Kong Lor Cave Without the Thakhek Loop – How to Get There (and Leave!) by Bus
When planning our Laos itinerary, visiting Kong Lor Cave was at the very top of our must-do list. But there was one problem: the classic 4-day motorbike trip on the Thakhek Loop just wasn’t for us.
The roads in Laos can be rough and tricky if you’re not an experienced motorbike driver, and we wanted to save our energy for tackling the Pakse Loop the following week.
So we started looking for alternatives – could we get to Kong Lor Cave by bus instead? The good news: yes, it’s absolutely possible!
In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how we reached Kong Lor Cave by bus – and more importantly, how to leave without a motorbike or the Thakhek Loop. We’ll cover routes, costs, travel times, and the little tips we wish we’d known before making the journey ourselves.
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How to Visit Kong Lor Cave Without the Thakhek Loop
There are a few different options to get to Kong Lor Cave depending on where you’re traveling from. Regardless, the journey will be a long one.
Getting There by Bus (Step-by-Step from Thakhek & Vientiane)
Thakhek to Kong Lor Cave by Bus
Songtaews (tuk tuks) leave Thakhek for Kong Lor Cave at 7am and 2pm each day from Thakhek Local Bus Station. This journey takes about 5 hours on the tuk tuk so prepare for a numb bum!
Vientiane to Kong Lor Cave by Bus
This is the direction we came from to reach Kong Lor Cave. We booked our bus through our hostel, House of Jars.
We were picked up from our hostel and transported to the Southern Bus Station in Vientiane. The driver picked up our tickets from the ticket office, then walked us right up to our bus.
This was much appreciated as all signs were in Laotian and it was a very big bus station. We left Vientiane at 8am and arrived in Kong Lor around 6pm.
TOP TIP: Where possible in Laos, we recommend booking public transport through your hostel/guesthouse as information isn’t readily available elsewhere!
Alternative Transport to Kong Lor Cave
📌 NEW FOR 2026. Spring River Resort, located near Kong Lor Village, has informed us of the new shuttle minivan service they are operating daily.
Thakhek to Kong Lor with Spring River Resort
Minivans leave daily from Thakhek at around 7:30am, arriving in Kong Lor at approximately midday.
The shuttle service costs $30USD per person and can hold 2-8 passengers. Read more here.
Spring River also offers private transport for up to 4 passengers costing $160USD.
Vientiane to Kong Lor with Spring River Resort
Spring River Resort offers the same services between Vientiane and Kong Lor.
You’ll leave Vientiane at about 6:30am and arrive in Kong Lor just in time for sunset around 4pm.
The shuttle service costs $55USD per person, suitable for 2-8 passengers. Private transfers for up to 4 people will cost $270USD each way. Read more here.
👉 If we find ourselves in Kong Lor again we will definitely be staying at Spring River Resort. Check prices for your travel dates here.
A Brief History of Kong Lor Cave
Kong Lor Cave is one of Southeast Asia’s most impressive geological wonders. It consists of a 7.5km journey by boat through pitch darkness, with ceilings soaring up to 100 meters. Inside, we floated past eerie stalagmites and glittering stalactites that felt otherworldly.
Our guide explained that for locals in Kong Lor village and Ban Natane, the cave isn’t just a natural wonder – it’s also a practical route. When the surrounding roads are rough, villagers still use the river through the cave to transport goods between communities.
What to Expect from Your Kong Lor Cave Tour
Arriving at the Entrance
Tours from the entry of the cave operate from 8am to 4pm. We left our guesthouse in Kong Lor village bright and early, walking the 1km to the Phu Hin Bun National Park entrance.
Arriving at 9:30am on a Sunday meant it was super quiet – we were the only people at the ticket counter.
After purchasing your ticket, you will be directed to walk another 10 minutes through some woodland where boatmen are ready and waiting to take you on your cave tour.
Here there will be another ticket window to your right where a tour operator will assign you a driver.
The driver will provide you with a life jacket and a head torch. You’ll then walk across the bamboo bridge and down a short trail to the entrance of Kong Lor Cave.
The Long Boat Journey Through the Cave
Next up you will board your boat for the journey and from here onwards, if you’re a cave nerd like us, prepare to have your mind blown.
For the next hour or so your driver will expertly navigate you through the pitch black cave, lit only by his head torch.
