There are now three daily trains from Vientiane to Luang Prabang on the Laos-China Railway. We took the slightly slower train which basically cost half that of the faster train.
🇯🇵 この記事を日本語で読む: ビエンチャンからルアンパバーンへ！高速鉄道のチケット予約から駅への行き方まで
What’s New in 2026: The high-speed rail has revolutionized travel in Laos. While ticket demand remains high, the “LCR Ticket” app now makes booking much easier than in previous years.
- How to Book Your Tickets (2026 Updated)
- Lao-China Railway (LCR) Timetable: Vientiane to Luang Prabang (2026)
- We bought train tickets at the City Center
- How to get to Vientiane Railway Station
- Vientiane Railway Station
- The train from Vientiane to Luang Prabang
- How to get from Luang Prabang Railway Station to town
How to Book Your Tickets (2026 Updated)
- Official App (LCR Ticket): The most reliable method.
- Online Agents (e.g., 12Go Asia): Best for those who want to book more than 3 days in advance.
- At the Station: Still possible, but risky for popular time slots.
Lao-China Railway (LCR) Timetable: Vientiane to Luang Prabang (2026)
The train schedule is now more frequent than in previous years. There are three main types of trains: D-Series (International High-Speed), C-Series (Domestic High-Speed), and K-Series (Ordinary/Slow train).
| Train No. | Type | Departure (Vientiane) | Arrival (Luang Prabang) | Notes |
| D888 | International EMU | ~ 07:30 | ~ 09:15 | Cross-border train to Kunming. |
| C82 | High-Speed (EMU) | ~ 08:00 | ~ 09:50 | Reliable morning departure. |
| C84 | High-Speed (EMU) | ~ 09:20 | ~ 11:10 | Most popular for tourists. |
| K12 | Ordinary Train | ~ 10:30 | ~ 13:00 | Slower but more budget-friendly. |
| C92 | High-Speed (EMU) | ~ 14:00 | ~ 15:50 | Ideal for afternoon travel. |
| C86 | High-Speed (EMU) | ~ 16:30 | ~ 18:20 | Last high-speed train of the day. |
Essential Travel Tips for 2026
- Check Real-Time Times: While this schedule is a general guide, departure times can shift slightly depending on the season or local holidays (like Pi Mai). Always verify via the official LCR Ticket app.
- Arrival Time: Do not arrive at the station last minute. Because of the airport-style security checks, we recommend arriving at Vientiane Station at least 60 minutes before your departure.
- Ticket Classes: * Second Class: Most popular and comfortable enough for the 2-hour trip.
- First/Business Class: Offers more space and a quieter environment.
- Ordinary (K-train): Non-AC or basic AC with bench seating—only recommended if you are on a very tight budget or want a nostalgic experience.
Traveler’s Note: The difference in speed is massive. While the old bus route takes 6+ hours through winding mountains, the high-speed train gets you there in under 2 hours. It’s a game-changer for traveling in Laos!
We bought train tickets at the City Center
In December 2022 it was not possible to buy tickets online because they have had lots of technical problems.
The main options were to buy a ticket through a travel agency/hotel, buy it from the railway station or go to the ticket office which is about 1,5 Kms from most of the Guest Houses.
The railway station is not a realistic option because it’s 16 Kms from the centre and as we prefer to do things independently and not pay a commission we simply went to the ticket office.
The ticket office opens at 10am, but we deliberately went there a little before (09:40) because we were hoping to travel the next morning.
There was a line already when we arrived and took us 50 minutes in total to get our tickets.
The ticket sales person spoke a little English. The problem of them not accepting cash or foreign credit cards is easily resolved because there is a man who will pay through his phone for you. You only have to pay a 30,000 kip commission.
We were lucky and managed to get the exact tickets we wanted – 08:00 the next day. There is also a faster train at 07:30 and at 15:30.
How to get to Vientiane Railway Station
Arrive at Vientiane Station at least 60 minutes before departure. Security is similar to an airport—be careful with aerosols and pocket knives!
We were up early and had some congee (rice porridge) at a roadside stand.
We then managed to negotiate a tuk tuk for 120,000 kip which was much cheaper than we had been quoted by our Guest House.
Vientiane Railway Station
The Laos-China has only been opened a year and everything is new. The Station is huge with airport like security.
I had read that it was very strict and was managed by a Chinese company. We found it very straightforward.
The toilets are free and very clean and you can also get hot or cold water from dispensers.
The train from Vientiane to Luang Prabang
It’s a new train which runs from Vientiane to the border with China. Seats are a little squeezed with five across the carriage.
The journey was smooth and ran perfectly on time with an 08:00 departure and an arrival of 10:45.
How to get from Luang Prabang Railway Station to town
It’s really easy to get from Luang Prabang Railway Station to town. There are minibuses waiting outside the station and you simply buy a 35,000 kip ticket before boarding.
It takes about 25 minutes to travel the 13kms into the centre of Luang Prabang.
Next Trip:
Comment
Hi How do we find this mysterious man at the ticket office, and how do we pay him?
Just go to the ticket office and you will see him I’m sure. There’s always a fixer in these situations!
Good luck and please do let us know if it works out. Safe travels