Soutchai Travel
- About
- Popular Routes
- Stations
- Reviews
- Schedule and Timetable
About Soutchai Travel
Bus is a convenient way of travel no matter whether you need to get to a neighboring town a couple of hours away or venture further afield crossing the whole country. Whatever your budget, buses have you covered. Express buses offer the most affordable ticket price for travellers who have very little money to spend. VIP options are geared toward those who do not want to compromise on comfort. Before you jump on a bus, make sure you choose the type of service which suits you best. For a long-haul trip look for a VIP or first-class coach which provides non-stop service to your destination or just call a minor number of stations along the way. Express or local buses in many cases may prove an acceptable choice for shorter trips, but longer rides are often not the best buy. Study the timetable before going as many long-haul destinations are served by night buses, and some offer wider seats or sleeper berths for such travels. Make an online reservation for your bus ticket with Soutchai Travel. Other travellers’ reviews will help you to choose the best ticket and coach class.
Soutchai Travel Popular Stations
The main stations covered by Soutchai Travel’s buses include:
- Vang Vieng Transfer
- Vientiane Soutchai Travel
- Vientiane Transfer
- Luang Prabang Hotel Transfer
- Vang Vieng Railway Station
- Vang Vieng
- Pakse Hotel Transfer
- Vang Vieng
- Vang Vieng Transfer
- Vang Vieng Transfer
- Vientiane Railway Station
- Vientiane Transfer
- Vientiane Transfer
- Luang Prabang Transfer
- Luang Prabang Railway Station
- Vang Vieng Soutchai Travel
Soutchai Travel Top Destinations
Soutchai Travel buses ply a number of routes and here is the list of some of the most popular ones:
- Vientiane - Vang Vieng
- Vientiane - Bangkok
- Vang Vieng - Vientiane
- Vientiane - Pakse
- Pakse - Siem Reap
- Vientiane - Nong Khai
- Vang Vieng - Khammouan
- Vientiane - Savannakhet
- Vang Vieng - Pakse
- Vientiane - Udon Thani
- Vientiane - Don Det
- Vientiane - Khammouan
- Vientiane - Ban Gnang
- Vang Vieng - Don Det
- Pakse - Phnom Penh
- Vang Vieng - Jinghong
- Vang Vieng - Savannakhet
- Vang Vieng - Ban Gnang
Soutchai Travel Ticket Prices & Bus Classes
One of the best things about bus travel is that you can almost tailor-make your trip adjusting it to your requirements for privacy and comfort. Different classes and types of buses cater to the different needs of travellers. The cheapest trips are normally offered by standard-class buses. They may be called local, express or ordinary. These are a good choice for shorter trips. Sleepers or VIP coaches are good both for longer and overnight trips. They may offer berths or wide soft reclining seats, sometimes with built-in massage options, blankets, soft drinks, and snacks, or more substantial meals on board or during toilet or refuelling stops. Travelling by night buses allows you to save on a hotel room, but to ensure the most comfortable ride do choose the class of your bus wisely. Prices always depend on the distance you ride and the type of coach. For some, even shorter trips, it is worth investing some extra money and buying a seat on a VIP bus as it can save you twice as much time as you spend travelling by an ordinary bus.
Travel by Bus: Pros & Cons
Pros of Bus Travel
- Bus is the best choice to get to destinations that are not connected by rail or planes. The network of buses often covers almost the whole country, and their routes are well and long-established.
- Opposite to air travel and sometimes rail travel, taking a bus does not require arriving at the bus station much in advance. Check-in, even on international routes, does not take much time. Luggage allowances are usually very traveller-friendly, and the fee for extra luggage, if limits are set, is normally not very high.
- Bus tickets can be more affordable compared to air or fast train tickets. There is always a choice of ticket classes for all pockets. Cheaper standard options may be a bit slow and do not offer top comfort, but anyway acceptable and bring you to your destination. On longer routes, toilets or toilet stops as well as snacks, water, and sometimes toiletries and blankets are almost always included in the price.
