Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng Journey: How We Did It with a Toddler

When you’re traveling full-time with two little kids, you learn really fast that convenience is everything. If the route’s simple, safe, and fast? We’re in. If it involves long windy mountain roads, buses with questionable brakes, or six transfers before nap time… that might just be a hard pass.

We were in Vietnam, slowly making our way toward Thailand, and knew we wanted to stop in Laos. Luang Prabang was a no-brainer, calm, beautiful, and culturally rich, but after we realized rental prices there weren’t exactly budget-friendly. That’s how Vang Vieng popped up on our radar: nature, river access, lots of outdoor stuff for the kids, and a much better price point.

The only catch? You can’t fly into Vang Vieng. There’s no airport. And while the drive is technically doable, it’s five hours through the mountains not ideal with a toddler and preschooler in tow, especially in Laos’ rainy season.

So, if you’re looking for the best way to get from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng with kids this is it.

Why We Traveled from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng as a Family

Laos has a high-speed train system and it’s honestly the kind of infrastructure I wish more countries had especially in Southeast Asia. The Laos-China Railway, completed in 2021, connects the town of Boten on the Chinese border all the way down to the capital city, Vientiane. And it conveniently stops in both Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng.

Once we found out about the train, there was no need to even look at buses or private drivers. The van ride would’ve taken around 4.5–5 hours, winding through mountainous roads that can be slow, bumpy, and not exactly the safest during rainy season. And let’s be real keeping two small kids entertained in a cramped van for that long? Not ideal.

Instead, the train zipped us there in just under an hour. It was smooth, air-conditioned, clean, and stress-free.

And unlike so many “budget” transport options that feel chaotic or unpredictable, this train was efficient and on-time. Every step from the security check to boarding felt organized.

For families considering this route, I really can’t recommend the train enough. It’s safe, fast, comfortable, and makes traveling through Laos feel a lot more manageable especially if you’re juggling naptimes, tired legs, or a backpack full of snacks.

How We Chose Our Transportation Option

To be honest we didn’t even entertain the idea of hiring a driver. But here’s the catch it’s not as straightforward to book your ticket as it might be in other countries.

We used laostrain.com, but it’s not like booking a flight where your e-ticket just shows up in your inbox and you’re done. Nope. Someone actually has to go to the physical train station in Laos to pick up and electronically send you the QR code. 

Luckily, Laostrain.com offers an option where you pay a small third-party fee and someone on the ground work does all that for you. Totally worth it. The train station in Luang Prabang is a bit outside of town, and we didn’t want to haul the kids out there the day before just to collect a slip of paper. So we booked online, paid the add-on fee, and our tickets were delivered to our email. An additional option is to use 12go.asia as this website allows you to purchase train tickets throughout southeast Asia.

Heads-up for parents booking in advance:

• If your train is canceled (like ours was on the way back to Luang Prabang), you need to contact them directly. Don’t assume they’ll automatically fix it.
• We initially got rebooked on a train that left four hours later, which would’ve made us miss our flight, which is definitely not ideal.
• But once we emailed them and explained the issue, they were great about it. Refunded us in full and immediately booked us a new one.

Just make sure you leave a note in your booking if you’re on a tight schedule, something like “Please contact me before booking a replacement train if this one is canceled.” That way, they know to check in before throwing you on a train that doesn’t work with your travel plans.

The extra fee for the ticket pickup service was small like a few dollars, but absolutely worth it for the peace of mind. Especially when you’re juggling naps, backpacks, and the mental load of parenting while traveling. Trust me you’ll want that part off your plate.

What We Packed for the Journey with a Toddler (and Didn’t Regret)

This train ride was short and sweet and we had all our belongings with us anyways. 

• One carrier
• Our iPad loaded with movies (lifesavers)
• Snacks and water
• A travel potty seat for our youngest (she’s still little and refuses “big” toilets)
  

Everything fit easily on the train, there’s overhead space for bags and since kids under 3 can sit on your lap, we didn’t need a separate ticket for our toddler. We didn’t bother with coloring books or toys this time. The iPad did all the heavy lifting.

The Actual Journey: From Departure to Arrival

So here’s the thing the Luang Prabang train station isn’t exactly in town. It’s about 12 km outside the city center, which means you’ll need to factor in a tuk-tuk or Loca car to get there. We arranged a tuk tuk truck ride ahead of time after running into a driver on the street who provided us a decent price of 150,000 kip and I’d definitely recommend doing the same. You don’t want to be scrambling for a ride last minute, especially with little ones in tow and bags flying everywhere.

