Wednesday, June 08, 2011

new Vientiane northern bus station

- errors, suggestions & updates, kindly contact: laomeow at gmail dot com
- last updated on 08 June 2011
- thank you to gopeace for the photos & timetable info, & snowinjanuary
- thank you to hobomaps.com for confirming exact location
- older versions of this page here (28 February 2009) & here (02 October 2010)
- newer version of this page here



Vientiane (VTE) northern bus station aka. 'khiew loht saai neua':

Has relocated to Sithong Road at GK142 on this map, ~700m east of junction with HWY 13.

Photos of the new bus station (text in Japanese only).
More photos of the new bus station (07 December 2010):

DSC01710
DSC01709
DSC01711
DSC01712
Photos by gopeace

Vientiane Northern Bus station
May 2011 - photo by snowinjanuary



Types of buses - photos from old northern bus station (11 October 2008):

PA110074a
Ordinary - 1st, 2nd, 5th & 6th from left. AC - 3rd from left. VIP - 4th & 7th from left.


Timetables & fares

At present, it seems that timetable info at the new northern bus station is available only in Lao language, on what appears to be the bus drivers' roster handwritten on a whiteboard:

DSC01716

Details of type of bus (VIP, AC or ordinary) are not indicated (except for buses to Luang Prabang). Details of bus fares are also not given.

Fares & types of buses listed on this page are based on earlier info from the old northern bus station (correct as of 05 August 2010 or otherwise stated), & are given only as a guide - please do not be confused by any apparent discrepancies - the most up-to-date details are in the photos.

For the curious - the writing in green ink on the whiteboard is the name of the driver & registration number of the bus assigned for that trip.

Vientiane to Luang Prabang (07 January 2011):

DSC01717a LPB

Info from 05 August 2010:
AC (95,000kip) - 0630, 0730, 0900, 1100, 1330, 1600, 1800
VIP (115,000kip) - 0800, 0900, 2000

Notes:
To Bor Nam Oun: 60,000kip by VIP bus (03 December 2009)
To Phou Khoun: 80,000kip by AC bus (October 2008)
Buses to Bokeo, Luang Namtha, Oudomxay & Phongsaly will also pass through Luang Prabang.

Vientiane to Bokeo (Huay Xai) (07 January 2011):

DSC01717d BK

Info from 05 August 2010:
Ordinary (180,000kip) - 1730
AC (200,000kip) - 1730
VIP (220,000kip) - 1730

Note:
VIP bus passes through Oudomxay town in mid-afternoon.

Vientiane to Houa Phan (Sam Neua) (07 January 2011):

DSC01718a HP

Info from 05 August 2010:
via Luang Prabang
Ordinary (150,000kip) - 0700

via Phonsavan
Ordinary (150,000kip) - 0930, 1200
VIP (160,000kip) - 1400

Vientiane to Luang Namtha (07 January 2011):

DSC01717b LNT

Info from 05 August 2010:
Ordinary (140,000kip) - 0830
AC (150,000kip) - 1700

Vientiane to Oudomxay (07 January 2011):

DSC01718d ODX

Info from 05 August 2010:
Ordinary (110,000kip) - 0645, 1345
AC (130,000kip) - 1700
VIP (155,000kip) - 1600

Vientiane to Phongsaly (07 January 2011):

DSC01718e PSL

Info from 05 August 2010:
Ordinary (160,000kip)

Note:
This bus arrives in Boun Neua around 0830-0900++AM the next day.

Vientiane to Sayabouly (07 January 2011):

DSC01718b SYB

Info from 03 December 2009:
Ordinary (90,000kip) - 1600
AC (110,000kip) - 1830

Vientiane to Pak Lay (07 January 2011):

DSC01718c PL

Vientiane to Xieng Khouang (Phonsavanh) (07 January 2011):

DSC01717c XK

Info from 05 August 2010:
Vientiane > Phonsavanh
AC (95,000kip) - 0630, 0730, 0930, 1600, 1830
VIP (115,000kip) - 2000

Vientiane > Phonsavanh > Muang Kham > Nong Het (new extended route)
No mention of type of bus (130,000kip) - 1100

Note:
3 of the daily buses to Houa Phan (Sam Neua) will pass through Phonsavan.

Vientiane to Saysomboun Special Zone (07 January 2011):

DSC01717e SSB

Note:
Saysomboun Special Zone was carved up & absorbed into neighbouring provinces & in theory no longer exists; however it is still listed as 'khet (area) phiset (special) saysomboun' in this timetable.
At the old bus station, it used to be listed in the Lao timetables but omitted from the English timetables.
It is not known whether foreigners are allowed on this bus.

Vientiane to Vang Vieng:
Any of the buses listed above.

Vientiane to China (05 August 2010):
Note: this info is entirely from the old Northern bus station.

PC030050a
PC030050b
Translation - Notice to all passengers: with effect from today, the fare for the Vientiane-Kunming route will be changed to RMB445.00, please take note & thank you, wishing (all) a happy & smooth journey, Tongli Bus Co. Ltd., 3rd March 2009.



Misc info (incomplete/unverified)
(Photos from old Northern bus station taken on 03 December 2009)

Vientiane to Cambodia?

PC030049

PC030051a

The poster & notice were displayed at different parts of the ticket office, no indication if Sorya Transport Co. is partnering Chitpasong Transport Co. to run this service, or if the two are rivals competing on the same route...

Vientiane - Attapeu sleeper bus?

PC030055
Click here for full size.