Four Ways to Get to Vientiane
Until last year, getting from Bangkok to Vientiane by train was a multi-step ordeal: an overnight to Nong Khai, a shuttle across the Friendship Bridge, then a tuk-tuk into town. That changed in 2024, when the State Railway of Thailand extended Train #133 all the way to a brand-new station in Vientiane. You can now sleep in Bangkok and wake up in Laos — no border changeover, no transfers, no negotiating with drivers at sunrise.
But the train isn't the only option, and it isn't always the right one. There are still cheap direct flights, overnight VIP buses, and a handful of less obvious routes that locals use. We're based in Vientiane, so we've spent a lot of time helping friends figure out the best way to get here from Bangkok. This guide breaks down every option honestly — what it actually costs, how long it really takes, and which one we'd recommend depending on what you care about.
The Direct Train (#133)
If you'd asked us this question two years ago, the train would have been a footnote — a slow, fragmented journey for budget travelers with patience to spare. Today, it's our top recommendation for most people.
The State Railway of Thailand launched Train #133 in 2024 as the first true direct service between the two capitals. You board at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (Bang Sue Grand Station) at 21:25, sleep through the night in a 2nd-class air-conditioned sleeper berth, and step off at Vientiane (Khamsavath) Station at 09:05 the next morning. Total journey: 11 hours and 40 minutes, including the border stop at Nong Khai.
Cost: roughly $25–35 USD for a 2nd-class sleeper (lower berths a few dollars more than upper). That's cheaper than a single night in a mid-range Bangkok hotel, and you arrive rested instead of jet-lagged.
What to know before you book
Book early. The service has been popular since launch and routinely sells out 2-3 weeks in advance, especially on weekends and holidays. Tickets are bookable through 12Go or directly via the State Railway of Thailand website. We'd suggest booking the moment you have your dates.
There's no 1st class on Train #133. If you want a private cabin, there's a workaround: take Special Express #25 to Nong Khai instead (it has 12 first-class cabins), arrive Nong Khai at 06:45, then switch to Train #133 when it pulls in around 07:55. You'll pay more and add some hassle, but you get a private sleeper.
The arrival station is 8km from Vientiane city center. Khamsavath Station is brand new but isolated — there's a coffee shop, basic toilets, and not much else. From the station, take a public bus into town (Bus #12 to Morning Market, ~30 minutes, 20,000 kip / about $1) or a Loca/inDrive ride-hail.
The border crossing happens during the train stop at Nong Khai. You'll walk to Thai immigration at the station (about 40 minutes for processing), reboard the same train, and clear Lao immigration on arrival at Khamsavath. No bridge shuttles, no separate bus tickets, no negotiating with anyone. This is the part that used to make this journey miserable, and now it's just… normal.
Why we recommend it
For the price of a budget flight, you save a night of accommodation, skip airport security twice, sleep horizontally, and arrive in Vientiane at a civilized hour. The only travelers we'd steer away from this option are people on tight schedules (just fly), people who can't sleep on trains (also fly), and people who genuinely want the cheaper bus experience.
Flying
If your time is worth more than your money — or if you're connecting from an international flight — flying is the obvious choice. Direct flights from Bangkok to Vientiane take just 1 hour 15 minutes in the air.
The cheapest direct option is AirAsia from Don Mueang (DMK), with fares starting around $40–60 if booked a few weeks ahead. Lao Airlines, Thai Airways, and Bangkok Airways fly direct from Suvarnabhumi (BKK) at $100–180 — more expensive but convenient if you're connecting from a long-haul flight.
The local hack: fly to Udon Thani instead
Most travel guides skip this, but it's worth knowing: flying to Udon Thani (Thailand) and busing across the border is often cheaper, faster door-to-door, and more flexible than flying directly to Vientiane.
AirAsia, Nok Air, and Lion Air run multiple daily flights from Bangkok to Udon Thani (~50 minutes, often under $40). From Udon Thani Airport, an international shuttle bus drops you in central Vientiane in 1.5 hours. Total door-to-door: 4-5 hours, $35-50.
