Luang Prabang to Kunming?

I%26#39;m trying to put together a 1 week (I know, short!) trip, starting from Vientiane to Luang Prabang, and then making my way from Luang Prabang to Kunming (and I will fly home from Kunming). If possible, I%26#39;d like to travel by bus or train from Luang Prabang to Kunming. Has anyone done this, and could share some advice? How long does the trip take from Luang Prabang to Kunming? Thanks!

Luang Prabang to Kunming?

Theres a separate bus depot in Luang Prabang near the bowling alley where you can get a nightly aircon bus up to kunming. There are no trains from LP to Kunming (no trains in Laos as yet).

Since the bus is overnight and you won%26#39;t see anything you might as well fly if you only have 7 days?

Luang Prabang to Kunming?

Thanks, that%26#39;s a good point, maybe I should fly if the bus ride is at night. BTW do you know how much flights tend to be,1-way to Kunming? I%26#39;m not having much luck with the Laos Airline website.

There%26#39;s a longhaul bus that starts in Vientiane but continues on from Luang Prabang, and I think points in between, that goes all the way to Kunming. But that would be an exhausting trip, close to 24 hours. Last year Lao Airlines did offer a once a week flight from Luang Pabang to Kunming but it was discontinued due to lack of demand. Hopefully it%26#39;ll be offered again at some point. Lao Airlines still offers the VTE to Kunming flight, though.

Since you%26#39;ve only got a week to get from Vientiane to Kunming, I%26#39;d give VTE a day for touring before either flying up to Luang prabang or taking the VIP bus. Then give yourself 3-4 days for LP before taking the bus. BUT, I would recommend taking at least a night%26#39;s break at Jinghong before taking the following day%26#39;s bus up to Kunming.

BTW, you will need to have a Chinese visa in advance of the border unless of course you%26#39;re a Chinese citizen.

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