Laos forum

I just rode into town ( Vientiane ) this morning on the overnight VIP bus from Luang Prabang. I purchased my ticket ahead of time for 140,000 kip which included pick up from my guesthouse. The tickets are slightly cheaper at the bus terminal in LP but you need to get to it (110,000 I think).
I was charioted to the bus station by 1845hr, checked in (you need to exchange your purchase voucher for a ticket that includes your seat number and a food voucher). By 1930hr the bus was packed and off we headed. I noticed that some local gents actually climbed in the baggage compartment under the seats (which are the elevated type) and rode along. Having travelled in Laos for a few weeks I have not seen theft or issues – but something to consider is to make double sure all your worldly “goodies” are with you in the bus. On previous travels around the planet I have even purchased two bus tickets so my main pack could also travel with me and not on the roof or under the bus.
The bus did stop a few times along the way for the typical locals on/off but the roads were quiet and the trip uneventful. We stopped somewhere for a dinner break of Lao noodles around 1230hrs and arrived into Vientiane at 0530hr. I had read somewhere that the bus terminal in Vientiane is only a couple of kilometres from town. I almost opted to walk due to the cramps in the legs from sitting and I was very glad I didn’t because it was a good 10 minute ride in a tuk-tuk at full throttle to get into the city center (10,000 per person).
Safe journey.

Hi cat... no the station did not look at all like those photos so I am assuming it is the new one. Very large central bus barn type building with bright lights. The tuk-tuks where behind where we stopped and they had us routed to town before anyone even went into the station. When I look at the map it is hard to tell. I know the airport is out that way, but it was still pretty dark when we arrived and I did not see if it was on the left or right of our drive in. We took at least one left hand turn which seemed to put us onto the main drag to city center.

Cheers.

here:
http://laomeow.blogspot.com/2010/12/new-vientiane-northern-bus-station.html

& hobomaps.com has already updated their VTE Region map to reflect the new location at GK142:
http://hobomaps.com/VientianeRegionMap.html

still no info in the latest LP laos

think it went to the publisher's before the bus station moved.

How much it cost to reach it by tuk-tuk from the airport?

last i knew, tuktuks to anywhere in town from the airport terminal charged a fixed rate of ~50,000kip (slightly over USD6 now)...maybe others have more up to date info?

cheaper would be to walk ~400m from the terminal building out to the main road & flag down a passing tuktuk & negotiate. but not if you have a heavy load to carry.

Tuk-Tuk is one of the best way to travel.

Hi fi0na...Nice info
From the map i've read, the new northern bus station is about 5 km from Talat Sao Bus Station (it is probably where u've been dropped off if i'm not mistaken), hope it won't cost that much form the airport.
About the bus ticket to LPB, can it be reserved a day before? Since i probably arrived at the station at about 5 p.m. and the VIP bus leave at 8 p.m. i'm not sure the ticket still available if it is so crowded as you've experienced.

Did the bus stop off at Vang Vieng on the way?