During the first part of the trip, you’ll jump out of the boat and climb up a walkway to admire the rock formations and stalactites lit up in the cave while your driver waits for you at the bottom.
Depending on water levels, there may be other occasions where you’ll need to exit the boat and walk 10-15 minutes whilst the driver navigates through some shallower areas.
Not to worry though, you’ll be directed where to go and the path is well lit.
As you approach the end of the cave the light starts to creep in, until suddenly you emerge into the lush landscape of Ban Natane, the local village on the other side.
Here you can expect a 15 minute break to walk around and purchase a cold drink or some snacks from one of the vendors waiting for your arrival.
TOP TIP: Keep an eye out for water buffalo and birds perched on the shore on your approach to the village.
The return journey back to Kong Lor village is much quicker, but not without some more excitement.
You’ll exit the boat once more whilst your driver pushes the boat up through some rapids with the help of fellow drivers and a few brave tourists.
After the Tour: What Happens Next
When the tour is over you don’t have to leave the National Park yet. Instead, stop for a swim in the Nam Hin Bun River outside of the cave!
Just hand your life jacket and head torch over to your driver, then take a seat by the water to reflect on the unique experience of visiting Kong Lor Cave.
🌿 If you are a fan of awe-inspiring nature, you may also like: 7 Interesting Things to Do in Nong Khiaw, Laos
Costs and Practical Tips for Visiting Kong Lor Cave
Entry Fees and Boat Costs
The price of entering Kong Lor Cave in 2024 was 200,000KIP ($10USD) per person.
When arriving at Kong Lor Cave, we assumed there were three separate fees to pay: the National Park fee, the cave entrance fee, and the boat ticket.
The three separate fees have since been updated to a one time fee of 200,000KIP, which now covers all of the above.
TOP TIP: A tip for your driver isn’t necessary, but if they did an exceptional job, we’re sure it would be appreciated.
What to Bring for the Tour
There isn’t anything in particular that’s mandatory for the tour, but we found the following items useful on our trip:
- Water shoes with straps (CROCS!)- we wouldn’t recommend flip flops due to the river current and rocks under foot
- A dry bag – we felt safe in the boat, but always best to be safe than sorry
- Clothes to swim in – if you plan to relax in the river after your tour
- Towel – to sit on the sand by the river
- Head torch – if you have a good one you could bring it. Though our torches were great, other blogs mention having a dim head torch
- Small cash – to buy drinks and to tip if you so wish
TOP TIP: Most women in Laos swim and bathe in clothes or a sarong. You’ll likely see many tourists swimming in bikinis, but it’s respectful of local culture to remain more modest.
Best Time of Year to Visit
The best time to visit Kong Lor Cave is in the dry season, which runs from November to April. At this time, the water levels in the cave are low enough to safely allow travel through.
During the rainy season Kong Lor Cave is at risk of flash flooding, high water levels, and strong currents – not ideal for safe passage in a dark cave.
Furthermore, many guesthouses in the area close during the low (rainy) season.
You may still be able to visit during the shoulder seasons in October or May, but reach out to a guesthouse before traveling all the way to Kong Lor village.
Planning your trip to Laos?
🗺 We have a 1-week itinerary that includes a visit to Kong Lor
🌄 See all the main spots with two weeks in Laos
🌏 Discover more hidden gems (including Kong Lor) by spending a whole month in Laos
Staying in Kong Lor Village
Accommodation options are fairly limited online, however if you choose to be spontaneous, you will find more places that aren’t listed on booking platforms available to book upon arrival in Kong Lor.
Where We Stayed (and Why We Chose It)
We chose to stay at Kong Lor Eco Lodge as the bus stops right outside. The guesthouse owner greeted us as we stepped off the bus and promptly checked us into our room.
The entire family were very friendly and accommodating, and the Eco Lodge was a convenient place to stay during our time in Kong Lor.
TOP TIP: If you choose to stay at Kong Lor Eco Lodge make sure to ask for a bungalow – it’s worth it as the views are insane!
Budget and Guesthouse Options
You can expect to pay a minimum of 200,000KIP ($10USD) per night anywhere in Kong Lor.
Aside from Kong Lor Eco Lodge, other options include Thongdam Guesthouse or Konglor Cave Resort (right by the cave).
Comfort Stays (Lao-Style “Luxury”)
Luxury in Laos does exist but in small villages like Kong Lor, it can be hard to come by.
However, Spring River Resort provides little luxuries such as a private swimming area on the Nam Hin Bun river, excellent coffee, and guided kayak or trekking excursions for guests.
From here, you can also get to Kong Lor Cave via a 30-minute boat ride organized by the resort.
TOP TIP: We recommend spending 2 nights in Kong Lor (you have to if you’re arriving by bus from Vientiane). This allows time to enjoy the cave, take advantage of other activities on offer, or just relax in a hammock and admire the natural beauty of the area.
Food in Kong Lor Village – Our Favorites
Kong Lor Eco Lodge
The restaurant at Kong Lor Eco Lodge is well priced, has good variety, and most importantly, has amazing sunset views over the tobacco fields and mountains.
The Best One Restaurant Kong Lor Cave
A very bold statement! The food was nice, the service was even better, but the ambiance was the real star.
Set back from the road, the tables are in a maze of bamboo bridges surrounded by greenery. You won’t regret a sunset meal here.
Leaving Kong Lor Without a Motorbike
Onward travel options are limited but most people head North to Vientiane or South towards Thakhek and Pakse.
Kong Lor to Vientiane by Bus
The same bus that arrived from Vientiane leaves each morning at 8am from Kong Lor Eco Lodge.
Just make sure to double check the time with your guesthouse the evening before, as public transit schedules are always subject to change. Driving time to Vientiane is around 7 hours.
Kong Lor to Thakhek Without the Loop
The journey to Thakhek is certainly one to remember. A public songtaew (tuk tuk) will pick you up on the side of the road outside Kong Lor Eco Lodge at 6:30am and will arrive in Thakhek around 11am.
At 6:15am we waited patiently at the makeshift bus stop and had quite the unnecessary stress when a different tuk tuk drove past us without stopping.
Fear not, the public tuk tuk will stop for you, you just need to flag it down.
TOP TIP: Be sure to stock up on snacks and water in Kong Lor village as you won’t have time for a hearty guesthouse breakfast at 6am.
The journey started optimistically with four people and plenty of space despite the wooden seats.
Four people soon turned into twenty people as the driver stopped intermittently to pick up locals, large bags of rice, and other goods packed on to be transported to the city.
Needless to say, we were very glad to be out of the tuk tuk and stretching our legs when we arrived at the bus station in Thakhek.
Kong Lor Cave to Pakse
Many people choose to stay in Thakhek at this point to break up a long travel day.
If the tuk tuk from Kong Lor arrives in time, you could also get the bus straight to Pakse.
The daily local bus from Thakhek to Pakse departs between 9am and 11am each day, but in our experience it leaves once it’s full, which was around 11:30am.
Alternatively there is a minivan via Savannakhet to Pakse or a night bus that operates every hour from 7pm.
We would recommend asking at the information desk in the bus station for more details about the next departure to Pakse.
TOP TIP: We found minimal information on public transport to LEAVE Kong Lor Cave. The Spring River Resort webpage had the most updated information on buses and tuk tuks leaving Kong Lor Village.
The Cost of 3 Days in Kong Lor
Overall, a 2 night stay in Kong Lor village cost us 1,320,000KIP ($63USD) per person.
For us this was money well spent. It is possible to spend less if you have cheaper meals and don’t drink alcohol. This cost includes:
- The bus from Vietiane to Kong Lor
- The tuk tuk and bus from Kong Lor to Pakse (including transport to our hostel in Pakse)
- All meals, including a few beers
- Accommodation for 2 nights (Kong Lor Eco Lodge)
- The Kong Lor Cave tour
Final Verdict: Is Kong Lor Cave Worth It?
Yes – but it depends on your style of travel.
For us, Kong Lor Cave was one of the highlights of our 30 days in Laos. The boat ride through the 7km cave is unlike anything else in the country, and it’s absolutely worth the detour if you have the time.
That said, it does take at least two long travel days to reach and leave Kong Lor without a motorbike. If your Laos itinerary is already packed, you’ll need to weigh whether the journey fits.
Our advice? Don’t let the lack of a motorbike stop you. Visiting by bus is completely doable – and for us, the challenge of getting there (and figuring out how to leave!) made the adventure even more memorable.
No motorbike? No problem. But if you do want to ride in Laos, here’s our beginner’s guide to motorbiking. Or, if loops are on your list, see why we loved the Pakse Loop.
