New update (2025 Sep)
Want to book Laos High Speed Rail tickets in advance from outside the country before you travel to Laos by a fair price? We recommend a new Laos train ticket online agency Laostrain.com, which is developed by a Chinese travel agency friend of Manifa Travel.
Unlike the official mobile app introducing in this page, you can buy tickets without verifying your Lao phone number, so you can book train tickets from outside Laos.
The price is a little higher than the regular price, but it is much cheaper than other online agencies. I think it’s a fair price.
Unlike other agencies, Laostrain.com booking system is connected to the train company’s system, so you can check ticket availability in real time.
Supports various payment methods such as credit cards.
However, please note that with reservation agencies, including this one, there is a possibility that your reservation may be canceled after it has been made due to full capacity.
Railway tickets go on sale early 10 days before the boarding date. It often sells out the day before. Therefore, if you want to ensure to get a train ticket, you should buy the ticket as soon as the sale starts. Currently, if you are a foreigner traveler still not enter Laos yet and want to board the train immediately after entering Laos, you have no choice but to book through an online agency in advance.
Overview
Foreign tourists can book and purchase tickets for the Laos-China high-speed railway at the regular price using the official railway company app, “LCR Ticket.” We created this page because there is a lack of adequate information for foreign travelers. Please read this page carefully to purchase your tickets and enjoy your trip to Laos.
You can purchase train tickets with a credit card (VISA only) through the official “LCR Ticket” app for iPhone/Android.
To purchase tickets on the app, you must verify your identity using a short message service (SMS) with a mobile phone number from Laos, China, Thailand, or Vietnam. Therefore, you can only buy tickets after you have entered one of these countries and installed a local SIM card.
Online ticket sales begin early in the morning, 10 days before the departure date (this was recently changed from 3 days). During peak tourist season, tickets tend to sell out as soon as they are released.
All seats on this train are reserved.
If you are unable to purchase a ticket at least two days before your departure, you should promptly buy one from an online reseller.
It is important to have a flexible travel plan in case you cannot purchase your desired ticket through the LCR Ticket app, to avoid disrupting your entire trip. Consider alternative transportation, such as a Lao Airlines flight between Vientiane and Luang Prabang (which costs around $50), or be prepared to travel on a different day.
Buy a SIM card in Laos
Unitel SIM cards can be purchased at airports and land borders. They can also be easily found in city stores (stores selling drinks, snacks, and daily necessities).
Unitel supplies a Net SIM card for 10,000 kip with 300 MB with data-only and SMS, no voice. When you successfully register your information, you will be given another 1 GB valid for 30 days and an additional 1 GB valid for the first 7 days of each of the following two months.
Let’s leave the SIM setting work to the shop staff. Now you can use SMS authentication to buy train tickets.
There is also a Voice & data SIM option, but it is not necessary for travelers. Local data SIMs are cheaper than international roaming. To learn more about mobile phones in Laos, the following sites are comprehensive and helpful.
Laos High Speed Railway Schedule and Fares
- The latest timetables can be found on the LCR mobile app and on the official Facebook page of Laos China Railway Company Limited.
- Most up trains from Vientiane to Luang Prabang depart in the morning.
- Most down trains from Luang Prabang to Vientiane depart in the afternoon.
- High-speed train between Luang Prabang and Vientiane takes about 2 hours. Even ordinary train takes less than 3 hours.
- There is only one round trip international train to Kunming, China per day (there seems to be an additional trip during Chinese holidays).
Book your Laos High Speed Railway ticket with the LCR app.
The LCR application can be downloaded from Apple and Google APPs stores. User registration requires SMS authentication using a phone number in Laos, China, Thailand, or Vietnam.
- Lao Railway tickets can be purchased from early morning 10 days in advance.
- For trains from China to Laos, tickets can be purchased 15 days in advance from the official Chinese app “铁路12306” (Railway 12306), not the LCR app. This app does not require SMS verification.
- Multiple payment options are offered, but only VISA credit cards (not MASTER or others) and China Union pay for foreign travelers.
- A QR code will be displayed in the app, which can be used as your ticket at the station. (For international trains, you must go to the ticket counter in advance, present your QR code and passport, and have a physical ticket issued.)
- You can purchase tickets for up to 10 people at once (passport information for every person is required).
- Ticket purchases cannot be made at night (Laos time). If you tap “Book,” a message will appear stating, “Not accessible during non-business hours.”
- Children above 1.2m (394 feet) must purchase a ticket. There is a child discount rate provision for children 1.2-1.5 meters but it is not implemented in the app.
- Official face-to-face ticket sales and support services are conducted at the sales offices at each station and city. The official ticket sales location in the city of Luang Prabang is here, Vientiane is here
- An additional fee of 20,000 Kip (about $1 USD) is charged when using the app or purchasing from an official ticket office outside a station. Other resellers will charge higher fees (typically 30% or more).
Generic information
The express trains are limited to 20 kilograms of luggage per passenger.
Passengers must carry photo identification (passport) and should arrive at the station at least one hour before departure time and remain in the waiting area for inspection of tickets and documents.
Ordinary train tickets are sold for same-day travel and immediate departure so passengers may have a good chance to a get a ticket and a seat if they arrive early and may not need to purchase tickets the day before. Passengers will be allowed to carry more baggage on ordinary trains than the 20 kilogram limit.
Fast Train (Train number C8X for domestic, D8X for interternational)
Ordinary Train (Train number K1X)
To and from the railway stations
Make sure to ask us or your hotel to pick you up in advance. You can use the following local public services:
Vientiane: City bus available to/from train station. They are connected to/from Central Bus Station (CBS) (15 km) and Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge boarder point (22 km). You can take a tuk-tuk from the Central Bus Station (CBS) to your hotel. Cabs are also available from the station. You can use the Mobile Taxi app (LOCA, iphone or android) to dispatch a ride from a designated location to the station.
Vang Vieng: Tuktuk (2 km)
Luang Prabang: There is a shared/private shuttle van service. Your hotel staff will arrange it for you. (12 km)