Die Stadt Luang Prabang, bekannt für ihre vielen schönen buddhistischen Tempel, war bis 1975 die königliche Hauptstadt von Laos und ist die alte Hauptstadt der Provinz Luang Prabang. Ein Ort voller Spiritualität und Erbe, das von der UNESCO geschützte Luang Prabang ist ein Ziel für Ihre Eimerliste! Sobald Sie die Watten erkundet haben, machen Sie eine Reise in den Süden in die kleinere Stadt Vang Vieng. Es ist ein beliebter Zwischenstopp für Rucksacktouristen und hat ein entspanntes Gefühl für seine Bars und Restaurants, was es zu einem schönen Ort macht, an dem man sich für ein paar Tage entspannen kann, bevor man wieder losfährt. Erkunden Sie die umliegenden Kalksteinberge und Karstgebiete und fahren Sie mit dem Tubing oder Kayak auf dem Fluss, bevor Sie abreisen!
Options to go from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
The straight-line distance from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng is only 110 kilometers (69 miles), but the beautiful mountains that separate the two cities make the roads meander for 180 kilometers. That’s why a bus or van journey can be quite long, and you’re sure to find stories of passengers who got dizzy along the way. The two options for traveling from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng are a VIP bus and a van or minivan, unless you’re willing to risk renting a car and driving it yourself. We do not recommend the latter option as the condition of the roads can be a bit rough, so if you are used to driving on well paved roads, this tour may surprise you. Also, if you have to concentrate on driving, you will miss the views and miss out on these spectacular landscapes.
Bus from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
If you are thinking of taking a bus from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng, there are a few things to keep in mind. First of all, make sure you are buying a bus ticket operated by a tour operator and not a local bus. Traveling by local bus will add a few hours to an already long journey, and you’ll probably be hotter and less comfortable than on a private bus.
Naga Travel operates a VIP bus from Luang Prabang South Bus Terminal to Vang Vieng. Traveling with this company may be a little more expensive than other options, but traveling by bus has more advantages than by van. On the one hand, you will have more space, and in addition, the buses have a bathroom on board, which is very useful in an emergency. Still, the bus stops along the way to stretch and grab a bite to eat, so you don’t have to worry about that either.
The bus takes an hour longer than the vans, making the trip in about 7 hours. Buses have to travel at a more reasonable speed, so if you’re feeling dizzy they’ll be a better option. With Naga Travel, you can leave Luang Prabang at 8 AM and arrive in Vang Vieng around 3 PM.
From Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng by van
As you might have guessed from the description above, driving a van is faster than a bus, or at least it should be. The truth is that vans tend to have different departure times, so if you have a ticket for a specific departure time, don’t expect to leave on time. In fact, you may have to wait an hour or more before leaving. This is not only the case on the route from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng, but all over the country and you can expect it on any other route.
That said, when you’re on the road, you’ll get to Vang Vieng faster than taking the bus, but it’s not the best option if you’re feeling dizzy. The roads are very winding and potholes, with many drivers exceeding the speed limit for the state of the road. It is common for a passenger to vomit, so several stops for air may be necessary along the way.
Another disadvantage is that delivery vans can get quite crowded. You will have less space than on a bus, and if you sit in the back, you may have to share your legroom with other passengers’ luggage.
But traveling by van from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng also has some advantages. Minivans leave more frequently, so it’s easier to find one that suits your plans. In addition, vans are cheaper than VIP buses. Finally, it’s a more practical option as you can buy tickets at the hotel or hostel where you’re staying, including a tuk-tuk from your accommodation to the bus station, so you don’t have to worry about a thing. Making a reservation through the hotel is a very convenient option and avoids the potential inconvenience of having to buy tickets yourself.
You can usually find tickets for the same day you want to travel, but we recommend buying them well in advance to avoid any surprises. As we mentioned, you can buy them through your hotel or hostel, although it’s best to find a reputable travel agency to have more peace of mind should the unforeseen happen.
Whether you choose to travel by bus or van from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng, be sure to bring your camera to capture the spectacular mountain landscapes you see along the way.