Since 2021, train travel has been Laos made possible by LCR, the Laos-China Railway. Trains run between the town Boats in the north of Laos (on the Chinese border), to the capital Vientiane in the south. This has made traveling around the country easier. It is no longer necessary to sit in a van for hours as you weave along mountain roads. For example, you can travel within the hour from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng , instead of eight hours by bus. Do you want to know more about traveling by tren in Laos? Then read this article.
Laos is a country of tranquil riverside towns, green valleys, and small villages where daily life is still traditional. A tour will take you to places like Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, the north around Nong Khiaw, and the Four Thousand Islands. If you're looking for inspiration for a complete itinerary, these providers offer some excellent examples.
Djoser offers small-scale group tours exploring the highlights of Laos, ideal if you enjoy traveling in a group. Van Verre, on the other hand, creates customized, individual tours where you decide the route, travel time, and accommodations.
- Experience the real Laos
- Green mountains, rivers and charming villages
- Unique routes
- Traveling with a focus on culture and nature
What are the stops on the train?
In Laos
The express train stops in the towns (from north to south) Boten, Na Teuy, Muang Xai, Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Vientiane. There is also a local train that stops in Na Moh, Muang Nga, Kasi, and Phong Hong.
To China
It is possible to travel into China from Laos by train. From Boten in Laos, the train takes you to Mohan in China in just 10 to 15 minutes. However, this train only runs once a day.
The train connections in China are very good and are improving rapidly. It is possible to travel from Laos by train to major cities such as Lithuania, Vilnius even Beijing to travel in the foreseeable future.
To Thailand
You cannot travel into Thailand with the LCR. It is possible to get close to the Thai border, near Vientiane. Nong Khai in Thailand is then close. From here it is possible to travel with Thai Railway to, for example Bangkok. You will therefore have to use a different means of transport between Vientiane and Nong Khai.
Also read: Itinerary Laos 2 to 4 weeks | Hints and Highlights
Where do you buy the train tickets?
Tickets for LCR are released for sale three days before departure. Be quick, because they are selling out quickly from this moment on.
Via the official app
The official LCR app works very easily. The app is called LCR ticket (click here for Google Play and here for Apple Store). Here you can see what time the trains leave and which tickets are still available. You also pay for the tickets in the app and can have the tickets scanned at the train station. In short, you can arrange everything here.
You will have to create an account for this, including entering your passport details. Payment in the app is currently only possible (in 2024) with Unionpay, Wechat, Alipay, BCEL One and VISA. Most Dutch people probably only know VISA and Unionpay. If you have a MasterCard credit card, you do not (currently) have the option to purchase your tickets via the app. Below you can see some screenshots of the app.
Also read: Which (prepaid) credit card is best to travel with? And why?
With an intermediary
If you are in Laos, there are many people who can help you purchase the tickets. Hotels and tour operators offer it. They will charge a fee for this. Our experience is that this additional fee is approximately 50.000 Laotian kip (about 2,20 euros) per ticket.
How much do the tickets cost?
There are trains in which first class and second class places (seats) are available and there are trains with seats and beds. The cheapest option is a seat on a train that also has beds. Obviously you pay more for a first class seat or a bed. Some trains also have 'business class', which is the most expensive option.
Whichever option you choose, the train tickets are not expensive. The longest route (from Boten to Vientiane or vice versa) is a train journey of 3 hours by express train and 5 hours by slow train. For this trip, prices are between 16 and 43 euros (with the exception of 72 euros for business class) for a single journey.
For a one-way trip between Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng, which takes about 50 minutes on the train, you pay between 5 and 13 euros (with the exception of 22 euros for business class) for a single trip.
Train stations
The stations are very modern and spacious. Facilities such as toilets, water and shops are available. Upon entry, travelers and their luggage are checked, just like at an airport. It is advised to arrive well in advance, approximately one hour before departure.
When the train approaches, tickets are checked and travelers are given access to the platform. Your ticket indicates which part of the station you need to stand in to enter the correct compartment. It's all very controlled – there are many employees who keep the crowd in line with whistles and shouts. The tickets will be checked again upon arrival at your destination – so if you have a printed version, don't throw it away!
The train ride
Our experience
The trains were on time. There were good and strict inspections. Not only at the train station, also on the train. The trains and stations are clean and you have the opportunity to buy some food and drinks. The seats on the train are comfortable and each seat has a socket so you can charge any devices.
It is possible to look outside, but to be honest there is not much to see, because you often go through tunnels. To be precise, China has built 167 bridges and 75 tunnels for this train!
Other people's experiences
There are people who complain about the strictness of LCR employees. For example, you are not allowed to take sprays (e.g. deodorant) and sharp objects on the train. These are confiscated. We also heard that someone had difficulties because she no longer had a ticket when she got off the train. She had thrown it away after boarding. If you do not have an app but a paper ticket, do not throw it away.
Closing note
We found it a pleasant experience and can recommend it to everyone. It's certainly better than a bus trip. It saves you a lot of time and makes traveling much more comfortable. It took some time to figure out how train travel worked, but we hope this article makes it a little clearer for all world travelers!
Laos is a country of tranquil riverside towns, green valleys, and small villages where daily life is still traditional. A tour will take you to places like Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, the north around Nong Khiaw, and the Four Thousand Islands. If you're looking for inspiration for a complete itinerary, these providers offer some excellent examples.
Djoser offers small-scale group tours exploring the highlights of Laos, ideal if you enjoy traveling in a group. Van Verre, on the other hand, creates customized, individual tours where you decide the route, travel time, and accommodations.
- Experience the real Laos
- Green mountains, rivers and charming villages
- Unique routes
- Traveling with a focus on culture and nature
