Last Updated: 7/2/20 | July 2nd, 2020
I very first visited Laos when I was living in Bangkok. however I never spent much time there beyond a few visa runs to Vientiane, the former French trading publish as well as funding of the country.
Years later, on a large trip with the region, I altered that as well as lastly explored the country.
It did not disappoint.
I spent three weeks in the country, basking in the land-locked nation’s stunning nature as well as laid-back atmosphere. While I liked my time there, I was really a bit surprised about exactly how costly it was family member to its neighbors.
I had this picture of Laos being super cheap, an assumption stemming from the truth that it’s less established than its neighbors.
But Laos was more costly than I thought.
At first, I believed I was doing something wrong. Was I missing something?
Was I just being oblivious to super affordable Laos?
When I travel, I try to discover as many low-cost methods to experience a destination as possible. however Laos was leaving me stumped.
But after speaking to some regional writers, I realized that I hadn’t missed anything. There’s a reason Laos is somewhat more costly when compared to the rest of Southeast Asia.
Few things right here are locally created and, since the country is landlocked, it has to import almost everything. That increases costs for goods, services, as well as transportation. When integrated with bit domestic food production as well as higher petrol prices, you have the recipe for a country with higher-than-average costs for the region.
However, it’s by no means an costly destination as well as backpackers will be able to handle quickly without having to pinch pennies. To assist you save money as well as enjoy your trip, here’s whatever you requirement to understand about traveling Laos on a budget.
How much Does Laos Cost?
If you’re a backpacker on a budget, I believe $30-35 USD (315,000 LAK) each day is a reasonable budget. This budget plan will cover a hostel dorm, eating mainly street food, having a few drinks per night, taking public transit, as well as doing about one paid activity (or a couple of affordable temples) per day.
Here are some example costs to provide you a sense of what things expense in Laos (prices in LAK):
Hostel dorm – 45,000
Private space with ensuite bathroom – 130,000
Overnight bus – 150,000-200,000
Tuk-tuk – 50,000
Bus from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng – 150,000
Shared trip to Kuang Si Waterfalls – 50,000
Entrance charge to attractions – 10,000-25,000
Restaurant (local food) – 28,000
Restaurant (Western food) – 45,000
Street food – 15,000-30,000
Bike rentals – 15,000
Beer – 11,000
Water – 8,000
Tubing in Vang Vieng – 60,000
If you’re looking for a more comfortable trip, a mid-range budget plan of about 564,162 LAK ($65 USD) each day will get you a personal two-star hotel space or a personal hostel dorm, taxis, fancier restaurants (and Western food), as well as more activities per day.
If you are coming right here as a backpacker or moderate budget plan traveler, you’ll be hard-pressed to truly spend a lot!
How to save money in Laos
Though costly family member to its neighbors, Laos is still a affordable country to visit. You truly have to try to spend money here.
Besides the typical “stick to the regional food/transportation” typical sense travel wisdom, right here are a few additional tips that will assist you reduce your costs:
1. book Your own activities & Transportation
Most attractions are near cities as well as don’t need you to go with an organized group. You can either lease a motorbike or hire any type of number of tuk-tuk drivers. If you can discover other travelers to join you, you can share a trip as well as lower your costs even more.
For example, when I went to Kuang Si waterfall in Luang Prabang, most hostels desired 80,000 LAK for the trip.
However, taxis from the center of town were only 30,000 LAK if you arranged it yourself. Not only is that cheaper however you get more time at the waterfalls as well as can be on your own schedule.
Another example: my good friends as well as I got a bus to Vientiane from the business our hostel used. It was $5 USD more than the public bus however it was more convenient.
Or, it was supposed to have been more convenient.
We left an hour later as well as there were numerous stops. We would have saved time as well as money if we organized transportation ourselves right from the bus station.
2. utilize Agoda for Accommodation
If you’re booking lodging in advance, utilize Agoda. It’s my go-to website for booking budget plan lodging in Asia. While you can definitely roam around as well as discover lodging on your own, Agoda has a great deal of choices if you want to pre-book.
3. Bring a Water bottle (and Filter)
A water bottle (with a purifier) will are available in handy in Laos since you can’t drink the tap water. save money (and great dealsof single-use plastic bottles) by getting a bottle that can purify the tap water for you. My favored bottle is LifeStraw.
4. prevent Western Food
Western food is always going to be more costly than regional food. as well as while the costs aren’t that high, it will slowly add up over the program of your trip. If you’re truly on a budget, avoid the western food. You can eat burgers when you get home!
***
While Laos will never be discovered on a listing of costly countries, it’s not the bargain you may expect provided the region of the world it is in, particularly if you plan to drink as well as celebration a lot.
But, while it may not be as low-cost as its neighbors, it is still a wonderful as well as affordable budget plan travel destination in the grand plan of things. If you’re traveling around Southeast Asia, don’t miss it!
Book Your trip to Laos: Logistical tips as well as Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner or Momondo to discover a affordable flight. They are my two preferred browse engines since they browse websites as well as airlines around the globe so you always understand no stone is left unturned. begin with Skyscanner very first though since they have the biggest reach!
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest stock as well as finest deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, utilize Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses as well as affordable hotels. My preferred locations to stay are:
Friendly Backpackers Hostel (Luang Prabang)
Sunruse Riverside pool Hostel (Luang Prabang)
Dream house Hostel (Vientiane)
Nana Backpackers Hostel (Vang Vieng)
Don’t fail to remember travel Insurance
Travel insurance coverage will protect you against illness, injury, theft, as well as cancellations. It’s comprehensive security in situation anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to utilize it many times in the past. My preferred business that offer the very best service as well as value are:
Safety Wing (for everybody below 70)
Insure My trip (for those over 70)
Medjet (for extra repatriation coverage)
Looking for the very best business to save money With?
Check out my resource page for the very best business to utilize when you travel. I listing all the ones I utilize to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Want more info on Laos?
Be sure to see our robust destination guide on Laos for even more planning tips!