Thakhek is a transit point on the main road and railway corridor between Vientiane and Pakse. By bus from Vientiane it takes about 6 hours; from Vientiane Thanaleng train station, the train service to Thakhek takes around 3 hours. From Pakse, the bus takes about 5 hours. The main bus station is a couple of kilometres from the town centre; a tuk-tuk covers the gap.
The Third Mekong–Friendship Bridge connects Thakhek to Nakhon Phanom in Thailand, and the border crossing is open to foreign nationals. From Nakhon Phanom, buses connect to Khon Kaen and Bangkok. There is no airport at Thakhek; the nearest domestic airport is at Savannakhet, about two hours south.