Trains from Bangkok to Vang Vieng

You can now travel by train all the way from Bangkok to Vang Vieng in Laos. However, you need to change trains in Vientiane and buy two separate train tickets, one from Bangkok to Vientiane and a second ticket from Vientiane to Vang Vieng.

Stage 1: Train from Bangkok to Vientiane

There is currently 1 direct train service a day from Bangkok to Vientiane.

• Buy tickets from Bangkok to Vientiane.

Stage 2: Train from Vientiane to Vang Vieng

There are currently 6 direct train services a day from Vientiane to Vang Vieng.

• Buy tickets from Vientiane to Vang Vieng.

Bangkok Train Station

Trains to Vientiane depart from the main train terminus in Bangkok, Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station (also known as Bang Sue Grand Station).

Location of Khamsavath Vientiane Train Station

Khamsavath Train Station is located 8 km by road from the Patuxai Monument in Vientiane.

Location of Vientiane Laos – China Railway Station

Vientiane Laos – China Railway Station is located 16.3 km by road from Khamsavath Vientiane Train Station.

Location of Vang Vieng Train Station

Vang Vieng Train Station is located around 4 km by road from Vang Vieng Town Centre.

About Travel to Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng is a small town located in an area of great natural beauty, about halfway between the larger cities of Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Around three quarters of million leisure visitors a year travel to Vang Vieng, with the November to March Period being particularly busy.

Immigration Procedures for Train Travel to Laos

Immigration control for passengers travelling by train from Thailand to Laos is completed in two stages:

• Stage 1: Passengers are required to leave the train at Nong Khai Railway Station to complete immigration procedures for departing from Thailand. Train #133 stops for 40 minutes at Nong Khai for this reason.
• Stage 2: On arrival at Khamsavath Train Station in Vientiane passengers are then required to complete immigration procedures for entry into Laos. A visa on arrival is available for some, but not all, passengers depending upon their nationality so please check before you travel.

Travel Between Train Stations in Vientiane

Trains to and from Thailand arrive into, and depart from, Khamsavath Train Station. High speed trains from Vientiane travelling north to Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, and onto China depart from a different train station, known as the Laos – China Railway Station or simply ‘Vientiane Railway Station’.

There are taxis and tuk-tuks available at Khamsavath Train Station to take passengers to the Laos – China Railway Station. There is also an inexpensive bus service you can use:

• Bus Service: Route 12 (Outbound)
• Journey Time: 30 minutes
• Departure Times from Khamsavath Train Station:
  • 08:25
  • 11:45
  • 14:15

Staying in Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng is a compact town with a high density of hotels, restaurants and bars concentrated in an area measuring roughly 1 km long and 300 metres wide stretched out along the Nam Song River. Most visitors choose to stay in this area although there are plenty of hotels located away from the busy town centre.

A lot of the accommodation in Vang Vieng is basic and fairly cheap (equivalent to $10 to $15 USD a night) catering to younger budget conscious visitors. Better quality, and more expensive, accommodation is also available, such as the Phubarn Vimarn Vangvieng Resort which offers excellent mountain and river views.

Visitor Attractions in Vang Vieng

The activity Vang Vieng is most famous for is floating down the Nam Song River on a large rubber tube stopping at bars along the way. To go tubing enquire at your hotel or any travel agent in Vang Vieng to arrange a tour which includes being taken by minivan to the start point for your tubing adventure, the rent of a tube, and the return journey back to your accommodation.

There are, however, lots of places of natural beauty you can also visit. All of these are on the other side of the Nam Song River to Vang Vieng Town and (with the exception of Tham Chang Cave) they are located several kilometres away from Vang Vieng Town and visitors need to hire transport, or go on a tour, to reach them.

Among the most popular attractions near Vang Vieng are:

• Pha Ngern View Point
• Nam Xay Viewpoint
• Silver Cliff Viewpoint One
• Nang Oua Khiam Cave
• Tham Pha Phueng
• Khan Kham Cave
• Phapoungkham cave
• Blue Lagoon 1 (Tham Poukham)
• Blue Lagoon 2
• Blue Lagoon 3
• Blue Lagoon 4
• Blue Lagoon 5

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