheapest Van | $18 |
| Fastest Van | 6h |
| Earliest Van | 7:00 AM |
| Latest Van | 6:30 PM |
| Daily Van Routes | 10 |
| Distance | 500 kilometers |
| Van Companies | Luang Prabang Holiday Travel, Naluang, Vieng Chaleune |
Vans from Luang Prabang to Vientiane
Recommended
Transport type
Price
Departure
Departure Station
Arrival
Arrival Station
Transportation from Luang Prabang to Vientiane
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Trains$ 22.75
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Buses$ 16.53
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Flights$ 78.29
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Taxis$ 17.38
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Vans$ 17.38
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Ferries are not available
Luang Prabang to Vientiane Destination Reviews
LW
Leslie WAn over-full minivan: drivers wait for too many people than seats and seatbelts before going :-( that is not comfortable for the price but most important: this is not safe for people. We were also 30' late?
Luang Prabang to Vientiane, Van Regional 14pax, Vieng Chaleune (เวียงเจริญ), Feb 14, 2024
DC
Danni CSo many potholes that it was very bumpy however the driver did a great job of getting us through it safely.
Luang Prabang to Vientiane, Van Regional 14pax, Vieng Chaleune (เวียงเจริญ), Dec 6, 2023
K
Karita There was a driver+ 25 passengers (incl. 4 toddlers) in a van!! Even the local people were not satisfied. There were of course not seat belts for anyone. The driver drove dangerously. The trip took 10hrs. Luckily co-passengers were very nice and friendly.
Luang Prabang to Vientiane, Van Regional 14pax, Naluang (Naluang), Nov 25, 2023
GH
Gemma HBooked a 14 seater minivan to leave at 7:30 am, was told there was no bus at 7:30 but was leaving at 8:30. Had a flight to catch leaving us worried we would miss it. There was 20 people on a 14 seater minivan so be prepared for cramped conditions in hot weather so wasn’t pleasant.
On the positive side it only took 7 hours not the 10 specified so caught the flight on time. Great service from 12go though. Easy service booking the tickets and great communication. Got us from A to B
Luang Prabang to Vientiane, Van Regional 14pax, Vieng Chaleune (เวียงเจริญ), Feb 9, 2023
DM
Davide MThe bus left more than an hour late. It arrived late at its destination. The bus was packed, there were more people than seats
This review was autotranslated
Luang Prabang to Vientiane, Van Regional 14pax, Naluang (Naluang), Nov 19, 2022
Popular Routes
From Luang Prabang
To Luang Prabang
From Vientiane
How to get from Luang Prabang to Vientiane by van
Vans are a faster alternative to buses; vans usually offer more scheduled departures than buses or other means of transport over the same route; vans may serve the routes not served by buses, trains, or flights. What other reasons do you need to opt for a van? Ah! Very often, they are much more affordable than any other means of transport. Van from Luang Prabang to Vientiane departs regularly according to the schedule and is a decent option to get to your destination at a reasonable price. Now van tickets can be booked online what makes planning of your trip more convenient. Before you book your van ticket, remember to read other travellers’ reviews on your operator’s service to ensure it meets your expectations.
Currently the following operators can help you to travel from Luang Prabang to Vientiane by van: .
How far is Luang Prabang from Vientiane?
Luang Prabang sits 500 km from Vientiane.
How long does it take to get from Luang Prabang to Vientiane by van?
Vans cover the distance between Luang Prabang and Vientiane in 8h – 8h hours. Do note that though vans usually stick to their schedule, your journey can take longer if traffic is excessive or the weather is bad. The worst periods in the sense of violation of the timetable is long weekends, national holidays, school vacations and peak season. With roads stuck with traffic do expect delays. Stormy weather with heavy rains or snowfalls can also cause your arrival time to change. Yet in general you can rely on the timing declared by the operator.
The fastest service on this route is provided by Vieng Chaleune (เวียงเจริญ). Vieng Chaleune (เวียงเจริญ)’s vans travel slower than others.
How much does it cost to get from Luang Prabang to Vientiane by van?
Opposite to, say, buses, normally vans do not offer a great variety in the sense of ticket class hence the price of the ticket is the same for all seats in a van. Note that some seats offer more comfort during the ride. E.g. in some vans the passenger seat by the driver is also available. If you are lucky enough to get it, you may have more space and definitely a better view there. Similarly, in some vans seats in the back row may be a disappointment as they do not recline due to the trunk filled with travellers’ luggage.
To hop onto a van between Luang Prabang and Vientiane expect to pay from USD 17.99 to USD 22.14. The more convenient the ride, the more you pay – either for extra space or for less stops enroute. Vieng Chaleune (เวียงเจริญ) is the cheapest operator on the route while Luang Prabang Holiday Travel is the most expensive one.
Travelling by van essentials
- Ensure to check carefully from where your van departs. In many cases vans are stationed not at the city main bus station but elsewhere. Individual van operators may have their own van stops located anywhere, and one and the same operator may sell tickets to their vans from different stops. If you are planning a bus-van connection, be sure you understand where to catch your van as it is easy to assume that vans leave from the same station where buses arrive. No, it is not necessarily so!
- There are different types of vans accommodating from 9 to 15 or more passengers. While on certain routes you have no alternative, on others you can choose. The rule of thumb – fewer seats mean more leg space and more comfort. As well as more money for your ticket. But this is probably the case when it is worth investing into your seat a bit more.
- Vans accommodating more passengers are often cramped and do not provide any additional space for your luggage. In many cases your ticket will include only one piece of luggage, often with limited weight. If you travel with huge suitcases or backpacks you may want – or even need – to buy an extra seat for your luggage. Before booking an extra seat for your luggage though do check with the operator if they allow it. If you did buy a separate seat for your luggage, and the driver during the way tries to pick up an extra passenger to put on a “vacant” seat, insist on right to use it as you paid for it.
- There are obviously no on board toilets in vans but if your journey lasts over two or three hours there will normally be one or more bathroom stop(s) enroute. During the bathroom stop, take a note of your van number plate when you get off. It will make it easier for you to find the van among similar vehicles and in an unhappy case (hypothetically!) of van leaving without you, you can at least report it to the operator.
- Van drivers are notorious for their driving style. Though many companies enforce strict speed limits on their vehicles they are often not observed. This is probably a major downside of van travel in some countries. Anyway, if speed limits are violated do not be shy to ask the driver to go slower. Normally there will be an information plate with the telephone numbers to call if your driver violates traffic rules – report each such case without hesitation. Also, do leave your review if not satisfied with the service to warn other travellers.
- It is compulsory to use belts for all the van passengers. Even if your driver does not insist on it, use the belt for your own safety. Belts are sometimes fixed behind your seat – do not hesitate to release them and use as they are intended to be used.
- Many vans do not have scheduled departures but depart when full. Sometimes waiting periods can be long, especially if you happen to come immediately after the previous van has departed or just in the end of the day when there are not so many passengers. Always make sure you understand whether your ticket is for a scheduled trip or otherwise. Normally operators who allow online booking of their tickets, provide scheduled service meaning your van will depart on time no matter how many passengers show up for the trip.