Capital city in Vientiane Prefecture, Laos
Getting around Vientiane
How to get around Vientiane
Cycling, tuk-tuks and ride-hailing cars cover the compact center. A few city buses run, but taxis or Loca are easier for visitors.
Ways to get around Vientiane
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Tuk-tuk and jumbo | 30,000–80,000 LAK per trip | Agree the price first; foreigners are quoted high |
| City buses | About 6,000–10,000 LAK | Cheap but infrequent and hard to follow without Lao |
| Laos–China Railway | From about 200,000 LAK to Luang Prabang | Vientiane station is about 10 km north of the center |
Ride-hailing apps in Vientiane
A 5 km ride costs about ₭40,000–90,000 ($1.8–4.0).
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| LOCA | Local app with cars and tuk-tuks in Vientiane |
| inDrive | Negotiated fares; usable when LOCA drivers are scarce |
- Metered taxis are few. Use LOCA or agree the fare before getting into a tuk-tuk.
Arriving in Vientiane
Wattay International (VTE)
Airport is about 4 km from the center; taxi 50,000–100,000 LAK, 15 min. Fixed-price taxi counter outside arrivals.
Driving and onward travel
- Scooters: Rentals about 100,000–200,000 LAK a day. Laos licence rules apply and police check foreigners; insurance is not usually included.
- Driving: on the right. Carry a 1949 IDP and your home licence; in any crash, foreigners usually pay compensation regardless of fault.
- Onward travel in Laos: The Laos–China Railway links Vientiane, Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang and the Chinese border; trains sell out, so book ahead. Elsewhere it's buses, minivans and Mekong slow boats.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in Vientiane?
No. Use LOCA, inDrive instead.
What's the best way to get around Vientiane?
Cycling, tuk-tuks and ride-hailing cars cover the compact center. A few city buses run, but taxis or Loca are easier for visitors.
How do I get from the airport to Vientiane?
Airport is about 4 km from the center; taxi 50,000–100,000 LAK, 15 min. Fixed-price taxi counter outside arrivals.
Is Vientiane walkable?
Walkable center.
More about Vientiane
Going to Vientiane solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Vientiane meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.