Trains from Ayutthaya to Luang Prabang

The journey by train from Ayutthaya to Luang Prabang has two parts:

• Train from Ayutthaya to Vientiane.
• Train from Vientiane to Luang Prabang.

Train 1: Ayutthaya to Vientiane

The first train is a once a day Thai service which travels overnight from Ayutthaya to Vientiane.

• Buy tickets from Ayutthaya to Vientiane.

Train 2: Vientiane to Luang Prabang

The second train is Laos-China Railway Company (LCR) service which takes from 1 to 2 hours to complete the journey from Vientiane to Luang Prabang. There are currently 6 train services a day to choose from.

• Buy tickets from Vientiane to Luang Prabang.

Ayutthaya Train Station

Read more about Ayutthaya Railway Station.

Location of Khamsavath Train Station (Vientiane)

Trains from Ayutthaya to Vientiane terminate at Khamsavath Train Station.

Location of Laos – China Railway Station (Vientiane)

Trains from Vientiane to Luang Prabang depart from Laos – China Railway Station.

Location of Luang Prabang Train Station

Luang Prabang Train Station is located 12 km by road to the east of Luang Prabang City.

About Train Travel to Luang Prabang

In total the journey by train from Ayutthaya to Luang Prabang is scheduled to take from 13 to 17 hours depending upon the connection times between trains in Vientiane.

Train from Ayutthaya to Vientiane

The train from Ayutthaya to Vientiane travels overnight so we recommend booking a sleeper berth well in advance of the date of travel. This is a popular once a day service, with a limited number of sleeper berths, that is often fully booked weeks before the date of travel.

• Journey Information:
  • Journey time: 10 hours 35 minutes
  • Seat Types:
    • 2nd Class A/C Sleeper
    • 2nd Class A/C Seat
    • 3rd Class Fan Seat
  • Passport Control:
    • Passengers alight from the train at Nong Khai Railway Station to complete immigration procedures to exit Thailand.
    • On arrival in Vientiane passengers need to complete immigration procedures for entering Laos on arrival at Khamsavath Train Station.

Travel between Train Stations in Vientiane

Trains from Ayutthaya to Vientiane terminate at Khamsavath Train Station. Trains from Vientiane to Luang Prabang depart from Laos – China Railway Station, which is located 16.3 km by road from Khamsavath Train Station. Passengers wishing to travel onward by train from Vientiane to Luang Prabang need to arrange their own transport between the two train stations.

Transport options for travel from Khamsavath Train Station to Laos – China Railway Station:

• Public Bus:
  • Service: Route 12 (Outbound)
  • Departure Times: 08:25, 11:45, and 14:15
  • Journey Time: 30 minutes
• Taxi/Tuk-Tuk:
  • Fare: To be agreed with the driver (around 250,000 LAK)
  • Passengers: Local tuk-tuks can typically accommodate 5 people
  • Journey Time: 20 minutes

Train from Vientiane to Luang Prabang

The journey from Vientiane to Luang Prabang is a lot shorter than the journey from Ayutthaya to Vientiane. It’s a shorter distance to travel and also trains in Laos travel up to 3 times faster than any of the long distance train services currently operating in Thailand.

• Journey Information:
  • Journey time:
    • Fastest Train: 1 hour 46 minutes
    • Slowest Train: 2 hours 42 minutes
  • Seat Types:
    • Business Class
    • 1st Class A/C Seat
    • 2nd Class A/C Seat
    • Hard Seat (Ordinary trains only)

Travel to Luang Prabang City

Tuk-tuks wait outside the train station for passengers. Expect to pay around 200,000 LAK for the journey from Luang Prabang Train Station and Luang Prabang City, or less if you can other passengers to share the journey with.

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