Laos Trains

Luang Prabang to Muang Xai train tickets

There are 3 trains a day from Luang Prabang to Muang Xai on the Laos-China Railway. The fastest takes 51m and tickets start from US$ 11.63.

★★★★★ Rated Excellent on Trustpilot Official LCR ticket Secure payment
3 trains daily
51m fastest
from US$ 11.63 per seat
No Lao phone number needed
6 days booking window

Book Luang Prabang - Muang Xai train tickets online

YesMyTrips books Laos-China Railway (LCR) tickets for Luang Prabang - Muang Xai. Prices shown in the search results are final and include all fees: nothing is added at checkout. Your ticket is sent as a PDF by email once our team confirms the booking.

Why travelers book with YesMyTrips

  • Final prices from the first screen, all fees included. QR code payment costs even less.
  • Real-time prices and availability from the operator.
  • Real people answer by email, WhatsApp or Telegram.
  • We handle changes and cancellations with the operator for you, when the operator allows them.
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Founded by Maxence Decamp, train booking specialist in Southeast Asia since 2019. YES MY TRIPS Co., Ltd. (Vietnam), member of EuroCham Vietnam and CCI France Vietnam.

2026 schedule

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 → 10:41 51m
First Class Second Class
M T W T F S S
US$ 15.01 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 --
K12 11:15 → 12:23 1h08m
Hard Seat
M T W T F S S
US$ 11.63 Book →
Stop stations
Station Name Arrival Departure Stop
Vientiane 08:25 08:25 --
Phonhong 09:04 09:08 4m
Vang Vieng 09:44 09:49 5m
Kasi 10:16 10:24 8m
Luang Prabang 11:09 11:15 6m
Muang Nga 11:52 11:55 3m
Muang Xai 12:23 12:28 5m
Na Mor 12:54 12:57 3m
Nateuy 13:10 13:13 3m
Boten 13:24 13:24 --
C96 16:52 → 17:50 58m
Business Class First Class Second Class
M T W T F S S
US$ 13.88 Book →
Stop stations
Station Name Arrival Departure Stop
Vientiane 14:05 14:05 --
Vang Vieng 15:08 15:15 7m
Luang Prabang 16:48 16:52 4m
Muang Xai 17:50 17:53 3m
Nateuy 18:20 18:25 5m
Boten 18:35 18:35 --
Verified LCR schedules. Times and fares from Laos-China Railway. Last verified: 13/11/2026

Route facts

First and last train
09:50 · 16:52
Fastest train
D88 · 51m
Overnight sleeper
No, daytime trains only
Cheapest class
Hard Seatfrom US$ 11.63
The journey

The Luang Prabang to Muang Xai train, up close.

North of Luang Prabang, the Laos-China Railway runs through mountains and long tunnels to small stations that had no rail link before December 2021. Trains here are few, so it pays to know the timetable before you plan the day.

How long does the Luang Prabang to Muang Xai train take?

The fastest train covers the 100 km in 51m and the slowest takes 1h08m. There are 3 trains every day: the first leaves Luang Prabang at 09:50 and the last at 16:52.

The slow train that stops everywhere

Small stations such as Muang Xai are served mainly by conventional K trains, with fixed Hard Seats and a stop at every station; on this route that is the K12. They are the only way to reach several of these towns by rail. The faster D88 and C96 also stop here, so compare them before you book.

Getting to and from the station

Every station on the line sits several kilometers outside town. Budget a tuk-tuk or minivan transfer at both ends, and arrange it in advance at the smaller stations, where few drivers wait for the train.

Choose your comfort

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.

Business class seats on the Laos-China Railway Lane Xang EMU

Business Class

Wide leather seats, extra legroom, fewest passengers.

Best for: comfort on the Vientiane - Luang Prabang run
First class seats on the Laos-China Railway Lane Xang EMU

First Class

Seats in a 2+2 layout, more legroom and a quieter carriage.

Best for: long cross-border days
Most popular Second class seats on the Laos-China Railway Lane Xang EMU

Second Class

Seats in a 2+3 layout with A/C, the standard choice.

Best for: most trips on the line
Hard seats on the Laos-China Railway K train

Hard Seat

Fixed upright seats on the slow train that stops at every station.

Best for: reaching small stations the EMUs skip

Price per class

Class From Up to
Business Class C96 US$ 28.52 US$ 28.52
First Class D88, C96 US$ 18.39 US$ 20.64
Second Class D88, C96 US$ 13.88 US$ 15.01
Hard Seat K12 US$ 11.63 US$ 11.63

Per person, one way, from the current LCR timetable, all fees included. The price varies by train, so pick yours when you book.

Onboard

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 and C trains have power sockets at the seats. Don't count on a socket at your seat on the K train: bring a charged power bank. The line runs through many tunnels, so mobile signal drops often: download films, music and maps before you board.

Food and drink

The D and C trains have a dining car, and a trolley passes with snacks and drinks. The K train has no dining car, so bring your own food and water. Stations have a small cafe and a few kiosks, but choice is limited, so stock up in town.

Luggage and security

There is no luggage check-in: you keep your bags with you. Each passenger can bring up to 20kg of luggage. Security is airport-style, so leave knives, scissors, aerosols, flammable liquids, vapes and lighters behind, and keep your bags easy to open for inspection.

Why book here

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.

Easy payment

Pay with Visa, Mastercard or American Express, or by QR code, our cheapest option.

E-ticket by email

Your e-ticket is sent by email.

Real human on WhatsApp

Questions and issues handled personally by our team, not a chatbot.

A real Laos-China Railway e-ticket with its QR code, sent by email
A real LCR e-ticket. Scan the QR code to enter the station, or swap it for a paper ticket at the ticket window.
Verified travelers

Booked with us. Glad they did.

From Trustpilot · trustpilot.com/review/yesmytrips.com

★★★★★

"The train booking was easy. The support was incredibly reactive and helpful. I will definitely book again with them."

Jordan · GB · 03-02-2026 Verified
★★★★★

"Excellent customer service, easy to use website. I highly recommend it, a nice change from the others..."

Séverine J. · FR · 03-06-2026 Verified Translated from French

Ready when you are.

Live availability and secure payment. It takes about two minutes.

See live prices ↑
Good to know

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 and C trains. On the K train, bring your own food and a power bank.

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.

Booking window

How far ahead can you book?

You can book this route up to 6 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

1
Search your route
Enter your route and date on YesMyTrips. Future trains will display with an orange "Not open yet" button.
NOT OPEN →
2
Choose train & class
Click on the train to see available travel classes. Each class has its own "Waitlist" button.
WAITING LIST →
3
Enter your email
A window pops up. Enter your email address to subscribe to that train and class. Your alert is created instantly.
ALERT CREATED →
4
Get notified
Seats are released every morning at 06:30 Laos time; we email you as soon as your date opens.
EMAIL SENT
Where to go

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.

Muang Xai Railway Station

MXJ9+FM, Muang Xai, Laos

Like every station on the line, it sits several kilometers outside town: plan a tuk-tuk or minivan transfer.

Keep exploring

More trains around this route.

The way back, the stops in between, and where else the line can take you. Live prices and seats on every route.

Crossing the border by train

Laos · Thailand · China
Before you book

Quick answers.

How many trains run from Luang Prabang to Muang Xai each day?

There are 3 trains a day from Luang Prabang to Muang Xai: the D88 at 09:50, the K12 at 11:15, the C96 at 16:52.

How long does the Luang Prabang to Muang Xai train take?

The fastest train, the D88, takes 51m. The slowest takes 1h08m.

How much is a Luang Prabang to Muang Xai train ticket?

Tickets start from US$ 11.63, on the K12. Every passenger pays the same fare, whatever their age.

How far in advance can I book the Luang Prabang to Muang Xai train?

Up to 6 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 Muang Xai 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 Muang Xai trains arrive?

Trains arrive at Muang Xai Railway Station (MXJ9+FM, Muang Xai, Laos).

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 Muang Xai train

Live availability, secure payment, no Lao phone number needed. About two minutes.

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About the author

Maxence Decamp, founder of YesMyTrips, on a boat in Southeast Asia.

Maxence Decamp

French, based in Southeast Asia since 2017

I'm Maxence, founder of YesMyTrips. Before launching it in 2025, I spent six years running train booking operations across Southeast Asia, working directly with the national railways. In those years I saw too many travellers go to the wrong station, miss their train, or pay two or three times the real fare because of contradictory information online.

YesMyTrips is built to fix that: tickets issued on the official Laos-China Railway system, live fares and seats, final prices with nothing added at checkout, and a real person to help if anything goes wrong.

Every schedule and fare on this page comes from Laos-China Railway and is checked by our team. The travel tips come from my own trips on the network.