price of buses between Luang Prabang, Vang Vien

We are travelling to Laos in February 09 and would like to go overland to Vientiane, stopping on the way at Vang Vien.

I am trying to work out our budget and would be grateful for some pointers. Is there a decent bus ?, do we hire a car ?....and how much ?

We are retired folk and have done our share of travelling rough but not now so if anyone has a view re what the road and bus conditions are like we%26#39;d be grateful.

Cheers

price of buses between Luang Prabang, Vang Vien

Bus service in Laos is efficient and cheap (when the roads aren%26#39;t washed out during rainy season!). From Vang Vieng it%26#39;s 25,000 kip one way per person to Vientiane. (That%26#39;s about $2.50). Road conditions are usually fine after October, save for the occasional pothole, which drivers know how to avoid. December-March are the driest seasons. Hiring a car can be pricey. The bus is a great and inexpensive way to travel!

price of buses between Luang Prabang, Vang Vien

if you fancy something with a bit more comfort regular minibuses depart several times a day costing around USD6 for the Vientiane to Vang Vieng trip and USD10 for Vang vieng to Luang Prabang.

Car hire (with or without driver) is more expensive and you would be looking at around USD70-100 per day for this.

Good luck,

Lee

Thanks everyone for your information-very useful.

The mini-buses I%26#39;ve seen here look jam packed. We just booked the VIP Bus (big bus with on board toilet) for KIP 145,000 per person to Vang Vieng from Luang Prabang - it takes 5 hours and stops twice for 5 mins each time on the way.