Luang Prabang to Kunming train tickets
There are 2 trains a day from Luang Prabang to Kunming on the Laos-China Railway. The fastest takes 7h29m and tickets start from US$ 66.70. Crosses the Laos - China border at Boten / Mohan.
Pick your train and book in two minutes.
Every train on this route, with the full list of stops. Open Stop stations to see where each train calls and how long it waits.
| Train | Times | Duration | Classes | Days | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D88 |
09:50 → 18:34UTC+8 | 7h44m |
First Class
Second Class
|
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
|
US$ 66.70 | Book → |
Stop stations
Station Name
Arrival
Departure
Stop
Vientiane
08:00
08:00
--
Vang Vieng
08:52
08:55
3m
Luang Prabang
09:46
09:50
4m
Muang Xai
10:41
10:44
3m
Boten Border check
11:15
12:07
52m
MohanUTC+8 Border check
13:19
14:11
52m
XishuangbannaUTC+8
15:10
15:16
6m
Pu'erUTC+8
15:56
16:00
4m
YuxiUTC+8
17:52
17:56
4m
Kunming SouthUTC+8
18:34
18:34
--
|
||||||
| D84 Fastest |
13:15 → 21:44UTC+8 | 7h29m |
First Class
Second Class
|
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
|
US$ 66.70 | Book → |
Stop stations
Station Name
Arrival
Departure
Stop
Vientiane
11:25
11:25
--
Vang Vieng
12:17
12:20
3m
Luang Prabang
13:11
13:15
4m
Boten Border check
14:31
15:25
54m
MohanUTC+8 Border check
16:37
17:29
52m
XishuangbannaUTC+8
18:28
18:34
6m
Pu'erUTC+8
19:15
19:19
4m
Kunming SouthUTC+8
21:44
21:48
4m
KunmingUTC+8
22:08
22:08
--
|
||||||
Tickets open only 14 days ahead
Laos-China Railway releases seats at 06:30 Laos time (UTC+7), 14 days before departure, and popular departures can sell out on the first morning. Date not open yet? We'll tell you the moment it opens.
The Luang Prabang to Kunming train, up close.
International passenger trains between Laos and China have run since 13 April 2023, and a second daily through train was extended to run all the way between Kunming and Vientiane in July 2025. Riding it to Kunming is a full day across two countries in one seat.
How long does the Luang Prabang to Kunming train take?
The fastest train covers the 756 km in 7h29m and the slowest takes 7h44m. There are 2 trains every day: the first leaves Luang Prabang at 09:50 and the last at 13:15. China is one hour ahead of Laos, and every time shown for a Chinese station is China time (UTC+8). That is why the D84 seems to take 8h29m from 13:15 to 21:44 when the real journey is 7h29m.
Crossing the border at Boten and Mohan
All passengers get off with their luggage twice: at Boten for Lao exit formalities and again at Mohan for Chinese entry. On this route the timetable allows about 54 minutes at Boten and 52 minutes at Mohan. Don't plan a tight connection at the arrival end.
China visa rules
There is no visa on arrival for China at Mohan. You need a Chinese visa, or you must qualify for a visa-free scheme: China's unilateral visa-free list, or the 240-hour visa-free transit, which accepts Mohan railway port as an entry point for eligible nationalities with an onward ticket out of China. Check the official rules for your passport before you book.
Which class to book.
Second Class is what most travelers book. Seats are assigned when you buy, and there is no seat map to choose from.
First Class
Seats in a 2+2 layout, more legroom and a quieter carriage.
Second Class
Seats in a 2+3 layout with A/C, the standard choice.
What it's like on the train.
Trains on the Laos-China Railway are modern, clean and air-conditioned, and the rules at the station are stricter than most travelers expect.
Power and comfort
All trains on this route are air-conditioned. The D trains have power sockets at the seats. The line runs through many tunnels, so mobile signal drops often: download films, music and maps before you board.
Food and drink
The D trains have a dining car, and a trolley passes with snacks and drinks. Stations have a small cafe and a few kiosks, but choice is limited, so stock up in town.
Luggage and security
Each passenger can bring 20kg of luggage. There is no checked baggage: keep your bags with you on the overhead racks or in the space at the end of each car. Security is airport-style, so leave knives, scissors, aerosols, flammable liquids, vapes and lighters behind, and keep your bags easy to open for inspection.
LCR tickets, without the LCR headaches.
The official LCR app needs a Lao phone number to register, which rules out most foreign travelers. We book for you, and if your date is not on sale yet, we email you the moment seats are released.
No Lao phone number
We book on your behalf, you just pay.
International cards accepted
Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
E-ticket by email
Your e-ticket is sent by email.
Real human on WhatsApp
Changes and questions handled personally by Maxence, not a chatbot.
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Ready when you are.
Live availability and secure payment. It takes about two minutes.
See live prices ↑The practical details.
Onboard
A/C on every train on this route, plus a dining car, trolley snacks and power sockets at the seats on the D trains.
ID & tickets
Your passport is required to buy a ticket and to enter the station. The name on the ticket must match your passport exactly.
Changes & refunds
LCR tickets are non-changeable and non-refundable once issued.
Luggage & fares
Each passenger can bring 20kg of baggage. No child fares: children pay the adult price.
How far ahead can you book?
You can book this route up to 14 days before departure. Here is how the Laos-China Railway sales window works, and how to get a seat the moment it opens.
When tickets go on sale
Laos-China Railway sells tickets on trains within Laos up to 6 days before departure, and on routes that cross into China up to 14 days before. Seats are released at 06:30 Laos time (UTC+7). If your date is further out, trains show as "Not open yet": this is normal. Morning departures, weekends and Lao holidays sell out first, so book on the day your date opens.
How the waitlist alert works
Your stations.
Luang Prabang Railway Station
Luang Prabang Railway Station, Luang Prabang, Laos
The station is across the Mekong: allow at least 20 minutes from the old town. Arrive at least 60 minutes before departure: all LCR stations have airport-style security and the platform opens only a few minutes before the train. Entry to the departure hall requires your ticket and passport. After security, queue on the platform at your coach number.
Kunming South Railway Station
Kunming South Railway Station, Chenggong District, Kunming, Yunnan, China 650501
Trains stop at Kunming South (Kunmingnan) in Chenggong district, about 30 km south of central Kunming. Plan a metro or taxi ride into the city.
Quick answers.
How many trains run from Luang Prabang to Kunming each day?
There are 2 trains a day from Luang Prabang to Kunming: the D88 at 09:50, the D84 at 13:15.
How long does the Luang Prabang to Kunming train take?
The fastest train, the D84, takes 7h29m. The slowest takes 7h44m. Arrival times in China are shown in China time, one hour ahead of Laos.
How much is a Luang Prabang to Kunming train ticket?
Tickets start from US$ 66.70, on the D88. Every passenger pays the same fare, whatever their age.
How far in advance can I book the Luang Prabang to Kunming train?
Up to 14 days before departure. Laos-China Railway releases seats at 06:30 Laos time (UTC+7), and popular departures can sell out on the first morning.
Which station do Luang Prabang to Kunming trains depart from?
Trains depart from Luang Prabang Railway Station (Luang Prabang Railway Station, Luang Prabang, Laos). Arrive at least 60 minutes early for the security check.
Where do Luang Prabang to Kunming trains arrive?
Trains arrive at Kunming South Railway Station (Kunming South Railway Station, Chenggong District, Kunming, Yunnan, China 650501). It is about 30 km south of central Kunming: plan a metro or taxi ride into the city.
Do I need a visa to take the train from Luang Prabang to Kunming?
Yes, unless your passport qualifies for a visa-free scheme. There is no visa on arrival for China at Mohan: you need a Chinese visa, a place on China's visa-free list, or the 240-hour visa-free transit (Mohan railway port is an accepted entry point for eligible nationalities with an onward ticket). Check the official rules for your passport before booking.
How does the border crossing work on the Luang Prabang to Kunming train?
Everyone gets off with their luggage at Boten for Lao exit formalities and again at Mohan for Chinese entry, then reboards the same train. The timetable allows about 54 minutes at Boten and 52 minutes at Mohan.
Can I change or refund my LCR ticket?
No. LCR tickets are non-changeable and non-refundable once issued, so check your date, train and passport details before you pay.
Is there a child fare?
No. Every passenger pays the full fare, whatever their age.
Do I need a Lao phone number to book?
No. The official LCR app requires a Lao phone number, but we book on your behalf: you only need an email address and an international card.
Book your Luang Prabang to Kunming train
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Related routes
Luang Prabang to Vientiane train
There are 5 trains a day, the fastest takes 1h46m, fares from US$ 19.80.
Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng train
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Luang Prabang to Muang Xai train
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Vientiane to Vang Vieng train
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Vientiane to Luang Prabang train
There are 5 trains a day, the fastest takes 1h46m, fares from US$ 19.80.
Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang train
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All Laos-China Railway routes
Every route on the line, with trains per day, journey times and fares.