How to get fromChiang Rai (State) to Vientianeby car, plane, bus or train

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There are 6 ways to get from Chiang Rai (State) to Vientiane by car, plane, bus, or train

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

Drive, fly
best
1. Drive from Chiang Khong to Louang Namtha Airport (LXG)
2. Fly from Louang Namtha Airport (LXG) to Wattay International Airport (VTE)LXG - VTE
3h 42m
$98–138
Bus via Khon Kaen
cheapest
1. Take the bus from Chiang Rai to Khon Kaen
2. Take the bus from Khon Kaen to Vientiane Talat Sao Station
18h
$23–26
Bus, train
1. Take the bus from Chiang Rai to Phitsanulok Bus TerminalRoute No.909
2. Take the train from Tha Phra to Nong Khai133
10h 35m
Drive 556.1 km
1. Drive from Chiang Rai to Vientiane556.1 km
9h 34m
$100–144
Bus
1. Take the bus from Chiang Rai to Chiang MaiChiang Rai
2. Take the bus from Chaing Mai Arcade Bus Terminal to Nong Khai
18h 45m
$38–53
Bus via Chiang Mai
1. Take the bus from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai
2. Take the bus from Chiang Mai to Udon Thani876
3. Take the bus from Udon Thani to Vientiane Talat Sao Station
20h 20m
$27–65

Chiang Rai (State) to Vientiane by bus

7Weekly Buses

18h 45mAverage Duration

$38Cheapest Price

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Chiang Rai (State) to Vientiane.

Launch map view

Distance: 538.7 km
Duration: 3h 42m

What companies run services between Chiang Rai (State), Thailand and Vientiane, Laos?

You can take a bus from Chiang Rai to Vientiane Talat Sao Station via Khon Kaen in around 18h.

Transport is disrupted due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Read more

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Vientiane, Laos(opens in a new window)

Vientiane is the capital and largest city of Laos. Comprising the five urban districts of Vientiane Prefecture, the city is located on the banks of the Mekong, right at the border with Thailand. Vientiane was the administrative capital during French rule and, due to economic growth in recent times, is now the economic center of Laos. The city had a population of 1,001,477 as of the 2023 Census.

Things to do in Vientiane

Patuxai(Opens in a new window)

Patuxai (Lao: ປະຕູໄຊ, literally meaning Victory Gate or Gate of Triumph, formerly the Anousavary or Anosavari Monument, known by the French as Monument Aux Morts) is a war monument in the centre of Vientiane, Laos, which was built between 1957 and 1968. The Patuxai is dedicated to those who fought in the struggle for independence from France. In romanising the name from the Laotian language, it is variously transliterated as Patuxai, Patuxay, Patousai and Patusai. It is also called Patuxai Arch or the Arc de Triomphe of Vientiane as it resembles the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. However, it is typically Laotian in design, decorated with mythological creatures such as the kinnari (half-female, half-bird).

Haw Phra Kaew(Opens in a new window)

Haw Phra Kaew (Lao: ຫໍພະແກ້ວ), also written as Ho Prakeo, Hor Pha Keo and other similar spellings, is a former temple in Vientiane, Laos. It is situated on Setthathirath Road, to the southeast of Wat Si Saket. It was first built in 1565 to house the Emerald Buddha, but had been several rebuilt a few times. The interior now houses a museum of religious art and a small shop.

Buddha Park(Opens in a new window)

Buddha Park, also known as Xieng Khuan (as well as other variations of the spelling), is a sculpture park located 25 km southeast from Vientiane, Laos in a meadow by the Mekong River. Although it is not a temple (Wat), the park may be referred to as Wat Xieng Khuan (Lao: ວັດຊຽງຄວນ;Thai: วัดเซียงควน), since it contains numerous religious images. The name Xieng Khuan means Spirit City. The park contains over 200 Hindu and Buddhist statues. The socialist government operates Buddha Park as a tourist attraction and public park.

Lao National Museum(Opens in a new window)

The Lao National Museum is located in Vientiane, Laos. It was founded as the national museum highlighting the revolution of the 1970s and is located in a French colonial building. In 2007, the United States donated a grant to help develop the museum. The museum, which was originally built in 1925 as the French governor’s residence, presents the history of Laos, highlighting the Laotian people’s struggle to free the country from foreign occupiers and imperialist forces. It is located on Samsenthai road, opposite the Cultural Hall.

Places to stay in Vientiane

Lao Poet Hotel(Opens in a new window)

9.0Fabulous

Urbanite Hotel(Opens in a new window)

8.7Fabulous

Hotel Khamvongsa(Opens in a new window)

8.5Very Good

SureStay Hotel by Best Western Vientiane(Opens in a new window)

8.7Fabulous

Rome2Rio makes travelling from Chiang Rai (State) to Vientiane easy.

Rome2Rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Find all the transport options for your trip from Chiang Rai (State) to Vientiane right here. Rome2Rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make an informed decision about which option will suit you best. Rome2Rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward.