Vehicle guide

Songthaew

ສອງແຖວ

Usually 12 seatsCash

A converted pickup with two benches in the back — Champasak’s rural bus. Songthaews leave the Southern Bus Terminal (Lak 8) for Champasak town, Ban Muang and Nakasang, and Daoheuang market for Paksong, or can be chartered for a Bolaven waterfall day.

How to call one

Southern Bus Terminal (Lak 8) — runs to Champasak / Ban Muang and to Nakasang (for the 4,000 Islands), mostly in the morning
Daoheuang market — runs up to Paksong and the plateau waterfalls; check the destination sign on the front
Flag one down along Route 13 South or Route 16 and tell the driver where to drop you
Charter one for sightseeing via your hotel, a tour desk or a verified driver on this website

Local tips

Scheduled runs charge per person; charters are priced per vehicle — confirm before boarding
Most runs leave between about 07:00 and 12:00 once full, with few in the afternoon — set off early
Chartering for Bolaven waterfalls: agree how many falls, how many hours of waiting and whether the return is included
The plateau is cool and often wet — bring a rain jacket and a long-sleeved layer

Standard fares

Fair prices for Songthaew

Ranges agreed with local transport offices. Anything above the ceiling is overcharging — you can report it.

Open full fare table

Per vehicle or per person?

The same number can mean very different totals. Always ask which one the driver means.

Per vehicle· ຕໍ່ຄັນ

One price for the whole vehicle, no matter how many of you ride (up to its seats). Split it among your group.

Per person· ຕໍ່ຄົນ

Each passenger pays this price. Multiply by the number of people in your group to get the total.

Before you get in, confirm the total for your whole group — and show the Driver Card.

Bolaven Plateau (Paksong)ພູພຽງບໍລະເວນ (ປາກຊ່ອງ)

Type	Route / formula	Fair price	Charged	Ceiling	Time	Source
Fixed route	Pakse (Southern terminal) → Tad Fane junction (Km 38) · Pakse Southern Bus Terminal (Lak 8) → Tad Fane – Tad Yeung turn-off (Km 38)ສະຖານີຂົນສົ່ງສາຍໃຕ້ ປາກເຊ (ຫຼັກ 8) → ທາງແຍກຕາດຟານ (ຫຼັກ 38)Price per person (shared ride, leaves when full). Chartering the whole vehicle costs much more (sample).	₭ 25,000–30,000≈ $1.16–$1.4	Per person	₭ 40,000Never pay above	Any time	Sample data — to be verified with local authoritiesValid from Jan 1, 2026Updated Oct 18, 2026
Fixed route	Pakse (Southern terminal) → Paksong market · Pakse Southern Bus Terminal (Lak 8) → Paksong market (songthaew stop)ສະຖານີຂົນສົ່ງສາຍໃຕ້ ປາກເຊ (ຫຼັກ 8) → ຕະຫຼາດປາກຊ່ອງPrice per person (shared ride, leaves when full). Chartering the whole vehicle costs much more (sample).	₭ 30,000–40,000≈ $1.4–$1.86	Per person	₭ 50,000Never pay above	Any time	Sample data — to be verified with local authoritiesValid from Jan 1, 2026Updated Oct 18, 2026
By distance	Base ₭ 10,000 + ₭ 1,000/km (min. ₭ 15,000)Price per person (shared ride, leaves when full). Chartering the whole vehicle costs much more (sample).	₭ 15,000–25,000≈ $0.7–$1.16Minimum fare; longer trips follow the formula	Per person	₭ 40,000Never pay above	Daytime	Sample data — to be verified with local authoritiesValid from Jan 1, 2026Updated Oct 18, 2026
By distance	Base ₭ 15,000 + ₭ 1,500/km (min. ₭ 20,000)Night rate (approx. 20:00–06:00), usually 20–30% above the day rate. Agree the price first (sample).	₭ 20,000–30,000≈ $0.93–$1.4Minimum fare; longer trips follow the formula	Per person	₭ 50,000Never pay above	Night	Sample data — to be verified with local authoritiesValid from Jan 1, 2026Updated Oct 18, 2026
Hourly hire	Hourly charter (around Paksong)Fuel included; entrance and parking fees not included. Agree the itinerary and price before departure (sample).	₭ 120,000–150,000≈ $5.58–$6.98per hour	Per vehicle	₭ 200,000Never pay above	Any time	Sample data — to be verified with local authoritiesValid from Jan 1, 2026Updated Oct 18, 2026
Daily hire	Day charter (about 8 h)Fuel included; entrance and parking fees not included. Agree the itinerary and price before departure (sample).	₭ 700,000–900,000≈ $33–$42per day	Per vehicle	₭ 1,100,000Never pay above	Any time	Sample data — to be verified with local authoritiesValid from Jan 1, 2026Updated Oct 18, 2026

Fixed route
Per person
Pakse (Southern terminal) → Tad Fane junction (Km 38) · Pakse Southern Bus Terminal (Lak 8) → Tad Fane – Tad Yeung turn-off (Km 38)
ສະຖານີຂົນສົ່ງສາຍໃຕ້ ປາກເຊ (ຫຼັກ 8) → ທາງແຍກຕາດຟານ (ຫຼັກ 38)
Price per person (shared ride, leaves when full). Chartering the whole vehicle costs much more (sample).
Fair price
₭ 25,000–30,000≈ $1.16–$1.4
Never pay above
₭ 40,000
Valid from Jan 1, 2026Sample data — to be verified with local authorities
Fixed route
Per person
Pakse (Southern terminal) → Paksong market · Pakse Southern Bus Terminal (Lak 8) → Paksong market (songthaew stop)
ສະຖານີຂົນສົ່ງສາຍໃຕ້ ປາກເຊ (ຫຼັກ 8) → ຕະຫຼາດປາກຊ່ອງ
Price per person (shared ride, leaves when full). Chartering the whole vehicle costs much more (sample).
Fair price
₭ 30,000–40,000≈ $1.4–$1.86
Never pay above
₭ 50,000
Valid from Jan 1, 2026Sample data — to be verified with local authorities
By distanceDaytime
Per person
Base ₭ 10,000 + ₭ 1,000/km (min. ₭ 15,000)
Price per person (shared ride, leaves when full). Chartering the whole vehicle costs much more (sample).
Fair price
₭ 15,000–25,000≈ $0.7–$1.16Minimum fare; longer trips follow the formula
Never pay above
₭ 40,000
Valid from Jan 1, 2026Sample data — to be verified with local authorities
By distanceNight
Per person
Base ₭ 15,000 + ₭ 1,500/km (min. ₭ 20,000)
Night rate (approx. 20:00–06:00), usually 20–30% above the day rate. Agree the price first (sample).
Fair price
₭ 20,000–30,000≈ $0.93–$1.4Minimum fare; longer trips follow the formula
Never pay above
₭ 50,000
Valid from Jan 1, 2026Sample data — to be verified with local authorities
Hourly hire
Per vehicle
Hourly charter (around Paksong)
Fuel included; entrance and parking fees not included. Agree the itinerary and price before departure (sample).
Fair price
₭ 120,000–150,000≈ $5.58–$6.98per hour
Never pay above
₭ 200,000
Valid from Jan 1, 2026Sample data — to be verified with local authorities
Daily hire
Per vehicle
Day charter (about 8 h)
Fuel included; entrance and parking fees not included. Agree the itinerary and price before departure (sample).
Fair price
₭ 700,000–900,000≈ $33–$42per day
Never pay above
₭ 1,100,000
Valid from Jan 1, 2026Sample data — to be verified with local authorities

Pakse Cityຕົວເມືອງປາກເຊ

Type	Route / formula	Fair price	Charged	Ceiling	Time	Source
Fixed route	Vang Tao border (Chong Mek) → Pakse centre · Vang Tao – Chong Mek border (Laos–Thailand) → Pakse city centre (riverside / Charoen Sedone)ດ່ານວັງເຕົ່າ – ຊ່ອງເມັກ → ໃຈກາງເມືອງປາກເຊPrice per person (shared ride, leaves when full). Chartering the whole vehicle costs much more (sample).	₭ 20,000–30,000≈ $0.93–$1.4	Per person	₭ 40,000Never pay above	Any time	Sample data — to be verified with local authoritiesValid from Jan 1, 2026Updated Oct 18, 2026
By distance	Base ₭ 5,000 + ₭ 1,500/km (min. ₭ 10,000)Price per person (shared ride, leaves when full). Chartering the whole vehicle costs much more (sample).	₭ 10,000–15,000≈ $0.47–$0.7Minimum fare; longer trips follow the formula	Per person	₭ 20,000Never pay above	Daytime	Sample data — to be verified with local authoritiesValid from Jan 1, 2026Updated Oct 18, 2026
By distance	Base ₭ 8,000 + ₭ 2,000/km (min. ₭ 15,000)Night rate (approx. 20:00–06:00), usually 20–30% above the day rate. Agree the price first (sample).	₭ 15,000–20,000≈ $0.7–$0.93Minimum fare; longer trips follow the formula	Per person	₭ 25,000Never pay above	Night	Sample data — to be verified with local authoritiesValid from Jan 1, 2026Updated Oct 18, 2026
Hourly hire	Hourly charterFuel included; entrance and parking fees extra — DEMO sample data.	₭ 120,000–150,000≈ $5.58–$6.98per hour	Per vehicle	₭ 200,000Never pay above	Any time	DEMO sample data — to be verified with local authorities before go-liveValid from Jan 1, 2026Updated Oct 18, 2026
Daily hire	Day charter (about 8 h)Fuel included; entrance and parking fees extra — DEMO sample data.	₭ 600,000–800,000≈ $28–$37per day	Per vehicle	₭ 1,000,000Never pay above	Any time	DEMO sample data — to be verified with local authorities before go-liveValid from Jan 1, 2026Updated Oct 18, 2026

