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From riverside Kratie, home of the Irrawaddy dolphins, you travel to the 4,000 Islands (Si Phan Don) in southern Laos, where Don Det is a car-free island of hammocks and river views. The journey crosses the border from Cambodia into Laos and ends on the water.
The crossing is at Trapeang Kriel on the Cambodian side. Cambodia's e-visa is accepted here for entry and exit.[1] Stung Treng, the last Cambodian town on the way, is about 142 km from Kratie on newly paved National Highway 7, which takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours,[2] and the Lao border is about 50 km beyond it.[3] You can book your tickets on GoAsia.cc.
Kratie to Don Det by Van
The minivan is the most common way. On booking platforms, tickets cost about $22 to $24 (October 2026), and the trip takes from about 4 hours to 7 hours depending on the operator and the border queue. Vans that go on to Nakasang, the ferry point for the islands, or to Don Khon cost about $36 to $37 (October 2026) and take about 5 to 6 hours.[4]
Van and Boat Combinations
Some services take you all the way to the water. A 12-seat van with a boat transfer to Champassak costs about $24 on booking platforms (October 2026) and takes about 7 hours 30 minutes.[4] Vireak Buntham Express also covers Don Det in its international travel package.[5]
Kratie to Don Det by Bus
There is also an overnight service that combines a sleeping bus with a minivan for the last leg. It costs about $22 on booking platforms (October 2026) and takes 10 hours 30 minutes to 15 hours 30 minutes, since the bus waits for the border to open.[4]
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Price (USD) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Minivan | About $22 - $24[4] | 4 - 7 hours |
| Van to Nakasang or Don Khon | About $36 - $37[4] | 5 - 6 hours |
| Van + Boat (Champassak) | About $24[4] | 7.5 hours |
| Sleeping Bus + Van | About $22[4] | 10.5 - 15.5 hours |
Tips for Traveling from Kratie to Don Det
- Prepare for the Border: Carry your passport and US dollars in clean notes for visa fees, and sort out any Lao visa before you travel.
- Currency Matters: In Laos the Lao kip is the main currency. Withdraw cash in Kratie or at the border before you reach the islands, and take Thai baht or US dollars as a backup.
- Luggage Protection: Roads are dusty. If your luggage rides on the roof, wrap it in a rain cover or a large plastic bag.
- Stay Hydrated: Vans can get warm. Carry plenty of water, since stops can be far apart.
- Booking Ahead: In high season vans fill up with backpackers. Book ahead so you do not wait for the next day's departure.
Timetable
| Bus Kratie - Champassak $ 24.67 4h | |
|
| Bus Kratie - Don Det $ 21.99 10h 30m โ 15h 30m | |
|
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| Van Kratie - Don Det $ 21.99โ24.09 4h โ 7h | |
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| Van Kratie - Nakasong $ 35.51 5h | |
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| Van Kratie - Don Khon $ 36.88 6h | |
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| Van Kracheh - Champassak $ 23.90 7h 30m | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Kratie to Don Det, including current prices and schedules.
The sleeping bus and minivan combination and the standard minivan both start at about $22 on booking platforms in October 2026.
A direct minivan, which can take as little as 4 hours depending on the operator and the border queue. Vans to Nakasang take about 5 hours.
A van takes between 4 and 7 hours. The overnight bus and minivan combination takes 10 hours 30 minutes to 15 hours 30 minutes.
That depends on your passport. Check the Lao entry rules for your nationality before you travel, and carry US dollars for the fee.
Some packages include the river crossing, such as the van and boat combination. With a standard van ticket you may have to pay a small extra fee for a long-tail boat to Don Det.
You will find ATMs in Kratie. Withdraw enough cash before you go, since options are fewer in the 4,000 Islands.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Berlin: Cambodia Border Entry Points (e-Visa status). Retrieved October 25, 2026.
- [2] Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia, TourismCambodia.com: Transportation - Stung Treng. Retrieved October 20, 2026.
- [3] Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia, TourismCambodia.com: Stung Treng Province Travel Guides. Retrieved October 20, 2026.
- [4] 12Go: 12Go timetable: Kratie - Don Det. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
- [5] Vireak Buntham Express: Vireak Buntham Express travel packages. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.