- If you are ready to spend more, some VIP coaches offer seating comparable to business class on a plane with wide soft reclining seats, blankets, fewer passengers, and many other perks to make your trip a pleasant journey.
Cons of Bus Travel
- Newer intercity bus terminals are very often located out of the city close to bigger highways to allow buses to avoid city congestion. Unfortunately, it may create extra challenges for travellers, too. Getting to such a terminal may be a problem as in some destinations there are restrictions on vehicles allowed to enter the terminal, and you will have to use special carriers to get there. This results in higher costs as prices may be inflated. Also do calculate extra time if you are travelling during rush hours, especially if you are not familiar with the traffic situation at your starting point.
- Buses are probably the means of transport which runs out of schedule more often than trains or planes. They are heavily dependent on the road situation which sometimes can be unpredictable – accidents, road construction works, detours, etc. This is especially true for travels during weekends, high season, or national holidays. Do keep this in mind and do not plan tight connections.
- Travelling on certain routes or during the most popular periods may require advanced booking. Bear in mind that it is not always possible to show up at the bus station and hop on the next bus – tickets may well be all sold out, so organize your trip accordingly.
NaN Passengers
Soutchai Travel Stations
Vang Vieng TransferVientiane Soutchai TravelVientiane TransferLuang Prabang Hotel TransferVang Vieng Railway StationVang ViengPakse Hotel TransferVang ViengVang Vieng TransferVang Vieng TransferVientiane Railway StationVientiane TransferVientiane TransferLuang Prabang TransferLuang Prabang Railway StationVang Vieng Soutchai Travel
Soutchai Travel Company Reviews
A
Anna We were picked up on time from our pick up point and taken to the bus station. We then got on the sleeper bus which stopped at Pakse station, the drivers were rude waved us away to the incorrect bus, whereby the driver of said bus also waved us away. Felt quite stranded for some time until a nice gentleman who didn’t even work for the station communicated on our behalf and we eventually got picked up. Just felt like a unnecessarily complicated journey that needed some more communication or instruction from the transport team.
Bus Sleeper, Soutchai Travel, Mar 11, 2024
R M
Robert MI think he'd forgotten about us. We were helped by the hotel staff to get the bus.
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Bus Regular International, Soutchai Travel, Mar 10, 2024
R M
Roisin MAfter transfer from vang vieng had to contact operator as it was unclear where we needed to be picked up for the next bus, beds small but expected
Bus Sleeper, Soutchai Travel, Feb 26, 2024
L B
Louisa BEasy ride, picked up from location and taken to a bus station for a overnight journey.
Bus Super AC Deluxe, Soutchai Travel, Jan 11, 2024
S W
Sonya WGood communication, Soutchai emailed to say when the taxi bus would arrive. They took us to the bus station where we boarded the bus - the overnight double bed is small. Hubby is over 6 ft and it was really made for a 5ft person. The people guided us through the whole journey, bus, minibus and ferry - there was always someone making sure we were on the right transport, so all good. Not sure we'd do the overnight bus again but it was all a good experience. Toilet on the bus was basic but clean. Everyone was very kind and friendly. There were no food stops so bring your snacks - there was food at the first bus station though.
Bus Sleeper, Soutchai Travel, Dec 29, 2023
G S
Georgia SOverall a comfortable ride. Blanket, snacks and drinks provided. I would suggest having your own pillow and eye mask for extra comfort.
Staff do not speak English.
Bus Super AC Deluxe, Soutchai Travel, Oct 29, 2023
W V
Wim VThe pickup did not show up. After waiting 2 hours I got a tuktuk paid by the company because I would miss the big bus. That’s quiet stressfull. The whole bus had to wait for me and I had the last free chair. Did not like this for sure.
Bus Local, Soutchai Travel, Oct 28, 2023
C Z
Carolina Zthe bus left late, lost my airpods on the bus - i knew i had dropped them under the seat but was basically dragged off the bus and not given the chance to look under seat for them- the driver literally started driving away. the operators were rude
Bus Regular International, Soutchai Travel, Jul 5, 2023
D V
Danielle VGreat flexibility. I originally had booked for 13:00, but was very early in Vientiane. They gave me the possibility to get on the 9:00 bus.
