Vientiane to Kunming is the full end-to-end international journey on the China–Laos Railway — roughly 1,000 km from the Lao capital, across the Boten–Mohan border, all the way to Kunming in Yunnan province, China.
Journey time and distance
Covering around 1,000 km, this is a long journey — realistically 10+ hours including the border stop — passing through Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang and Boten in Laos, then Mohan, Xishuangbanna, Puer and Yuxi in China before reaching Kunming.
Fares
Fares start from around $106 for Second class (checked live on our own booking system in September 2026) — see the search box above for the current fare and seat classes for your travel date.
Border crossing what to expect
At Boten/Mohan, all passengers disembark with luggage for a stop of around an hour for exit checks from Laos and entry checks into China before re-boarding. Arrange your Chinese visa in advance — it is not issued at the border — and complete China’s Health Declaration form online within 24 hours of departure.
Why travellers take this route
This is the direct rail alternative to flying between Vientiane and Kunming, connecting Laos’s capital to Yunnan’s provincial capital and its onward high-speed rail network across China.
Booking tips
- Given the length of the trip, First or Business class is worth considering for extra comfort.
- Lao-side tickets open only a few days before departure, while the Chinese leg can typically be booked further ahead — plan a combined itinerary with that gap in mind.
- Many travellers break this journey with stopovers in Luang Prabang or Xishuangbanna rather than riding through in one sitting.