Vientiane to Kunming train tickets
There are 2 trains a day from Vientiane to Kunming on the Laos-China Railway. The fastest takes 9h19m and tickets start from US$ 102.47. Crosses the Laos - China border at Boten / Mohan.
Book Vientiane - Kunming train tickets online
YesMyTrips books Laos-China Railway (LCR) tickets for Vientiane - Kunming. 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.
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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 | 08:00 → 18:34UTC+8 | 9h34m |
First Class
Second Class
|
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
|
US$ 102.47 | 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 | 11:25 → 21:44UTC+8 | 9h19m |
First Class
Second Class
|
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
|
US$ 102.47 | 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
--
|
||||||
Route facts
- First and last train
- 08:00 · 11:25
- Fastest train
- D84 · 9h19m
- Overnight sleeper
- No, daytime trains only
- Cheapest class
- Second class seatfrom US$ 102.47
The Vientiane 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 Vientiane to Kunming train take?
The fastest train covers the 995 km in 9h19m and the slowest takes 9h34m. There are 2 trains every day: the first leaves Vientiane at 08:00 and the last at 11:25. 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 10h19m from 11:25 to 21:44 when the real journey is 9h19m.
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.
Price per class
| Class | From | Up to |
|---|---|---|
| First Class D88, D84 | US$ 157.82 | US$ 157.82 |
| Second Class D88, D84 | US$ 102.47 | US$ 102.47 |
Per person, one way, from the current LCR timetable, all fees included. The price varies by train, so pick yours when you book.
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
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.
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.
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Pay with Visa, Mastercard or American Express, or by QR code, our cheapest option.
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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.
Vientiane Railway Station
Vientiane Railway Station, Xaythany District, Vientiane, Laos
The station is in Xaythany district, north of the city: allow about 45 minutes from the center. 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.
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.
Stops along the way
Other trains from Vientiane
Crossing the border by train
Laos · ThailandQuick answers.
How many trains run from Vientiane to Kunming each day?
There are 2 trains a day from Vientiane to Kunming: the D88 at 08:00, the D84 at 11:25.
How long does the Vientiane to Kunming train take?
The fastest train, the D84, takes 9h19m. The slowest takes 9h34m. Arrival times in China are shown in China time, one hour ahead of Laos.
How much is a Vientiane to Kunming train ticket?
Tickets start from US$ 102.47, on the D88. Every passenger pays the same fare, whatever their age.
How far in advance can I book the Vientiane 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 Vientiane to Kunming trains depart from?
Trains depart from Vientiane Railway Station (Vientiane Railway Station, Xaythany District, Vientiane, Laos). Arrive at least 60 minutes early for the security check.
Where do Vientiane 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 Vientiane 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 Vientiane 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.
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Vientiane to Vang Vieng train
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Vientiane to Luang Prabang train
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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.