Fixed route
Per person
Vang Tao border (Chong Mek) → Pakse centre · Vang Tao – Chong Mek border (Laos–Thailand) → Pakse city centre (riverside / Charoen Sedone)
ດ່ານວັງເຕົ່າ – ຊ່ອງເມັກ → ໃຈກາງເມືອງປາກເຊ
Price per person (shared ride, leaves when full). Chartering the whole vehicle costs much more (sample).
Fair price
₭ 20,000–30,000≈ $0.93–$1.4
Never pay above
₭ 40,000
Valid from Jan 1, 2026Sample data — to be verified with local authorities
By distanceDaytime
Per person
Base ₭ 5,000 + ₭ 1,500/km (min. ₭ 10,000)
Price per person (shared ride, leaves when full). Chartering the whole vehicle costs much more (sample).
Fair price
₭ 10,000–15,000≈ $0.47–$0.7Minimum fare; longer trips follow the formula
Never pay above
₭ 20,000
Valid from Jan 1, 2026Sample data — to be verified with local authorities
By distanceNight
Per person
Base ₭ 8,000 + ₭ 2,000/km (min. ₭ 15,000)
Night rate (approx. 20:00–06:00), usually 20–30% above the day rate. Agree the price first (sample).
Fair price
₭ 15,000–20,000≈ $0.7–$0.93Minimum fare; longer trips follow the formula
Never pay above
₭ 25,000
Valid from Jan 1, 2026Sample data — to be verified with local authorities
Hourly hire
Per vehicle
Hourly charter
Fuel included; entrance and parking fees extra — DEMO sample data.
Fair price
₭ 120,000–150,000≈ $5.58–$6.98per hour
Never pay above
₭ 200,000
Valid from Jan 1, 2026DEMO sample data — to be verified with local authorities before go-live
Daily hire
Per vehicle
Day charter (about 8 h)
Fuel included; entrance and parking fees extra — DEMO sample data.
Fair price
₭ 600,000–800,000≈ $28–$37per day
Never pay above
₭ 1,000,000
Valid from Jan 1, 2026DEMO sample data — to be verified with local authorities before go-live

Southern Champasak (Wat Phou – Si Phan Don)ຈຳປາສັກໃຕ້ (ວັດພູ – ສີ່ພັນດອນ)

