THE SHORT VERSION
Vientiane to Pakse at a glance.
- From
- Vientiane ວຽງຈັນ
- To
- Pakse ປາກເຊ
- Road distance
- About 599 km
- Straight line
- 464 km
- Car time, no stops
- ~7 h 30 min buses take longer
- Return route
- Pakse to Vientiane →
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 Pakse
Tell a tuk-tuk driver your final destination and they'll know which station you need.
- Northern Bus Station
About 10 km north on Route 13. Local buses north, plus some services to Vietnam. - Southern Bus Station
About 8 km south. Buses towards the 4,000 Islands and the Cambodian border. - VIP bus stations
Near the town centre. Overnight sleeper buses to Vientiane.
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.
- VIP sleepers to Vientiane run overnight. Compare companies before booking.
KEEP GOING
From Pakse, the road continues.
Other ways to reach Pakse
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 Pakse by road?+
About 599 km by road (464 km in a straight line). Distance is an OpenStreetMap routing estimate, not an operator figure.
How long does the bus from Vientiane to Pakse take?+
We don't publish timetables. As a guide, the drive takes roughly 7 h 30 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 Pakse to Vientiane?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Pakse to Vientiane guide.
Where does the bus from Vientiane arrive in Pakse?+
It depends on the operator. In Pakse, services use Northern Bus Station, Southern Bus Station, VIP bus stations. Tell a tuk-tuk driver your final destination and they'll know which station you need.
How do I get from the bus stop to the centre of Pakse?+
Tell a tuk-tuk driver your final destination and they'll know which station you need.
What kind of bus runs from Vientiane to Pakse?+
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 Pakse 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 Pakse by bus?+
Direct buses from Pakse include Ubon Ratchathani, Nakasong, Savannakhet, Thakhek, Hue and more. See all connections on our Pakse bus page.
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 Pakse bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Vientiane (Get in) ↗Wikivoyage: Pakse (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →