It’s now possible to complete the journey from Ayutthaya to Vang Vieng by train. There are currently no direct train services from Ayutthaya to Vang Vieng, however, you can take a train to Vientiane and from there a connecting train service to Vang Vieng.
Train 1: Ayutthaya to Vientiane
The first stage of the journey by train from Ayutthaya to Vang Vieng is on a Thai train service from Ayutthaya to Vientiane in Laos.
- Buy tickets from Ayutthaya to Vientiane.
| Train | Ayutthaya | Vientiane | Service |
| 133 | 22:30 | 09:05 | Rapid |
Train 2: Vientiane to Vang Vieng
The second stage of the journey by train from Ayutthaya to Vang Vieng is on a Laos – China Railway service from Vientiane to Vang Vieng.
- Buy tickets from Vientiane to Vang Vieng.
| Train | Vientiane | Vang Vieng | Service |
| C98 | 07:30 | 08:22 | Fast |
| D88 | 08:08 | 09:00 | International |
| K12 | 08:42 | 10:02 | Ordinary |
| C92 | 09:45 | 10:40 | Fast |
| C82 | 13:30 | 14:23 | Fast |
| C84 | 15:55 | 17:08 | Fast |
Location of 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 Vang Vieng Train Station
Vang Vieng town centre is located around 4 km by road to the south of Vang Vieng Train Station.
About Train Travel from Ayutthaya to Vang Vieng
The best way to travel overland from Ayutthaya to Vang Vieng is to travel by train. Travel by train on the first part of the journey from Ayutthaya to Vientiane takes about the same time as it would to travel by road, however, there are no direct bus services from Ayutthaya to Vientiane. For the second part of the journey it’s several hours faster to travel by train from Vientiane to Vang Vieng than it is to travel by bus or minivan.
Seating Types on the Train
The first train, from Ayutthaya to Vientiane is a Thai train service with air-conditioned sleeper berths available as well as cheaper seat only options.
- Ayutthaya to Vientiane Train:
- 2nd Class A/C Sleeper
- 2nd Class A/C Seat
- 3rd Class Fan Seat
The second train, from Vientiane to Vang Vieng, is a more modern high speed train service operated by the Laos – China Railway Company. These trains are 100% air-conditioned and are kept very clean. Sleeper berths aren’t available on these services.
- Vientiane to Vang Vieng Train:
- Business Class
- 1st Class A/C Seat
- 2nd Class A/C Seat
- Hard Seat (Ordinary trains only)
Travel Times
The longest part of the journey is the first train service from Ayutthaya to Vientiane. This service travels overnight arriving in Vientiane early the next morning. Booking a sleeper berth is recommended. The second train journey is much shorter and the scenery on route, particularly as you near Vang Vieng, is spectacular.
- Scheduled Journey Times
- Ayutthaya to Vientiane: 10 hours 35 minutes
- Vientiane to Vang Vieng: 52 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes
Travelling by train, the total journey time from Ayutthaya to Vang Vieng ranges from 12 hours 10 minutes to 15 hours 53 depending on which connecting train service you take after arriving in Vientiane.
Nam Xay Viewpoint near Vang ViengPassport Control (Thailand)
Train #133, from Ayutthaya to Vientiane, is scheduled to arrive in Nong Khai at 07:55 where the train will stop for 40 minutes before recommencing the journey to Vientiane at 08:35. During those 40 minutes all train passengers wishing to continue their journey across the border into Laos need to leave the train and complete immigration procedures for exiting Thailand at the immigration desk inside Nong Khai Train Station.
Passport Control (Laos)
Train #133 is then scheduled to arrive in Vientiane at 09:05 where the train terminates. As passengers exit Khamsavath Train Station in Vientiane they need to complete immigration procedures for entering Laos. Passengers can apply for a Visa on Arrival at Khamsavath Train Station.
Taxi Between Vientiane Train Stations
Khamsavath Train Station, arrival point for train services from Thailand, is located 16.3 km by road to the south of Laos – China Railway Station, which is the departure point for train services to Vang Vieng. The fastest way to complete the journey by public transport is to take a local tuk-tuk. The large local style tuk-tuks which operate as taxis from Khamsavath Train Station can accommodate up to 5 people and typically charge 250,000 LAK for the journey from Khamsavath Train Station to Laos – China Railway Station.
Public Bus Between Vientiane Train Stations
A cheaper option than taking a taxi, particularly for solo travellers, is to take a public bus service from Khamsavath Train Station to Laos – China Railway Station. By public bus the journey is scheduled to take 30 minutes. The bus service is called Route 12 (Outbound) and it departs from Khamsavath Train Station every day at 08:25, 11:45, and 14:15.