Once you get there, it’s actually a really smooth process, but still pretty official. Think airport-style security, just less chaotic. You’ll need your passport and your QR coded ticket to enter the station.

Here’s what happens:

• First, you show your passport and ticket at the entrance.
• Then, your bags go through a scanner, and you walk through a metal detector.
• And yesthey will find anything sharp. We had a pocketknife tucked into our checked bag and it got flagged. No option to check it or store it, they tossed it. So if you’ve got anything like that, just don’t bring it.

Once you’re through security, you’ll head into the main waiting hall and honestly? It’s nicer than some airports we’ve flown through. It’s clean, air-conditioned, and pretty chill. There are bathrooms, a few food stalls selling snacks and drinks, and plenty of seating. Everything is super clear there are digital screens showing train numbers and destinations, so you’ll know exactly when it’s time to move.

Boarding is straightforward:

When they’re ready to board your train, they’ll call out for everyone to board and if you don’t understand well it’ll show on the wall display as well. The staff scans your ticket again and sends you through to the platform. There’s only one platform at Luang Prabang station, so it’s not overwhelming, but they do keep things organized. You’ll notice markers along the platform showing where each car will stop, so just find your number and wait there.

The train usually pulls in just a few minutes before departure not super early, so don’t be surprised if you’re waiting on the platform without a train in sight for a bit. But once it rolls in, the staff keeps things moving. They’re big on efficiency, and honestly? We were on board and rolling out right on time.

A few notes for fellow parents:

• The platform is supervised, but definitely hold onto your kids. This is the bullet train and it can move fast, and they expect people to stay way behind the lines until boarding starts.
• If you’re traveling with more than one adult, tag-team. One handles the kids, the other does the luggage shuffle.
• The staff are used to families and tourists, so it didn’t feel intimidating at all.

The whole process, start to finish, was surprisingly smooth and well-organized. We’ve had rougher boarding experiences flying out of big city airports in the U.S., honestly. No delays, no confusion, and no chaos even with toddlers in the mix.

Keeping Kids Comfortable on the Go

The train itself was clean. We were in an air-conditioned car with comfy seats that reclined a bit. Our 5 year old stretched out and watched a movie, while the toddler sat on my lap and played.

There’s a bathroom on board (western-style), but we were really glad we had our travel potty seat with us. The ride was so short and smooth, the kids were happy.

Food, Drinks & Pit Stops (or Lack Thereof)

There was food available for purchase on the train, but we skipped it since it was such a quick ride. We filled our water bottles at the station beforehand (there’s a water fountain available for drinking water), and that kept us covered. Honestly, it’s one of those trips where you’re better off eating before or after and just snacking if needed.

The Scenery and the Vibes Along the Way

Okay, here’s where I’ll be real with you: I expected sweeping views of the Laos countryside… and a lot of it was mountains and tunnels. The ride cuts through the terrain in a way that makes it fast and efficient, but not super scenic.

Still, the glimpses of untouched forest and dramatic peaks were beautiful when they did show up. Window seats are still worth it, even if you’re not glued to the view the whole time.

Arriving in Vang Vieng: What to Expect with Kids

Getting from the Vang Vieng train station to your accommodation is simple but can be pricey. There are tuk-tuks waiting outside that charge a set fare, which is higher than what locals pay. We paid 150,000 kip, even though our Airbnb host said the usual rate was around 100,000. Still, it was easy, and with luggage and kids in tow, we weren’t about to argue too much.

On the way back, our host arranged a ride for us at the local rate. If you’re looking to save, use the Loca app for quotes, or have your accommodation book ahead for you.

What We’d Do Differently Next Time

Honestly? Not much. The Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng train is one of the smoothest, most family-friendly legs of our entire gap year.

If I had to nitpick:

• I’d double-confirm the train time if there’s a tight connection afterward (like a flight).
• I’d book a morning train again it just made the day easier.
• I’d keep using a third-party ticket service, but give clearer instructions in case of cancellations.

Final Tips for Families Traveling from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng

• Book early, especially during peak travel times.
• Don’t stress over bringing a stroller we found a carrier and car seat combo more useful.
• Bring snacks, a travel potty seat, and something to entertain the kids.
• Remember: it’s just an hour. You’ve got this.
• And most of all: this route is absolutely doable with little ones. It’s safe, efficient, and surprisingly peaceful.

If you’re planning this trip and wondering whether it’s worth it 100% yes. Just plan ahead and enjoy the smoothest bullet train ride Laos has to offer.

More on the Blog:

Take a Hot Air Balloon ride in Vang Vieng.

Must see blue lagoons in Vang Vieng.

Traveling to Vang Vieng, here are kid friendly things to do.