Laos-China Railway
Intercity And International Rail · Laos-China Railway Co., Ltd.
2 lines · 14 stations · 5 interchanges
Every line drawn through its stations. Tap a line in the legend to hide or show it.
Lines
Service information checked . Check the operator before travel because schedules can change at short notice.
Quick facts
- Domestic corridor
- Passenger trains run between Vientiane and Boten, with different stopping patterns by train number.
- International service
- Four international trains currently run each day between Vientiane and Kunming.
- Tickets
- Use the official LCR Ticket app or a staffed ticket office. Passenger identity details must match the travel document.
Mike’s notes
The Laos-China Railway crosses northern Laos from Vientiane to Boten, then continues through Yunnan to Kunming. It opened in December 2021. International passenger trains began in April 2023, replacing an all-day road journey with a rail trip through Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, and Muang Xay.
Vientiane station is in Xaythany District, well outside the central riverfront. Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng stations are also outside their town centers. Ground transportation at both ends remains part of the trip.
Tickets and trains
The LCR Ticket app and staffed offices sell domestic tickets. Online sales support several card and mobile payment methods, but real-name ticketing means the passenger details must match the passport or identification used at the station. International tickets also require valid border documents. Arrive early enough for exit and entry procedures at Boten and Mohan.
The railway uses 160 km/h electric multiple units for faster services and a slower locomotive-hauled train on some domestic schedules. Train numbers do not stop at every station shown on the domestic corridor. The operator does not publish a detailed station-by-station accessibility guide, so contact it before travel when wheelchair boarding or step-free transfers are required.
Sources: Lao News Agency railway overview, China-Laos international service, and ticket and payment information.