Travelers and travel agents alike are finding the Laos-China railway experience less than seamless due to complicated ticketing procedures. While the railway connects key cities such as Vientiane, Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, and Boten, planning a trip can be frustrating.
Currently, the railway lacks a dedicated website, and tickets can only be purchased through a mobile app. Creating an account requires a Laotian phone number, which adds an extra hurdle for international travelers. Ticket sales open just three days before departure and tend to sell out quickly, especially on popular routes like Luang Prabang to Vientiane, notably on weekends, according to Andrea Vinsonneau, General Manager of Exo Travel in Luang Prabang.
Since promoting the train service, Exo Travel has seen a 45% increase in overnight stays in Laos, benefiting their entire supply chain. Vinsonneau commented that the train has significantly changed how their clients explore northern Laos, describing it as the “spine” of the region—offering a more affordable, sustainable, and faster way to travel.
However, she pointed out that the booking process remains inconvenient. “It’s very tedious and not user-friendly. Because tickets can only be secured three days in advance, there’s no guarantee that clients will get the train they want,” she explained. Fortunately, she said they’ve mostly managed to adjust departure times to keep clients on schedule within the same day of travel.
The train operates from Kunming in China’s Yunnan province to Vientiane, with three service classes: Second, First, and Business. Seats are allocated randomly by Laos-China Railway (LCR) and cannot be reserved ahead of time. Payment options include UnionPay, WeChat, Alipay, Visa, and BCEL One, with travelers receiving a QR code upon payment confirmation to board the train. It’s important to note that ticket offices do not accept cash or credit cards.
Overall, while the Laos-China railway offers a valuable link for travelers, the current ticketing system poses hurdles that could improve with more user-friendly online options and earlier sales availability.