Type	Route / formula	Fair price	Charged	Ceiling	Time	Source
Fixed route	Pakse (Southern terminal) → Champasak town (songthaew) · Pakse Southern Bus Terminal (Lak 8) → Champasak town (old town)ສະຖານີຂົນສົ່ງສາຍໃຕ້ ປາກເຊ (ຫຼັກ 8) → ເມືອງຈຳປາສັກPrice per person (shared ride, leaves when full). Chartering the whole vehicle costs much more (sample).	₭ 25,000–35,000≈ $1.16–$1.63	Per person	₭ 50,000Never pay above	Any time	Sample data — to be verified with local authoritiesValid from Jan 1, 2026Updated Oct 18, 2026
Fixed route	Kiet Ngong turn-off (Route 13, Ban Thang Beng) → Ban Nakasang pier (boats to Si Phan Don)ທາງແຍກບ້ານກຽດງອງ → ທ່າເຮືອບ້ານນາກະສັງPrice per person (shared ride) — DEMO sample data.	₭ 40,000–50,000≈ $1.86–$2.33	Per person	₭ 60,000Never pay above	Any time	DEMO sample data — to be verified with local authorities before go-liveValid from Jan 1, 2026Updated Oct 18, 2026
By distance	Base ₭ 10,000 + ₭ 1,000/km (min. ₭ 15,000)Price per person (shared ride, leaves when full). Chartering the whole vehicle costs much more (sample).	₭ 15,000–25,000≈ $0.7–$1.16Minimum fare; longer trips follow the formula	Per person	₭ 40,000Never pay above	Daytime	Sample data — to be verified with local authoritiesValid from Jan 1, 2026Updated Oct 18, 2026
By distance	Base ₭ 15,000 + ₭ 1,500/km (min. ₭ 20,000)Night rate (approx. 20:00–06:00), usually 20–30% above the day rate. Agree the price first (sample).	₭ 20,000–30,000≈ $0.93–$1.4Minimum fare; longer trips follow the formula	Per person	₭ 50,000Never pay above	Night	Sample data — to be verified with local authoritiesValid from Jan 1, 2026Updated Oct 18, 2026
Hourly hire	Hourly charterFuel included; entrance and parking fees extra — DEMO sample data.	₭ 120,000–150,000≈ $5.58–$6.98per hour	Per vehicle	₭ 200,000Never pay above	Any time	DEMO sample data — to be verified with local authorities before go-liveValid from Jan 1, 2026Updated Oct 18, 2026
Daily hire	Day charter (about 8 h)Fuel included; entrance and parking fees extra — DEMO sample data.	₭ 600,000–800,000≈ $28–$37per day	Per vehicle	₭ 1,000,000Never pay above	Any time	DEMO sample data — to be verified with local authorities before go-liveValid from Jan 1, 2026Updated Oct 18, 2026

Fixed route
Per person
Pakse (Southern terminal) → Champasak town (songthaew) · Pakse Southern Bus Terminal (Lak 8) → Champasak town (old town)
ສະຖານີຂົນສົ່ງສາຍໃຕ້ ປາກເຊ (ຫຼັກ 8) → ເມືອງຈຳປາສັກ
Price per person (shared ride, leaves when full). Chartering the whole vehicle costs much more (sample).
Fair price
₭ 25,000–35,000≈ $1.16–$1.63
Never pay above
₭ 50,000
Valid from Jan 1, 2026Sample data — to be verified with local authorities
Fixed route
Per person
Kiet Ngong turn-off (Route 13, Ban Thang Beng) → Ban Nakasang pier (boats to Si Phan Don)
ທາງແຍກບ້ານກຽດງອງ → ທ່າເຮືອບ້ານນາກະສັງ
Price per person (shared ride) — DEMO sample data.
Fair price
₭ 40,000–50,000≈ $1.86–$2.33
Never pay above
₭ 60,000
Valid from Jan 1, 2026DEMO sample data — to be verified with local authorities before go-live
By distanceDaytime
Per person
Base ₭ 10,000 + ₭ 1,000/km (min. ₭ 15,000)
Price per person (shared ride, leaves when full). Chartering the whole vehicle costs much more (sample).
Fair price
₭ 15,000–25,000≈ $0.7–$1.16Minimum fare; longer trips follow the formula
Never pay above
₭ 40,000
Valid from Jan 1, 2026Sample data — to be verified with local authorities
By distanceNight
Per person
Base ₭ 15,000 + ₭ 1,500/km (min. ₭ 20,000)
Night rate (approx. 20:00–06:00), usually 20–30% above the day rate. Agree the price first (sample).
Fair price
₭ 20,000–30,000≈ $0.93–$1.4Minimum fare; longer trips follow the formula
Never pay above
₭ 50,000
Valid from Jan 1, 2026Sample data — to be verified with local authorities
Hourly hire
Per vehicle
Hourly charter
Fuel included; entrance and parking fees extra — DEMO sample data.
Fair price
₭ 120,000–150,000≈ $5.58–$6.98per hour
Never pay above
₭ 200,000
Valid from Jan 1, 2026DEMO sample data — to be verified with local authorities before go-live
Daily hire
Per vehicle
Day charter (about 8 h)
Fuel included; entrance and parking fees extra — DEMO sample data.
Fair price
₭ 600,000–800,000≈ $28–$37per day
Never pay above
₭ 1,000,000
Valid from Jan 1, 2026DEMO sample data — to be verified with local authorities before go-live

Fares are guidance from local transport offices and partners; final prices are agreed between you and the driver. Always confirm whether the price is per vehicle or per person before you set off.

About this vehicle