Vientiane to Mohan is a cross-border journey of roughly 415 km, from the Lao capital across the Boten–Mohan border to Mohan itself, the Chinese railway town right at the crossing.
Journey time and distance
Covering about 415 km, expect around 4.5-5 hours including the border stop, passing through Phonhong, Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang and Boten.
Fares
Fares start from around $58 for Second class (checked live on our own booking system in September 2026) — see the search box above for current fares and seat classes.
Border crossing what to expect
At Boten/Mohan, passengers disembark with luggage for immigration checks on both sides, typically around an hour, before re-boarding the same train. Arrange your Chinese visa in advance — it isn’t issued at the border — and complete the online Health Declaration within 24 hours of departure.
Why travellers take this route
Mohan itself is mainly a border-crossing town rather than a destination, so most travellers on this route are continuing onward into Yunnan toward Xishuangbanna, Puer or Kunming.
Booking tips
- Book the Lao-side ticket within its short presale window closer to departure.
- If Mohan isn’t your final stop, check whether booking straight through to your actual China destination works out better than breaking the journey there.