Van Regional 14pax, Soutchai Travel, Jun 5, 2023
P B
Pelle BBus left two hours later than was promised. We had to wait two hours at the busstation and employees told is multiple times the bus would leave shortly, but it didn’t.
Eventually two busses left. One fully packed with people (we we’re in this one) and one with just three people in it. The A/C in the bus didn’t work, so it was so warm.
Van Regional 14pax, Soutchai Travel, May 24, 2023
S V
Sanny VVery smooth trip! On time!
Van Regional 14pax, Soutchai Travel, May 17, 2023
K S
Katherine SEasy and efficient
Van Regional 14pax, Soutchai Travel, May 8, 2023
B O
Bernadette OTuk tuk arrived on time at our hotel to take us to the bus station. From there it was one bus to Udon Thani with stops at the border crossings.
Fast and efficient. Would recommend.
Bus Regular International, Soutchai Travel, Apr 20, 2023
F B
Fergus BA very pleasant and easy journey. Had to swap 30 minutes outside Savannakhet to a minivan which was safe and easy. The beds are for 6ft tall or less, but comfortable
Bus Sleeper, Soutchai Travel, Apr 3, 2023
D K
Dilip KWent with a bus with almost no air-conditioning (which was especially noticeable in 37C) and the departure was pushed back without advance warning from 1pm by an hour presumably so we could all get a nice tan under the midday sun. But that's Laos! Apart from the above everything went smoothly
Van Regional 14pax, Soutchai Travel, Apr 3, 2023
J S
Justine SOn time, really fast, nice driver:) 8.45am pick up from hotel, around 12am in vangvieng.
Van Regional 14pax, Soutchai Travel, Mar 25, 2023
J I
Joel II had a bad experiece using Soutchai Travel. I thought I was paying a premium to travel in a nice shuttle van (as pictured on their webpage), but instead it was just a tuk-tuk that took me to the Central Station, then a dirty, old bus.
But this bothered me less than the way time was managed. I was ready 30 minutes before the pick-up time as instructed. The tuk-tuk driver showed up about 40 minutes later. Fine, whatever. Then we drove across town to another hotel for another pick-up. The other passenger wasn't there. I sat there for another 25 minutes before the driver finally gave up and we went to the Central Station. He bought my ticket at the station, just as I could have; the station is only 10 minute walk from where I was staying. And I really wish I'd done just that. Leaving Vientiane later than expected - for no reason - made me stress about making my Udon Thani flight.
TL;DR - I paid a premium for Soutchai to waste my time and stress me out.
Bus Regular International, Soutchai Travel, Feb 27, 2023
L W
Lydia WThe places are to small- I had not enough place for my legs. We need 3,5 hours more for the journey. But the driver looked for a safe journey!
Bus Local, Soutchai Travel, Feb 23, 2023
F C
Fran CPicked up on time at the hotel, transferred to the bus pick up point and had a seamless trip to Vang Vieng.
Van Regional 14pax, Soutchai Travel, Feb 19, 2023
R C
Rhea CSuper impressed with this travel company ! My hostel was not on the list for pick up so ended up going to their office, despite not having booked it direct with them they still changed my pick up for me to my hostel. Super smooth. Good minivan made it to Vang Viengbin about 2 hours !
Van Regional 14pax, Soutchai Travel, Feb 17, 2023
B R
Bob RThe coach was two hours late and the communication was terrible.
Van Regional 14pax, Soutchai Travel, Feb 12, 2023
J H
Jacobus HDid not get the minibus I booked but an old big bus. Had to wait for 1,5 hour after arriving at the station. Arrived 45 minutes late. Well, this is Laos.
Van Regional 14pax, Soutchai Travel, Feb 2, 2023
B B
Borna BThe driver who did the transfer from the accommodation came looking like he walked out of his living room, coughed without covering his mouth and spit through the window.
The trip was fine. It was 9.5 h long (for 300 km) because the road going south from Vientiane is horrible, but that's not the carrier's fault. The driver and the ticket seller didn't know a word of English and acted as if there were no foreigners in the van. They didn't understand when I was trying to ask them how long the break is going to be (not even in broken Lao).
Bus Local, Soutchai Travel, Jan 21, 2023
S S
Smith SGood just only vehicle condition but service was bad and not on time (2 hour late)
Van Regional 14pax, Soutchai Travel, Dec 25, 2022
C M
Claudia MVery crowded, very late, not much space for legs. friendly people and driver. Good driver.
Van Regional 14pax, Soutchai Travel, Dec 18, 2022
R M
Rosie MThis was suppose to be a 4 hour journey but we were only half way through at this point. It ended being a 7 and a half hour journey without any communication
Bus Local, Soutchai Travel, Dec 15, 2022
T B
Tim BAccording to the TOS they can change the vehicle type. I booked a minivan with 5.5h travel time and ended up in a bus with nearly 8h travel time. The problem was not the changed vehicle, it was the changed schedule. I booked 11.30am - 5pm. The new schedule was 1pm - 8.30pm. So the day was ruined because I had to wait from 10.30am in the lobby for the pickup. The pickup I got was later than they told me. I tried to call the buscompany but the number on the voucher doesn't work. The number which I found on google worked but no one answered my calls.
Bus Local, Soutchai Travel, Dec 15, 2022
D
Dirk-Jan Driver die not find me at first to bring me to the busstation, but did not give up. Good service.
Bus Regular International, Soutchai Travel, Dec 12, 2022
B
Brittanie The taxi never turned up to our hostel to pick us up. We had to repay for another form of transport to the train station and then had to pay for another ticket for the train. We are yet to be refunded!
Train Second Class Seat, Soutchai Travel, Dec 10, 2022
D R
Dustin REnglish* / German
English //
We booked for 9am and had to call the hotline 1.5 hours later to ask why we weren't picked up. Apparently the time was wrong and the shuttle wouldn't leave until 12:00. After calling, we were picked up very quickly by a private car and then had to spend another hour in the vicinity of the shuttle before we could start. The shuttle itself was perfectly fine and we arrived at our destination quickly. Watch your stuff! My hat was kindly put on my seat, but unfortunately the shuttle was not taken, but another one. So my hat is gone now.
German //
We booked for 9am and had to call the hotline 1.5 hours later to ask why we were not picked up. Apparently the time wasn't right and the shuttle wouldn't leave until 12. So after calling we were picked up very quickly by a private car and then had to spend another hour in the vicinity of the shuttle until it left. The shuttle itself was perfectly fine and we also arrived quickly at our destination. Watch your stuff! My hat was kindly put on my seat, but unfortunately they didn't take the shuttle but another one. Accordingly, my hat is now gone.
*translated by Google
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Van Regional 14pax, Soutchai Travel, Dec 9, 2022
M D
Mika DThey yelled to wake us up for the check point
Yelled at us because we wanted to change seats
Favorite Lao people over us
Didn’t speak English and just tapped on our shoulder and walked so we had to follow them..
Bus Sleeper, Soutchai Travel, Dec 9, 2022
F F
Francisco FThe car was really good and the road too
Unfortunately, the driver put a children bench between two of the seats and since I was the last to be picked, I was the one that had to be seated 2 hours on it, without a place to rest my back.
Van Regional 14pax, Soutchai Travel, Dec 3, 2022
S K
Stefan KThe driver came far too early, the open vehicle was okay but I was in constant fear our luggage would drop off. In hindsight I should simply have bought the ticket myself and take a grab taxi to the bus station. More comfortable, less waiting time, much cheaper.
Bus Regular International, Soutchai Travel, Nov 28, 2022
J S
Jedsada SWaiting so long time and size of van very small with all passenger with our bags. No good
Van Regional 14pax, Soutchai Travel, Nov 25, 2022
A J
Amber JOn time pick up at hotel although rushed demeanour which became confusing when the tuk tuk then dropped us off at the van to only be told come back in 50mins and we will be departing. We had left bags on the van and then had to switch vans at that point meaning people had lost their seats they were saving. A bit of a shambles start. Proceeded to stop at an autorepair place for a car part before driving out of town about 20mins to only return back the same way and head in the right direction. Once on the road surprisingly good although a little hot (weak air con), but the 1hr40min delay to actually hitting the right direction was a little frustrating. Somehow arrived on time though. Wouldn't highly recommend but we got from A to B.
