International Trains

China - Laos Trains: D887/ D888

Currently, there is one pair of trains, D887/888 running between Kunming, the capital city of southwestern China's Yunnan Province and Laos' capital city, Vientiane on a daily basis. The duration is 10.5 hours for both, counting in the time used for custom procedures at the border. Ticket price is around CNY864 for a first class seat and CNY542 for a second class seat.

The China - Laos railway project is actually a section of the Kunming-Singapore Railway Project, which is planned to connect Kunming with Singapore, passing through Laos, Thailand, and Malaysia. 
 

Kunming - Vientiane Train

 Open Time: April 13, 2023
 Speed: 160 km/h (99mph)
 Running Length: 1,022 km (635 mi)
 Duration: about 10.5 hours, including the time for custom formalities
 Stations: Kunming South, Puer, Xishuangbanna, Mohan, Boten, Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Vientiane
 

China to Laos Train Schedule

(Last Update on April 13, 2024)
Train No. Departure - Arrival Duration
D887 08:08 - 17:38 10H30M
 

Laos to China Train Timetable

(Last Update on April 13, 2024)
Train No. Departure - Arrival Duration
D888 09:08 - 18:38 10H30M
 

China - Laos Train Ticket Fare

First Class Seat Second Class Seat
CNY864 CNY542
 

How to Buy China - Laos Train Ticket: 2 Ways

1. From the designated ticket windows at the railway stations including Kunming, Kunming South, Puer, Xishuangbanna in China and Boten, Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Vientiane in Laos.
2. Through China's website 12306.cn and its App, or Laos LCR Ticket App.

 Kind Reminders: 
1. Please note China's railway stations, website and App only sell tickets for train D887 and Laos' railway stations and App only issue tickets for train D888. 
2. Passengers' ID certificates, like passports are needed when purchasing the ticket. 
3. Even if you’ve bought an e-ticket on the website or via apps, the paper ticket should be collected, by showing the ID certificate used for booking. Because it will be checked at the departure station, arrival station and the borders when completing the custom procedures. 
 

Laos - China Railway Sections

 Kunming-Mohan: This section is made up of the Kunming-Yuxi Rail Line and the Yuxi-Mohan Rail Line. The former section is 88 km (55 miles) long with a trip duration of 1.5 hours. The running speed is 124 mph (200 km/h). The latter section is 507 km (315 miles) with the the allowed top speed of 160 km/h (99 mph).

 Mohan (Boten)- Vientiane: The designed speed is 160 km/h and the length is 427 km (265 miles). Around 162 bridges and 72 tunnels have been built along the way, accounting for about 60% of the overall length, making it a really difficult project. Among the bridges, two super ones run over Mekong River, measuring 1,220m (1334 yards) and 1,436 m (1570 yards) respectively.
 

Other Ways to Travel between the Two Countries 

In addition to train, there are two other ways to travel between the two countries: by air or by coach.
The fastest way to travel between the two countries is by air. There are direct flights between Vientiane and Kunming and Guangzhou; air travel takes 1.5 hour and 2.5 hours respectively; and the ticket price for economy class is around CNY 1,300 and CNY 1,600 respectively.

Taking international coaches to travel between the two countries is popular among many budget travelers. You can take a coach at Kunming South Bus Station to Vientiane or Luang Prabang. The Kunming-Vientiane coach departs at 18:00 and takes 22 hours to cover a distance of 883 miles (1,421 km); ticket price is around CNY 600. The Kunming-Luang Prabang coach leaves at 18:30 and takes 17 hours for 684 miles (1,100 km); ticket fare is about CNY 400. The ticket price here is for reference only. The actual ticket price is subject to the ticket office.

 Tips for taking coaches:
No toilets are available on coaches, so you'd better not drink too much water! The coach will stop along the way for passengers to rest, have meals and use the washrooms.
Only sleepers are provided onboard and only a few sleepers are single ones; the others are double ones. So it's very possible you will share a double sleeper with a stranger. Be prepared!
The above coach duration excludes time for customs formalities which may take some time.

Other International Trains between China and nearby Countries

K23/K24:
Beijing - Ulaanbaatar

K27/K28:
Beijing - Pyongyang

T8701/T8702:
Nanning - Hanoi

4652/4653:
Hohhot - Ulaanbaatar

Z5/Z6:
Beijing - Hanoi

K7023/K7024:
Harbin - Vladivostok

K9795/K9796: Urumqi - Almaty
K9797/K9798: Urumqi - Astana

K19/K20
Beijing - Manzhouli - Moscow

K3/K4
Beijing - Ulaanbaatar - Moscow

Erlian - Ulaanbaatar

 International railways under construction/planning from China to:
- Last updated on Jul. 23, 2024 by Brenda Lian -
Questions & Answers on China - Laos Trains: D887/ D888
Asked by Ni Hoa from USA | May. 25, 2024 01:44Reply
Kunming China - Vientien Lal
Hi please advise ,if take high speed train to Laos will stop at border for Laos visa .
How it works if book direct CHT ,and timing
Regard
Ni Hoa
Answers (1)
Answered by Lori | May. 26, 2024 23:52
00Reply


You will get off the train at Mohan Railway Station at 12:31, take a bus to Mohan Port and go through the border inspection of China there, then walk to Boten border to go through the immigration of Laos. After, get on the train running to Vientiane at 13:35.
Asked by Charlotte from FRANCE | May. 22, 2024 00:37Reply
CRE office in Vientiane ?
Hello, is there a China Railway Express office to send parcels/big luggage via rail in Vientiane ?

Thank you !
Answers (1)
Answered by Daniel | May. 23, 2024 01:34
00Reply


You'd better go to the Vientiane railway station to see if there is one. Usually in China, there is always a China Railway Express office at these railway stations.
Asked by Loong from MALAYSIA | May. 12, 2024 23:20Reply
Purchase of Train Tickets from Xishuangbanna to Luang Prabang
when, how and where to buy train tickets in June 2024 from Xishuangbanna to Luang Prabang on D85 & D87??
Answers (1)
Answered by Rita | May. 13, 2024 19:20
00Reply


You can buy on 12306.com or buy with TravelChinaGuide hassle-free. It is advised to buy 15 days before the departure.
Asked by Loong from MALAYSIA | Apr. 30, 2024 21:17Reply
Train from Xishuangbanna to Luang Prabang in Laos
1) Are there any direct train services from Xishuangbanna to Luang Prabang in Laos? If so, what is the schedule?
2) If there is none, how can one travel from Xishuangbanna to Luang Prabang?
thank you
Answers (1)
Answered by Joshua | May. 06, 2024 01:28
00Reply


Yes, D87 and D85 run to Luang Prabang. D87 departs from Xishuangbanna at 11:30 and D85 08:10. The duration is 4h15min or 5h.
Asked by Thomas from GERMANY | Apr. 21, 2024 08:59Reply
Arrival local time in Kunming
Can someone tell me the arrival time in Kunming South for train D888 from Laos?
Is it 17.34, 18.34 or 19.34 Kunming time?
Thank you
Answers (1)
Answered by Keith | Apr. 22, 2024 20:36
00Reply


It's 19:38.
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