Ready-made plans

Custom planning is temporarily unavailable for this route. Ready-made plans are still available.

Home › Journeys › Asia › Luang Prabang to Vientiane

Luang Prabang to Vientiane: Route Guide

Last updated:

Vang Vieng's karst peaks rising beyond green rice fields at dusk
Photo: Basile Morin · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Five days by road link Luang Prabang’s temple streets, Vang Vieng’s riverside karst views and Vientiane’s monuments and Mekong waterfront. Waterfalls, caves and adventure activities are optional.

Luang Prabang to Vientiane is a 314 km one-way journey (self-drive). It works best as a 5-day trip; the plan below is the 5-day version for December, built from 287 verified places, with planned transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

5
days
314km
distance
3
Stops
287
curated stops

View ready-made plans 5-day plan · best time to go

The route

Luang Prabang→ 187 kmVang Vieng→ 127 kmVientiane

What you'll see

Wat Xieng Thong
Admire the intricate architecture of Luang Prabang's oldest monastery.
Luang Prabang
Tham Poukham (Blue Lagoon)
Swim in crystal-clear waters and feed carp in the tranquil lagoon.
Vang Vieng
Pha That Luang
Reverence the gleaming, three-layered golden stupa, Laos’ sacred heart.
Vientiane
Royal Palace National Museum
Stroll through opulent royal state and private rooms in this museum.
Luang Prabang
Sunset Hill / Pha Ngeun
Hike steep trails for breathtaking 360° views of valleys and karst mountains.
Vang Vieng
Patuxai
Marvel at this grand, Buddhist-adorned monument towering above.
Vientiane
Phou Si Hill
Take in panoramic city views from the summit of this sacred hill.
Luang Prabang
Vang Vieng public town-river-and-karst-view circuit
Walk a bounded public town and river circuit with views into Vang Vieng’s karst landscape. Caves, lagoons, tubing, kayaking, balloons, climbs and operator-led activities remain optional.
Vang Vieng

Choose your length

5-day plan10 stops · 6.0 h transit2 stops/day · 1.2 h transit/daySee the full plan →

When to go

Best months: November, December, January, February

Dry season: alms-giving dawns in Luang Prabang and blue lagoons at Vang Vieng — the classic window.

See the month-by-month breakdown →

Similar journeys

View ready-made plans