THE SHORT VERSION
Vientiane to Kratie at a glance.
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 Kratie
The town is small and most guesthouses are near the river.
- Kratie bus station
North-west part of town. Services to Phnom Penh, Stung Treng and the north-east.
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.
- Book through-tickets to the Lao 4,000 Islands rather than paying for each leg at the border.
KEEP GOING
From Kratie, the road continues.
Other ways to reach Kratie
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 Kratie by road?+
About 929 km by road (694 km in a straight line). Distance is an OpenStreetMap routing estimate, not an operator figure.
How long does the bus from Vientiane to Kratie take?+
We don't publish timetables. As a guide, the drive takes roughly 11 h 45 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 Kratie to Vientiane?+
12Go's public route list doesn't include Kratie to Vientiane as a direct route. You may need to change in another town.
Where does the bus from Vientiane arrive in Kratie?+
It depends on the operator. In Kratie, services use Kratie bus station. The town is small and most guesthouses are near the river.
How do I get from the bus stop to the centre of Kratie?+
The town is small and most guesthouses are near the river.
What kind of bus runs from Vientiane to Kratie?+
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 Kratie 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 Kratie by bus?+
Direct buses from Kratie include Stung Treng, Kampong Cham, Phnom Penh, Pakse, Siem Reap. See all connections on our Kratie bus page.
Do I need a visa to take the bus from Vientiane to Kratie?+
This journey crosses from Laos into Cambodia. 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 Kratie bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Vientiane (Get in) ↗Wikivoyage: Kratie (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →