THE SHORT VERSION
Vientiane to Bangkok at a glance.
- From
- Vientiane ວຽງຈັນ
- To
- Bangkok กรุงเทพมหานคร
- Road distance
- About 645 km
- Straight line
- 520 km
- Car time, no stops
- ~8 h 15 min buses take longer
- Return route
- Bangkok to Vientiane →
- Border
- Laos → Thailand. Passport and visa needed
THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Right place. Right bus. Better start.
Leaving Vientiane
Vientiane is the capital of Laos and has several bus terminals, each serving a different direction. International buses to Vietnam leave from the Southern Bus Terminal.
- Central Bus Terminal (Talat Sao)
City buses, plus buses to the Thai border and some regional routes. - Southern Bus Terminal
About 10 km from the centre. Routes south and many international buses to Vietnam. - Northern Bus Terminal
About 9 km from the centre. Routes north, such as Luang Prabang.
Arriving in Bangkok
Bangkok traffic is heavy. Allow plenty of time between your bus and any flight or train.
- Mo Chit (Northern) Bus Terminal
Routes to the north and north-east, and many international buses. - Ekkamai (Eastern) Bus Terminal
Routes to the east coast, such as Pattaya and Trat. - Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai)
Routes to the south and west.
Keep the essentials offline
Save your ticket, the exact meeting point and the operator's phone number before you set off. Follow the check-in time on your confirmation.
- Check which terminal your ticket uses: they're far apart.
- Land crossings into Cambodia were suspended during the 2025 border dispute. Check the current status before booking.
KEEP GOING
From Bangkok, the road continues.
Other ways to reach Bangkok
More buses from Vientiane
USEFUL FOR THIS TRIP
Sort the small things before you go.
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GOOD QUESTIONS
Before you take your seat.
How far is Vientiane from Bangkok by road?+
About 645 km by road (520 km in a straight line). Distance is an OpenStreetMap routing estimate, not an operator figure.
How long does the bus from Vientiane to Bangkok take?+
We don't publish timetables. As a guide, the drive takes roughly 8 h 15 min by car without stops; bus journeys are usually longer. Check the duration of your chosen departure on 12Go before booking.
Where does the bus leave from in Vientiane?+
It depends on the operator. Main options in Vientiane include Central Bus Terminal (Talat Sao), Southern Bus Terminal, Northern Bus Terminal, and many tourist companies collect from offices or hotels. Your ticket shows the exact boarding point.
Is there a bus back from Bangkok to Vientiane?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Bangkok to Vientiane guide.
Where does the bus from Vientiane arrive in Bangkok?+
It depends on the operator. In Bangkok, services use Mo Chit (Northern) Bus Terminal, Ekkamai (Eastern) Bus Terminal, Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai). Bangkok traffic is heavy. Allow plenty of time between your bus and any flight or train.
How do I get from the bus stop to the centre of Bangkok?+
Bangkok traffic is heavy. Allow plenty of time between your bus and any flight or train.
What kind of bus runs from Vientiane to Bangkok?+
It varies by operator and departure. Routes in this region are served by a mix of sleeper buses, seated coaches and smaller limousine vans. Check the vehicle type, seat layout and luggage allowance for your departure on 12Go before you book.
Can I book the Vientiane to Bangkok bus online?+
Yes. 12Go lists departures on this route. You choose a date, compare operators and pay online, and the provider issues the ticket. BusConnects doesn't sell tickets itself.
Where can I go next from Bangkok by bus?+
Direct buses from Bangkok include Phuket Town, Don Mueang Airport (DMK), Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi and more. See all connections on our Bangkok bus page.
Do I need a visa to take the bus from Vientiane to Bangkok?+
This journey crosses from Laos into Thailand. Check the current entry and visa rules for your nationality before you travel, and keep your passport with you on the bus.
FOLLOW THE INFORMATION
Clear sources. Better decisions.
Route listed in 12Go's public route index (checked 2026-10-09). Station information reviewed 2026-10-09. Distance: OpenStreetMap data via OSRM (approximate driving distance). Listings change and are not live inventory. Confirm the departure, pickup, price and conditions before paying.
12Go: Vientiane to Bangkok bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Vientiane (Get in) ↗Wikivoyage: Bangkok (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →