Travellers can book online trains in Laos and receive the electronic tickets by email, ready for boarding.
We support advance ticket booking for 10 stations in Laos, including Vientiane, Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, Muang Xay and Luang Namtha.
We also support ticket booking for international train routes connecting Laos with China and Thailand.
Train companies in Laos
The railway network in Laos is managed by Laos-China Railway (LCR), a joint venture company participated by Laos and China governments. In the present, trains transiting the Laos railway network are pulled by electric locomotives circulating at a speed of 120-160 km/h.
Laos-China Railway
Laos-China Railway (LCR) operates two types of train services:
- - High-speed trains
- - Ordinary trains
High-speed trains
The high-speed railway service is operated with CR200J trainsets running at a maximum speed of 160 km/h.
High-speed trains are designated by a letter identifying the class of service followed by two numerals:
- - C8x is the daily high-speed service stopping at all the stations.
- - C9x is the daily high-speed service stopping at the major stations.
The high-speed trains offer three seat passenger classes:
- - Business class Seat available on certain trains
- - First class Seat
- - Second class Seat
First class Seat
Second class Seat
Ordinary trains
The ordinary railway service is operated with HXD3CA locomotives running at a maximum speed of 120 km/h.
Ordinary trains are designated by a letter identifying the class of service followed by two numerals:
- - K1x is the daily ordinary service stopping at all the stations.
The ordinary trains offer one seat passenger class:
- - Hard Seat
Hard Seat
Getting around Laos by train
Laos has 422 km of standard gauge electrified railway tracks.
We facilitate advance ticket booking for trains operated by Laos-China Railway (LCR) in Laos and China.
Ticket reservation is available 3 days in advance for domestic trains and 14 days in advance for international trains.
Vientiane–Boten Line serving Vientiane, Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, Muang Xay and Luang Namtha
| Stations | C91/92 | C97/98 | C81/82 | C85/86 | K11/12 |
| Vientiane | |||||
| Phon Hong | — | — | — | ||
| Vang Vieng | |||||
| Kasi | — | — | — | — | |
| Luang Prabang | |||||
| Muang Nga | — | ||||
| Muang Xay | |||||
| Na Mor | — | ||||
| Na Teuy | |||||
| Boten |
All trains stop, — Trains do not stop
| Stations | D83/84 | D87/88 |
| Vientiane | ||
| Phon Hong | — | — |
| Vang Vieng | ||
| Kasi | — | — |
| Luang Prabang | ||
| Muang Nga | — | — |
| Muang Xay | — | |
| Na Mor | — | — |
| Na Teuy | — | — |
| Boten | ||
| Mohan | ||
| Xishuangbanna | ||
| Pu'er | ||
| Yuxi | — | |
| Kunming South | ||
| Kunming |
All trains stop, — Trains do not stop
Destinations
Laos is divided into three regions: Northern Laos, Central Laos and Southern Laos.
Central Laos
Central Laos comprises Vientiane and the provinces of Houaphanh, Xiangkhouang, Xaisomboun, Bolikhamsai and Khammouane.
Train routes to Vientiane
Train routes to Vang Vieng
Northern Laos
Northern Laos comprises Luang Prabang and the provinces of Phongsali, Oudomxay, Luang Namtha, Bokeo and Sainyabuli.
Train routes to Luang Prabang
Train routes to Muang Xay
Train routes to Luang Namtha
International train routes to Laos
Laos has a direct international railway connection with China through the Boten–Mohan border checkpoint in Luang Namtha province and with Thailand through Khamsavath railway station in Vientiane.
China
Laos is connected with direct international trains to Xishuangbanna, Pu'er, Yuxi and Kunming in Yunnan province, China.
International train routes from China
Thailand
Laos is connected with direct international trains to Nong Khai, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Ayutthaya and Bangkok in Thailand.
International train routes from Thailand
How to book train tickets in Laos
Booking your train tickets in Laos is very quick and simple. Search for train routes between any two cities for your travel dates.
Select your route
After search, we will display the results for your itinerary.
Find the train services operated by Laos-China Railway (LCR) available for your itinerary and select the most convenient option.
Reservation of train tickets in Laos is available 3 days in advance, as ticket sale opens 3 days before departure. Reservation of international train tickets from Laos to China is available 14 days in advance.
Click to expand the details of the route, you will find the available fares.
- - Business class Seat, available in high-speed trains.
- - First class Seat, available in high-speed trains.
- - Second class Seat, available in high-speed trains.
- - Hard Seat, available in ordinary trains.
Fill in the passenger and contact details
Next, provide the passenger(s) information.
Baolau currently does not support seat selection on trains in Laos but you can indicate your preference during the reservation process and we will consider your request depending on the availability.
Don't forget to provide the contact details of the person responsible for booking. We will send the ticket confirmation by email.
Complete your payment
Select your payment method. We accept international credit or debit cards.
Check your itinerary and price breakdown. Confirm that the booking information is correct. Before you proceed to payment, you must read and accept the terms and conditions of booking.
Receive your electronic ticket by email
Once your payment is complete, your reservation will be processed.
In the following 24 hours you will receive the itinerary and booking confirmation by email with the electronic ticket attached in PDF format.
You can also access to Manage your booking via web and download the electronic ticket to your device.
How to use the train e-ticket?
The electronic ticket is a valid boarding pass and can be used to board the train or pick up the physical ticket at the station of departure.
Passengers travelling with Laos-China Railway can print the e-ticket in advance or carry a digital copy in the mobile phone to scan the QR code at the ticket gates.
RECEIVE YOUR E-TICKET BY EMAIL
Receive your electronic ticket by email in PDF format. Print a copy of the e-ticket in advance or carry it in your mobile phone.
PICK UP YOUR BOARDING PASS
Arrive at the station, scan the QR code included in your electronic ticket at the ticket gates or pick up the physical ticket and cross through the gates using your boarding pass.
BOARD THE TRAIN
Access the platform, locate your car number and wait for the boarding call to board the train. Find your seat number in the electronic ticket or in the physical ticket.