Savannakhet

Bus

The main bus terminal in Savannakhet is located 2km from the centre of town on Makhasan Road. Tuk-tuks to and from the station usually run 10,000 kip per person.

Destinations within Laos
As ever, it is important to remember that this is Laos, not Switzerland. Though we've done our level best to nail down as much accurate information as we can, it never hurts to pay a visit a day in an advance and firm things up.

Mukhdahan, Thailand: Departs hourly, 08:15 to 17:00. Costs 45B.
Tha Khaek: Departs hourly, 08:00 to 16:00. Costs 20,000 kip. 175km, 2.5 hours.

Vientiane (Regular bus): Departs hourly from 06:00 to 22:00. Costs 55,000 kip. 495km, 9 hours.
Vientiane (VIP bus): Departs at 21:30. Costs 70,000 kip. 495km, 7 hours.
(Note: Vientiane-bound buses also stop in Tha Khaek, Paksan, Pakading, Nam Thone and just about everywhere else.)

Pakse: Five departures daily between 09:00 and 17:30. Costs 30,000 kip. 247km, 5 hours.
Nakasang, Don Khon, Don Khong: Departs 19:00. Costs 50,000 kip. 367km, 7 hours.
(Note: You should arrive by 19:00, but the bus may leave as late as 21:00)
Salavan:Departs 12:30. Costs 45,000 kip. 190km, 7 hours.
Sekong: Departs 10:30. Costs 60,000 kip 285km, 8 hours.
Attapeu: Departs 09:00. Costs 65,000 kip. 345km, 9 hours.

About 50m west of the bus station is the market and songthaew stand where songthaews leave regularly in the morning and very irregularly in the afternoon to destinations throughout the province. Best to get here at around 07:00 to be sure of a prompt departure, though better still to check estimated departure times the day before. At the bus station, the station manager speaks English and timetable information is displayed in English as well, though again, best to check the day before as timetables may fluctuate. Try to get on the bus about 30 minutes before departure to be sure of a seat.


Buses to Vietnam
There is a nightly departure at 22:00 that goes to the Lao Bao border. The bus arrives at the border at 03:00, and you'll have to sleep on the bus until the border opens at 08:00. After passing through the border, you'll be put on another bus to your desired destination.

Dong Ha/Quang Tri: 90,000 kip. 350km
Danang: 140,000 kip 580km
Hue: 110,000 kip 409km
Vinh: 200,000 kip 629km

On Saturday's there is a bus at 18:00 that goes to Danang. This should arrive at the border at about 23:00, and again, you'll have to sleep on the bus until the border opens at 08:00.

There are also some special buses:

Dong Ha: Departs on even-numbered days only at 08:00, costs US$12 and takes five hours. You can pay in US$ only.

Danang: Bus departs at 18:00, Saturdays only, 140,000 kip.

Hue: Departs on Saturday or Sunday at 07:30. Check with the station to firm up the day.

Alternately, you can just go to Lao Bao and catch a continuing bus on your own.
Lao Bao Border Departs 06:30, 09:30, 12:00. Costs 30,000 kip. 250km, 5 hours.

Boat

A boat across to Mukdahan costs 50B.

Getting Around

Savannakhet is small enough to walk around, though the trip to the bus station is best done by skylab.