After completing the famous Thakhek Loop, heading back to the capital is the next logical step for many backpackers. Traveling from Thakhek to Vientiane by bus covers about 340 km along Route 13, offering a raw and local look at overland travel in Laos. In this guide, we share our first-hand experience catching the morning bus—from arranging our ride through a local motorbike rental shop to surviving the bumpy 7.5-hour journey with roadside food stops. We have also included current information on bus types, terminal details, and how to get to the city center upon arrival.
🇯🇵 この記事を日本語で読む: ターケークからビエンチャンへのバス移動ガイド｜時刻表・料金・乗り場
2026 Update: While our original journey was in 2022, we have updated this post with the latest 2026 data. Key changes include the rise of online bookings and the adoption of ride-hailing apps in Vientiane.
Essential Information for 2026
- Distance: Approx. 340 km
- Duration: 6 – 9 hours (Expect delays due to road conditions on Route 13).
- Best Way to Book: at the Thakhek Inter Provincial Bus Station.
Bus Types & Estimated Fares
| Bus Type | Price (LAK) | Price (USD approx.) | Best For |
| Local Bus | 150k – 250k | $15 – $20 | Budget travelers / No-frills |
| VIP / Express | 350k – 450k | $20 – $25 | Comfort & AC |
| Sleeper Bus | 450k – 550k | $25 – $30 | Overnight travel / Saving on a hotel |
Station Details
- Departure: Thakhek Inter Provincial Bus Station. It’s about 5km from the city center. A Tuk-tuk ride should take 15-20 minutes.
- Arrival:Southern Bus Station (Dong Dok) in Vientiane.
- Pro Tip: Use the Loca or Indrive app to book a car into the city center to avoid overpriced Tuk-tuk fares at the terminal.
Buying Bus Tickets from Thakhek to Vientiane
Back in 2022, we paid in cash at the station, but now you can easily secure your seat online.
We went to the bus station which is about 5kms from the centre of Thakhek before returning out moped. The price between buying the tickets yourself and buying through an agent were marginal.
Wang Wang Motor Rental gave us an ok price and also a private pick up to the station which arrived exactly on time. We would normally organise the tickets ourselves, but for once we were lazy.
There’s also a bit of a tuk tuk mafia who ask a lot to transport to and from the station.
Bus from Thakhek to Vientiane
The bus looked quite fancy and the AC worked reasonably well. The legroom was really cramped on the bus and my legs were splayed out in the corridor.
We bought grilled bananas and filled baguettes before setting out and this kept us going for the day. Other food was also available and at one point when we stopped some vendors came onto the bus.
The bus did stop for lunch at a noodle shop and three times in the middle of nowhere so you could get off and use the toilet in the bushes.
There was quite a bit of construction work going on so the trip took 7.5 hours to cover the 330 Kms.
Useful Information for Your Laos Trip:
Visa Extension Guide: ➡ Laos Visa Extension Guide: Oudomxay vs Luang Namtha Costs, Rules, and 23-Hour Fast-Track Success
Border Crossing Guide:
➡ Hue to Savannakhet Border Guide via Lao Bao Border: Crossing from Vietnam to Laos
➡ Paksan to Bueng Kan Border Crossing (Laos – Thai) Mekong River by Boat
How to get from the Vientiane Southern Bus Terminal to town
The Southern Bus Terminal which is located in the north of the City is an inconvenient 13 Kms from town. There’s an infrequent bus which runs past the Southern Bus Terminal to the Central Bus Terminal, but we took a tuk tuk.
We were quoted some crazy amounts of 200 -250,000 kip. After some negotiation, including walking away we settled on 100,000 kip.
The journey took abou 40 minutes because we hit ‘rush hour’ traffic.
In 2026, you can use the Loca or Indrive app to book a car into the city center to avoid overpriced Tuk-tuk fares at the terminal.
Next Trip: Sightseeing in Vientiane!
➡ Vientiane 1-Day Walking Itinerary: Top Cultural Sights, Guesthouse Walk-Ins
Our Handpicked Must-Visit Spots:
Based on our own journeys, here are the absolute best places in Laos that captured our hearts.
➡ Luang Prabang Travel Guide: 3-Day Temple Walking Route, Chompet Ferry & Local Night Markets
➡ Wat Phou Travel Guide – Day Trip from Pakse: A Complete Motorbike Guide
➡ The Plain of Jars Travel Guide from Phonsavan: A Complete Sightseeing & Motorbike Survival Tips
➡ Nong Khiaw Travel Guide: Hiking Pha Daeng Peak, Local Eats & Slow Travel Tips
➡ Muang Ngoy Travel Guide: Ultimate Travel Guide to Laos’ Hidden Riverside Village
Comment
Hello, we are looking to travel to Laos in the next few days, we are planning on entering in Thakhek via Thailand boarder. We are struggling to find any buses to take us to the top of Laos online, but it is clearly possible through your story. We’re just wondering if you had any more information about the buses or the pay on entry visa situation.
I know its short notice and the chances of a reply are very unlikely but thankyou for the information you have posted anyway.
Not sure you will find info online, but there’s a photo https://maiandchristravel.com/thakhek-to-vientiane/ here from the bus station which shows the bus times from Thakhek. There might also be other buses.
Good luck!
Cheers,