Currently, train travel in Laos is possible on two routes: China – Laos Railway and between Bangkok and Vientiane. Two railway stations in Vientiane are located on the outskirts of the city and are not interconnected.
For a long time, Laos had no railways, except for preserved relics from old times. In 2008 the railway line from Thailand was extended to Laos. The 3,5 km length railway line over the Mekong river to the Thanaleng station near the border, about 8 kilometers from Vientiane, was opened. The Friendship Bridge was constructed in 1994. It has road lanes and railway track in the middle of the bridge.
Last update: 22.07.2024
Train travel in Laos – China – Laos Railway
On December 3, 2021, the Chinese-built Vientiane-Boten railway line was put into operation. Trains run between the capital Vientiane and Boten and Luang Prabang stations. The number of trains varies depending on the day, usually run 5-8 trains in each direction. You can choose between a regular and express train. There are 12 passenger stations on the route, express trains stop only at five most important stations. The operational speed is 160 km/h. The rolling stock consists of electric multiple units (express trains) and trains comprised of a locomotive and carriages. (ordinary trains).
At the end of April 2023, international trains between Vientiane and Kunming, China were launched. The journey time one way is 10 and a half hours. The journey is so long because of border controls.
Laos-China Railway – – timetable, prices, online shop
The railway is very popular among locals and tourist.
The railway was built by the Chinese in 2016-2021. Construction plans appeared already in 2001, eight years later the governments of Laos and China confirmed the plans, and in 2015 an agreement was signed. The Lao part of the route is over 400 kilometers long (according to various sources 409-422 km), of which 198 km are tunnels and galleries and 62 km are bridges and viaducts. At Boten, the railway connects with China’s Yuxi-Mohan railway, which is over 500 kilometers long.
The railway in Laos is single-track, electrified and built to a standard gauge. Part of the project was the construction of a new railway station in the suburbs of Vientiane.
Train between Bangkok and Vientiane
On 19 July 2024 the first passenger train made his first journey between Thailand and Laos. An overnight train connects Bangkok and Vientiane. The train departs from Thep Aphiwat station in Bangkok and terminates at Khamsavath station in Vientiane on morning. Tickets can be purchased via the mobile application via “D-Ticket” and at State Railway of Thailand (SRT) main stations.
The Khamsavath station in Vientiane is located about 7 kilometers from the city center and passengers must use public transport to travel to downtown of the capital of the Laos. There are shuttle buses between station and the centre.
1st, 2nd and 3rd class seating carriages and sleeping cars are available.
Vientiane City Bus – Facebook profile
Panda Express tourist train
In May 2024 a new tourist train between China and Laos was inaugurated. Panda Express train from Guiyang to Vientiane in fact is a trip “tourist train + high-speed train + bus” with many stops and accomodations in the hotels.
Panda Express train runs from Guyiang to Xishuangbanna. From Xishuangbanna passengers are transferred to a high-speed train that runs on the China-Laos Railway to Vientiane. In Laos, passengers will visit most important tourist attractions, for example Kuang Si Waterfall, Patuxai, Wat Xieng Thong, and Pha That Luang. Transfer between railway stations and landmark by buses.
The train is planned to operate once a month or on a request.
Train travel in Laos – proposed lines
There is a proposed international railway line between Vientiane and Vũng Áng port in Vietnam. In 2017 the Lao and Vietnamese governments signed a letter of intent to build this railway. During the French colonial period, the colonial government planneed to build railway line through the mountains. Construction started but had was abandoned in 1950 due to budget and difficult terrain. The line will be double-tracked with a maximum speed 150 km/h.
The Government of Laos that plans to build six new railroads:
Nong Khai – Thanaleng railway (in operation since 2009)
Vientiane – Boten railway (in operation since 2021)
Vientiane – Vung Ang railway (in planning)
Savannakhet – Lao Bao railway
Thakhek – Savannakhet – Pakse – Vang Tao railway
Pakse – Veun Kham railway, to the border with Cambodia
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