Kunming South – Luang Prabang by D887 / D888 Train via China – Laos Railway 2023

Kunming – Luang Prabang by Train 2023

Kunming – Luang Prabang

Kunming – Vientiane Railway (China – Laos) Maps

 Buy Train Tickets Online

1. Buy online with official platforms

From China to Laos: Passengers can book D887 train tickets from Kunming to Luang Prbang online via the official 12306 China Railway website www.12306.cn  (English version) or official booking APP: Tielu 12306 (English version for iOS) or Railway 12306 for Android English version.

From Laos to China: For D888 train tickets from Luang Prabang to Kunming, passengers can book them online via the official LCR Ticket app: LCR Ticket Android or LCR Ticket iOS.

LCR Ticket APP is the official phone application for booking Laos rail tickets. It is owned by Laos-China Railway Co. Ltd. (LCR) and offer services in 3 languages: the Chinese, English and Laotian. With the app, passengers can check real-time schedule, purchase tickets, and make online payment and ticket refund, etc. It has both Android and iOS versions.

2. Buy tickets with online ticket agents

www.chinahighlights.com and www.Trip.com are the two most recommended and trusted online ticket agents on Trip Advisor forum. Lots of foreign travelers had use their websites to check live train schedule and book ticekt with them. They even provide ticket delivery service. You can read some reviews on Trip Advisor before using them.

 Buy Tickets at Train Station

You can also buy tickets at a train station, you can purchase them in person at stations in China or train stations in Laos

For buying D887 Kunming to Luang Prbang train tickets, you can buy at train stations below:

For D888 train tickets from Luang Prbang to Kunming, passengers can purchase them at stations such as Vientiane Railway Station, Vang Vieng Railway Station, Luang Prabang Railway Station, and Boten Railway Station. At the train station, you will need to provide your passport and other relevant information and pay in cash.

When to Buy Train Tickets

It’s recommended to buy the cross-border train tickets in advance, especially during peak travel periods such as the Chinese holidays (Labour Day, National Golden Week, Lunar New Year). Train tickets can be purchased online up to 15 days in advance for D887 and D888 trains. Book early to secure your preferred seats and avoid disappointment.

Immigration & Customs

Passengers will go through immigration and customs control when crossing the border from China to Laos or vice versa. Make sure to have your passport, visa, and relevant documents ready for inspection. You will also need to declare any items that are restricted or prohibited by law in both China and Laos. The immigration and customs procedure may take some time in Mohan Railway Station of China, and in Boten Railway Station of Laos, so make sure to plan accordingly.

 Apply Visa in Advance

To travel between China and Laos via the cross-border train, foreign tourists need to obtain a visa in advance. The Mohan Railway Station Port and the Boten Railway Station Port  do not provide visa-on-arrival services. Make sure to check the visa requirements and apply for a visa in a timely manner before your trip.

In Kunming, you need to go to the Consulate of Laos in Kunming in Caiyunbei Lu in Guandu District to  apply for a visa to Laos. Office hour:

• Monday to Friday
• Morning: 09:00 – 11:30
• Afternoon: 14:00 – 16:00

Appart from Laos Consulate in Kunming, you can also apply visa to Laos via Laos Consulate in Jinghong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Nanning, Changsha and Hong Kong.

FAQ

• Is there a rail link from Kunming to Luang Prabang?

• Yes, the China – Laos Railway offers cross-border passenger service between Kunming and Luang Prabang.

• How long is the train from Kunming to Luang Prbang?

• The journey time for the D887 train from Kunming to Luang Prbang is 7h37m.

• How far is Kunming from Luang Prbang?

• Kunming is about 370 kilometers from Vientiane.

• Is there a railway from Laos to Yunnan?

• Yes, the China – Laos Railway connects Laos to Yunnan province in China.

• Is the Kunming – Luang Prbang train a high speed train ?

• No, the Kunming – Vietiane train services are using China Railway CR200J trainset, that are running at a top speed of 160 km/h, which is called Lancanghao (澜沧号) and named after the Lancang River (rom Grong). A speed of 160 km/h is not considered to be a high speed train in Chinese standard.

Getting to train stations & airports in Kunming

Destinations	Getting there
Kunming South Station	Line 1 Line 4
Kunming Train Station	Line 1
Kunming Changshui Airport	Line 6
Kunming Metro Map: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunming_Metro

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