Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang tickets

About the ride from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang

Every day, countless globetrotting travelers take the trip from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang, possibly the most popular tourist spot in Laos. Formerly the nation’s royal capital, it’s full of French colonial architecture, great food and unparalleled charm.

It also offers lots of opportunities for outdoor adventure, with enchanting waterfalls and towering hilltop temples. Many tourists even use the city as a base for multi-day treks in the surrounding areas. Attractive and alluring, many travelers fall in love with Luang Prabang’s laid-back delights.

For the 183km (114 mile) journey to Luang Prabang from Vang Vieng, you have two options: 

• Car from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang - typically around 4 hours
• Minivan from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang - typically around 5 hours

 

What to see when traveling from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang

There are two separate routes to Luang Prabang from Vang Vieng - the old road and the new road. While the old road is windier, more scenic and more exciting, it’s also longer (by 1 to 2 hours), and can be a little more-stomach-churning.

Most cars and minivans to Luang Prabang from Vang Vieng will take the new road, but it’s best to check with each individual provider to be sure. Sometimes, drivers may choose to take the old road because of poor weather - or some private drivers may take the old road on request.

That said, both roads offer great views, with steep drops, cliffside bends and verdant vistas. Whichever road you take, you’ll pass mountains, forests, quaint villages and smiling locals.

Though both Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng are endlessly charming, the smaller settlements between them are even more so.

Upon reaching Luang Prabang from Vang Vieng, you might be surprised by the relative opulence of its glistening temples, colonial architecture and modern buildings. 

 

How to get from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang

Taking a car

Taking a car from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang is a great idea if your priorities are spontaneity and flexibility. Because all cars from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang are private transfers, this allows you to choose your own departure time and your own pick up point. 

A private car also allows you to stop along the way wherever you like to take pictures of all the views and vistas - perfect for those who want to indulge in Southeast Asia’s stunning scenery!

Taking a car to Luang Prabang from Vang Vieng is also a very comfortable choice, though it is pretty expensive.

An important note: all cars from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang drop passengers at Luang Prabang Airport. Though this may be convenient for some, it might not be ideal for other travellers.

Taking a minivan 

If you choose to take a minivan from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang, you have two different options: you can either purchase a single ticket for an individual seat in a shared public minivan, or you can hire an entire private minivan with the people you’re traveling with. 

If you take the pricier option of the full minivan, you can choose your own pick up point, departure times and pit stops along the way, just like with a private car.

If you take the cheaper (but still very comfortable) option of a public minivan, you leave at designated times, and you can’t choose where you stop along the way. But some public minivans will drop you off at, and pick you up from, your hotel.

All minivans from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang have AC. None have toilets. Instead, they will stop off along the way for toilet breaks.