Van Regional 14pax, Soutchai Travel, Nov 14, 2022
I T
Iwona TOn time, pick up from the hotel, comfortable trip
Van Regional 14pax, Soutchai Travel, Nov 9, 2022
T H
Tom HI booked the transfer for 1pm, was told to be ready for 1230, got picked up at 120pm, then told the actual bus wouldn't leave until 2pm. It is only a short journey but I wasted a huge part of the day waiting and being "ready' . Then my bag was stuffed under someone's seat and I couldn't find it for a long time before I got on the bus. The driver assured me it was there but there was barely enough room for all the passengers and all the bags. The company should not overbook if they don't vehicles large enough for all passengers and all luggage.
Van Regional 14pax, Soutchai Travel, Nov 6, 2022
M A
Melissa ABus had no oficial stop, it had mosquitoes and flies inside. Seats did not give much leg room. Only good thing: air conditioning.
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Van Regional 14pax, Soutchai Travel, Mar 24, 2020
Y W
Yolanda WFriendly staff made the bus ride fun
Van Van or Bus, Soutchai Travel, Mar 19, 2020
L W
Lily WOperator was on time and stopped so we could get snacks along the way! I was unable to find the print out of the ticket I had and he was able to let me in using just the email pdf, definitely will be using again!
Van Van or Bus, Soutchai Travel, Mar 15, 2020
C K
Carl KWould get a five star rating if the AC in the bus was better.
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Van Regional 14pax, Soutchai Travel, Mar 13, 2020
K R
Kenneth RPlease update your hotel listing. The hotel we were in had a name change and was not on your pick up listing. Laotel Vientiane used to be Mercure Hotel.
Van Van or Bus, Soutchai Travel, Mar 9, 2020
D A
Darren ARoad over mountains was treacherous.
Van Van or Bus, Soutchai Travel, Mar 8, 2020
D A
Darren ATook a while to pick everyone up.
Van Van or Bus, Soutchai Travel, Mar 8, 2020
M M
MARCOS MLarge and comfortable bus. The trip was easy. Not like the vans that the company puts out between Van Vieng and Luang Prabang.... They are a suffocating sardine can with broken suspension.
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Van Regional 14pax, Soutchai Travel, Mar 6, 2020
S M
Sara MJam packed bus! Had our bags at our feet. A bit of confusion leaving Vang Vieng but still arrived in time. Super windy roads and some rough bits of road but the driver handled it well.
Van Regional 14pax, Soutchai Travel, Mar 5, 2020
T H
Thorsten HThe fart from Vientiane to Vang Vieng took place in an omnibus and ran smoothly. However, the bus stopped after 20 minutes, because the driver received a call that two passengers, who appeared too late for departure, will be brought to the bus with an extra vehicle. As a result, about 30 passengers, who all showed up on time, had to wait almost half an hour in the middle of the route. This is absolutely unacceptable and unfair to the paying customers. Especially since there would have been a second trip on the same day, in which these two people could have ridden.
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Van Regional 14pax, Soutchai Travel, Mar 5, 2020
A K
alan KWere not informed coach terminates at Veng Viang and change to minibus.. 5 others in same position. Language problem but okay in end. Glad I went by road - great experience
Van Van or Bus, Soutchai Travel, Mar 4, 2020
S M
Sara MThe bus left late but otherwise the trip was good.
Van Regional 14pax, Soutchai Travel, Mar 3, 2020
C L
Celine LBe careful, the roads are bad in Laos and often turn into tracks... but our driver drove very well and managed the situation well. Be careful, on the website 123, all the possible hotel stops are not indicated... do not hesitate to contact directly the agency locele Soutchai.
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Van Van or Bus, Soutchai Travel, Mar 2, 2020