Train ticket Vang vieng to Luang prabang

Yes a fast train without seeing scenery as mostly in tunnels. Strict security, BE WARNED !!! Have always travelled with a small pocket knife for 40 years, through airports etc but it was confiscated for this train. Also at Vientiane huge station with duplicate toilet amenities each end with one end completely closed. Opened set had 14 cubicles with all but ONE locked - same for men and women's. Passengers numbered 720

I ordered two tickets from Vientiane to Luang Prabang and paid. But they never sent me the QR code. I contacted them by email and WhatsApp, but they just ignored me.

I booked tickets from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang through an agency. About 4 days before departure I received an email telling me I had to collect the tickets with my passport at a restaurant next to the train station at least one hour before departure. I was a little nervous as it seemed unusual, but our hotel seemed to know this routine and set up a tuk-tuk driver to take us to the restaurant and onto the train station. It was a very smooth process. You don't even go into the restaurant as the train ticket outlet is in the front of the building. I read the reviews and spoke to people about how intense security was, so we made sure we didn't have the items they were known to confiscate. The train station is clean with a coffee shop and a small convenience store. There did not seem to be wifi or toilet paper, so be prepared for that. As far as security, boarding, and the train ride itself, it was all straightforward. The train stations in both Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang are outside of town. It cost us 50kip each to go to the Vang Vieng station in a tuk-tuk, and 40kip to go into town in Luang Prabang in a minibus. We were dropped off directly at our hotel in LP. There is an organized system of arrival and minibusses in Luang Prabang. Exit the station and cross the road. Go down the stairs and you will see people selling tickets under some tents. They will sell you the tickets and you will join a crowd of people. It felt a bit chaotic at first, but walk up to drivers and show them your hotel name. Be very clear about the name of your hotel and they will get you to the right minibus.