What It’s Really Like to Travel on the Laos Railway: Everything You Need to Know

Tjasa — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 15:27:34 +0000

On our recent trip to Laos, we took the train twice: first from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng, and then from Vang Vieng to Vientiane.

Before arriving in Laos, the thought of taking the train stressed me out a little. There were so many negative reviews online about the whole experience. But what I expected to be the most challenging part of our journey actually turned out to be the easiest and one of the best things about Laos!

I did a lot of research before our trip, so I was well prepared for any possible issues.

HOW TO BUY TICKETS FOR THE LAOS TRAIN

The first challenge when taking the train in Laos is figuring out how to buy tickets. The main issue with the Laos-China railway tickets is that you need a local phone number. Without one, you can’t purchase them yourself.

There is an app available, so if you have a local number, you can book tickets by yourself.

Another challenge is that tickets can only be bought up to three days in advance. This means you won’t know for sure if you can travel to your next destination until just a few days before.

You can purchase tickets in person at agencies that sell them, and in most cases, your hotel can help arrange them for you. The other option is to buy them online.

WHERE DID WE BUY OUR TICKETS FOR THE LAOS RAILWAY?

I like to plan my trips a bit in advance, so I decided to buy our tickets through a website called Laos Train Tickets. I chose this agency mainly because of the detailed information on their website and the option to pay with PayPal, which made them seem safe and reliable.

You can select your tickets up to a month in advance. However, this does not mean you will receive them immediately. You will still get them only 2–3 days before your travel date. This option simply makes things easier, so you do not have to worry about last-minute bookings. The agency in Laos purchases the tickets for you.

To book, you will need to provide a photocopy of your passport.

You can choose between economy and business class. If tickets are not available for your selected date, you can select if you would prefer an earlier or later train on the same day, or the same train the following day. Alternatively, you also have an option to take a full refund.

This can happen if the train arriving in Laos from China is already full or if other agencies secure the tickets before them. Keep in mind that all agencies charge more than the official ticket price you would pay through the app.

We received our tickets by e-mail two days before our journey. In the e-mail, you will get a QR code that they will scan at the railway station.

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE ARRIVING AT A TRAIN STATION IN LAOS

You need to be at the station at least 40 minutes before departure. Keep in mind that the train stations in Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, and Vientiane are quite far from the city centres.

Before our trip, I read so many horror stories about corrupt railway staff in Laos confiscating travellers’ belongings. But in most cases, these travellers simply were not prepared for the trip.

You need to know what you can and cannot bring on the train in Laos. You cannot pack sharp objects, even in your ‘checked’ luggage. We knew this before travelling to Laos, so we did not pack any scissors, knives, or anything sharp. You cannot bring even the tiniest nail scissors.

The other thing that they have no tolerance for is the aerosols. Bring a deodorant in a stick version, and leave your hairspray at home, otherwise they will confiscate it. You must not bring any flammable materials, electronic cigarettes, or vapes.

Unlike at an airport, your entire bag will be checked, so be sure to follow the rules. If you do not bring any prohibited items with you, they will let you through without any issues.

One thing that really surprised us was the crowds. The Laos Railway stations are locked when there is no train. They only open about one hour before a train arrives. When the Laos Railways station doors open the Chinese tourists start to rush in.

They are pushing you out of the way and making sure that they are the first to enter. Keep in mind that this is one hour before train arrival and that we all already have tickets and assigned seats.

AT THE LAOS RAILWAY STATION

There is not much to do at the train stations in Laos. The stations in Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng are very similar. Plenty of toilets are available but keep in mind that there is no toilet paper, so bring your own.

There are also a few shops and a coffee shop at the station. Enough seating is provided for all the passengers waiting for the train to arrive.

When it is time to start boarding, they check your tickets once again and you are allowed onto the platform. The trains are very punctual, so be ready to board on time.

THE LAOS RAILWAY TRAIN RIDE

We booked business class tickets for both of our train journeys in Laos. We chose this option because the price difference was not significant, but the comfort was much better. In economy class, the seats are narrower with a 3-3 seating configuration.

Business class has only two seats together and offers much more space.

The only downside was that on our second journey, from Vang Vieng to Vientiane, we were assigned separate seats, so we could not sit together.

There is a clean toilet available on the train and you can food and drinks. During the journey, a food cart passes through the train, offering a selection of snacks and drinks.

All the bigger pieces of luggage are stored at the front or the back of each train section.
As for the views, do not expect too much. Since Laos is very mountainous, most of the journey will be inside the tunnels.

OUR EXPERIENCE

Even though the train ride seems stressful when reading online reviews, it actually turned out to be one of the best parts of travelling in Laos. As long as you follow a few simple rules about what to bring and choose the right agency, the whole experience can be smooth and hassle-free.

It is much faster than travelling by road and far more comfortable. We had a great experience, and when we return to Laos, we will definitely take the train again. The journey was easy, stress-free, and efficient, making travel in Laos so much more convenient.