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Kratie, on the Mekong in eastern Cambodia, is known for its Irrawaddy dolphins and for Koh Trong island. Vientiane, the capital of Laos, lies far to the north. There is no direct vehicle: booking platforms list combined tickets that change vehicles at the border, and the trip takes a full day or more.[1]
The land crossing for this trip is Trapeang Kriel on the Cambodian side and Nongnokkheane on the Lao side, which is in Champasak province, opposite Stung Treng province.[2] Cambodia's official e-visa site lists Tropaeng Kreal (Stung Treng) among the land checkpoints that accept e-Visa entry to Cambodia.[3]
Kratie to Vientiane by Van
Booking platforms list two combined van tickets for the trip, both at about $51 (October 2026): a minivan followed by a second minivan, leaving at 12:00, and a minivan followed by a sleeper bus, leaving at 10:45. Journey times are listed at 16 to 17.5 hours.[1] You clear Cambodian exit formalities at the border, cross to the Lao side and continue in a different vehicle.
Kratie to Vientiane by Bus
A combined sleeping bus and minivan ticket is listed at about $51, leaving shortly after midnight at 00:15. Its listed journey time is a full day and 6 hours, about 30 hours in total.[1]
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Price (USD) | Duration | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minivan and minivan | About $51[1] | 16h to 17h 30m | 12:00 |
| Minivan and sleeper bus | About $51[1] | 16h to 17h | 10:45 |
| Sleeping bus and minivan | About $51[1] | About 30h | 00:15 |
Tips for Traveling from Kratie to Vientiane
- Laos entry: The Lao immigration department lists the Nongnokkheane checkpoint with visa on arrival and e-visa, open from 06:00 to 18:00.[2] Laos also runs an official online e-visa service.[4] Check the current fee and your nationality's rules before you travel.
- Plan the timing: Because the border closes at 18:00, a late arrival can delay the crossing, so the departures that reach the border during the day matter.[2]
- Booking in advance: Few departures are listed each day on this international route, so book a few days ahead.
Timetable
| Bus Kratie - Vientiane $ 50.96 1days 6h | |
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| Van Kratie - Vientiane $ 50.96–51.14 16h – 17h 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 Vientiane, including current prices and schedules.
All three combined tickets listed on booking platforms in October 2026 cost about $51, so the price is practically the same for every option.
The two combined van tickets are the quickest, listed at 16 to 17.5 hours. The sleeping bus and minivan combination takes about 30 hours.
Plan for 16 to 17.5 hours on the van combinations and about 30 hours on the sleeping bus and minivan ticket, including border formalities and vehicle changes.
Many nationalities need a visa for Laos. The Lao immigration department lists the Nongnokkheane checkpoint with visa on arrival and e-visa, and Laos has an official online e-visa service. Check the current rules for your nationality.
The Lao immigration department lists the Nongnokkheane checkpoint as open from 06:00 to 18:00.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] 12Go: Kratie - Vientiane timetable. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [2] Department of Immigration of Lao PDR: Nongnokkheane International Border Checkpoint. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [3] Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia: eVisa Kingdom of Cambodia (official government website). Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [4] Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lao PDR: Lao Official Online Visa. 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.