- errors, suggestions & updates, kindly contact: laomeow at gmail dot com
- last updated on 27 September 2012
- thank you to hobomaps.com for timetable info & gopeace & snowinjanuary for photos
- older versions of this page here (28 February 2009), here (02 October 2010) & here (08 June 2011)
Vientiane (VTE) northern bus station aka. 'khiew loht saai neua':
Located at Sithong Road at GK142 on this map, ~700m east of junction with HWY 13.
Photos of the bus station (text in Japanese only).
More photos of the bus station (07 December 2010):
Photos by gopeace
May 2011 - photo by snowinjanuary
Types of buses - photos from old northern bus station (11 October 2008):
Ordinary - 1st, 2nd, 5th & 6th from left. AC - 3rd from left. VIP - 4th & 7th from left.
* Photos of the new Vientiane-Luang Prabang sleeper bus here (March 2012)
Timetables & fares
There are 2 sources of timetable info at the bus station - (1) the timetables with fares posted for passengers, & (2) the bus drivers' roster for the day handwritten on a whiteboard. If there are discrepancies the latter would probably be the most up to date source, but it does not have details of the bus fares.
Vientiane to Luang Prabang (January 2012):
AC (110,000kip) - 0630, 0730, 0830, 1100, 1330, 1600, 1800
VIP (130,000kip) - 0800, 0900, 2000
sleeper bus (150,000kip) - ? (new service - photos here)
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) (January 2012):
Note:
Bus passes through Oudomxay town in mid-afternoon the next day.
Vientiane to Houa Phan (Sam Neua) (January 2012):
Ordinary (170,000kip) - 0700
via Phonsavan
Ordinary (170,000kip) - 0930, 1200
not sure if AC or VIP (190,000kip) - 1400
Note:
There are 2 routes - a longer route via Luang Prabang & a shorter route via Phonsavan. As of 05 August 2010, the 0700 bus travelled via Luang Prabang & the rest of the buses went via Phonsavan. Please double check with the ticket office at the bus station.
Vientiane to Luang Namtha (January 2012):
Vientiane to Oudomxay (January 2012):
AC (150,000kip) - 1700
VIP (170,000kip) - 1600
Vientiane to Phongsaly (January 2012):
Ordinary (190,000kip) - 0715
Note:
This bus arrives in Boun Neua around 0830-0900++AM the next day.
Vientiane to Sayabouly (January 2012):
AC (130,000kip) - 1830
Note:
There might be 2 routes for Vientiane-Sayabouly buses, one via Phou Khoun & Xieng Ngeun, the other via Xanakham. Please double check with the ticket office at the bus station.
Vientiane to Vang Vieng:
Any of the buses listed above, except the Vientiane-Xanakham-Sayabouly bus.
Vientiane to Xieng Khouang (Phonsavanh) (January 2012):
Vientiane to Phonsavanh
AC (110,000kip) - 0630, 0730, 0930, 1600, 1830
VIP (130,000kip) - 2000
Vientiane to Phonsavanh to Muang Kham to Nong Het
Not sure what type of bus (150,000kip) - 1100
Note:
3 of the daily buses to Houa Phan (Sam Neua) will pass through Phonsavan.
Vientiane to Pak Lay (January 2012):
Not sure of type of bus (90,000 kip) - 0800
Vientiane to Xanakham (January 2012):
Not sure of type of bus (70,000 kip) - 0630, 0730
Vientiane to Kaen Thao (January 2012):
Not sure of type of bus (100,000 kip) - 1000
Vientiane to Saysomboun Special Zone (January 2012):
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.
It appears in the Lao language drivers' roster but is omitted from the English timetables.
It is not known whether foreigners are allowed on this bus.
Vientiane to China (January 2012):
English translations are directly above the corresponding text in Chinese script.
The company telephone number is identical to that of Tongli Bus Co., which used to run this bus service - there might have been a change of company name.
Misc info (incomplete/unverified)
(Photos from old Northern bus station taken on 03 December 2009)
Vientiane to Cambodia?
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?
Click here for full size.