The Bus
Before Train #133 launched, the overnight bus was the go-to budget option for travelers heading from Bangkok to Vientiane. It still has its place, but for most people, the train has taken its lunch.
The direct option is the Transport Co international bus from Mochit Bus Terminal (Bangkok Northern Bus Terminal). It departs daily at 20:00, arrives at Talat Sao Bus Station in central Vientiane around 07:00 the next morning. Tickets cost THB 1,000–1,350 (about $30–40 USD).
Don't expect luxury. These are standard VIP buses with four seats per row — air-conditioned, with a blanket, a bathroom on board, and a basic dinner box (usually rice and curry). Some buses on this route are tired and showing their age. Bring earplugs, a sweater, and low expectations and you'll be fine.
When the bus actually makes sense
When it doesn't
You can sleep horizontally on a train for similar money — that's almost always better. And if you have any back issues, 11 hours upright is a long time.
A cheaper variation: bus to Nong Khai, then international shuttle
If the direct bus is full, there's a workaround: take any bus from Mochit to Nong Khai (THB 500–600, plenty of departures), then catch the international shuttle bus across the Friendship Bridge into Vientiane (six per day). Total cost is about a third less than the direct bus, with more flexibility on departure times. It's the budget backpacker's old favorite, and still works.
What Actually Happens at the Border
If you've never crossed an overland border in Southeast Asia, the Thai-Lao crossing at Nong Khai is a good first one. It's well-organized, busy enough that the system is efficient, and the staff on both sides see thousands of foreigners every week. That said, a few things are worth knowing in advance.
Visa on arrival
Most nationalities can get a Lao visa on arrival at the Friendship Bridge crossing. Cost is $30–42 USD depending on your passport (Americans pay the most, most Europeans pay $30–35). You'll need:
Currency at the border
Don't worry about getting Lao kip before you cross — you don't need it immediately, and exchange rates at the border are poor. Thai baht is widely accepted in Vientiane, and there's an ATM at Khamsavath station and several more in the city. If you're arriving by train and want some kip on hand, the station has currency exchange windows (limited to ~2,000 baht per person at our last check).
What to expect on the train
If you're on Train #133, the border process happens during the train's 40-minute stop at Nong Khai. You'll exit at Thai immigration, get stamped out of Thailand, then reboard the same train. About 15 minutes later the train crosses the Friendship Bridge — flags change from Thai to Lao halfway across. At Khamsavath station you'll clear Lao immigration on arrival.
What to expect on the bus or via Udon Thani
Bus arrivals follow the same logic, but the immigration stop happens at the Friendship Bridge itself rather than at a station. You'll get off the bus, walk through Thai exit immigration, take the official shuttle bus across the bridge ($1.50, or 50 baht), then clear Lao immigration on the far side. Buses wait for passengers — but only for a reasonable amount of time, so don't wander off.
Our Honest Recommendation
"If we were giving a friend one answer, it would be: take Train #133, book a 2nd-class sleeper, lower berth. It's the option that gets the most people the most value."
— LaoWanderIt's comfortable enough to sleep, cheap enough to feel like a deal, and the border crossing handles itself while you're horizontal. Book it 2-3 weeks ahead and you're done thinking about it.
But we don't all have the same trip. Here's what we'd actually recommend depending on what matters to you:
Now You're Heading to Vientiane
Booking the train, flight, or bus is the easy part. Here's what we'd plan next.
Where to stay
Vientiane has a mix of French colonial heritage hotels, modern business stays, and budget guesthouses. The Settha Palace Hotel (1932 colonial restoration) and Lao Poet Hotel (modern boutique with rooftop pool) are both well-located in the city centre and start from around $105–145/night.
What to do once you arrive
Khamsavath station is 8km from the city centre, and Wattay Airport is just 3km out. Either way, you can be at your hotel within 30 minutes. From there, the Mekong promenade, Patuxai Monument, and Wat Si Saket are all walkable from most central hotels.
Continuing the journey
Most travellers don't stop in Vientiane. The Laos-China Railway connects Vientiane to Vang Vieng (1 hour) and Luang Prabang (under 2 hours), and you can plan a full multi-city trip from there.