Laos Travel Budget - Visit Laos on a Budget or Travel in Style


How much does it cost to travel to Laos?

You should plan to spend around $15 (₭315,300) per day on your vacation in Laos. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

  • $5.79 (₭120,610) on meals
  • $2.06 (₭42,935) on local transportation
  • $12 (₭248,277) on hotels

A one week trip to Laos for two people costs, on average, $212 (₭4,414,196). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    $15
    315,300
  • One Week Per person
    $106
    2,207,098
  • 2 Weeks Per person
    $212
    4,414,196
  • One Month Per person
    $454
    9,458,992
  • One Week For a couple
    $212
    4,414,196
  • 2 Weeks For a couple
    $424
    8,828,393
  • One Month For a couple
    $908
    18,917,985
This data comes from the travel budgets of real travelers - How it works. Put these numbers on your website.


How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Laos cost?

A one week trip to Laos usually costs around $106 (₭2,207,098) for one person and $212 (₭4,414,196) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Laos on average costs around $212 (₭4,414,196) for one person and $424 (₭8,828,393) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Laos will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Laos on average costs around $454 (₭9,458,992) for one person and $908 (₭18,917,985) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.




How much do package tours cost in Laos?

Organized tours are usually more expensive than independent travel, but offer convenience and peace of mind that your trip has been planned by a travel expert.

The average price for an organized tour package in Laos is $184 per day. While every tour varies by total price, length, number of destinations, and quality, this is the daily average price based on our analysis of available guided tours.



Independent Travel

Traveling Independently has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Is Laos expensive to visit?

Laos is a very affordable destination to visit. It is in the top 10% of countries in the world for its affordability. Many budget travelers enjoy spending long periods of time exploring this country in depth.

Within Asia, Laos is very affordable compared to the other countries. It is in the top 10% of countries in Asia for its affordability. Very few countries in the region are as affordable as Laos.

For more details, see Is Laos Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Laos?

The average Laos trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Laos travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.


Category Cost
Accommodation 1 (Double Occupancy) 248,277 ($12)
Local Transportation 1 42,935 ($2.06)
Food 2 120,610 ($5.79)
Entertainment 1 57,290 ($2.75)
Tips and Handouts 1 11,417 - 34,252 ($1 - 2)
Alcohol 2 20,717 - 62,152 ($1 - 3)
Accommodation Budget in Laos
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Laos is $5.96 (₭124,139). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Laos is $12 (₭248,277). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.


  • Accommodation1 Hotel or hostel for one person
    $5.96
    124,139
  • Accommodation1 Typical double-occupancy room
    $12
    248,277

Hotel Prices in Laos

Looking for a hotel in Laos? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

 

Actual Hotel Prices
The average hotel room price in Laos based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $33. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.


Recommended Properties


Local Transportation Budget in Laos
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The cost of a taxi ride in Laos is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $2.06 (₭42,935) per person, per day, on local transportation in Laos.


  • Local Transportation1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    $2.06
    42,935

Recommended Services

What did other people spend on Local Transportation?

Typical prices for Local Transportation in Laos are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Local Transportation prices in Laos, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Tuk Tuk Ride
    50,000
  • Tuk Tuk Ride
    90,000


Food Budget in Laos
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • While meal prices in Laos can vary, the average cost of food in Laos is $5.79 (₭120,610) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Laos should cost around $2.32 (₭48,244) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Laos is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.


  • Food2 Meals for one day
    $5.79
    120,610

Recommended


Entertainment Budget in Laos
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • Entertainment and activities in Laos typically cost an average of $2.75 (₭57,290) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.


  • Entertainment1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    $2.75
    57,290

Recommended Activities


Tips and Handouts Budget in Laos
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Laos is $1.10 (₭22,835) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Laos is 5% - 15%.


  • Tips and Handouts1 For guides or service providers
    $1.10
    22,835


Alcohol Budget in Laos
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average person spends about $1.99 (₭41,435) on alcoholic beverages in Laos per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.


  • Alcohol2 Drinks for one day
    $1.99
    41,435


Water Budget in Laos
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • On average, people spend $0.43 (₭9,003) on bottled water in Laos per day. The public water in Laos is not usually considered safe to drink.


  • Water2 Bottled water for one day
    $0.43
    9,003


Laos On a Budget
Laos Vang Vieng, Laos
Laos is one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia, and as a landlocked country with a small handful of attractions, it is often overlooked. Travelers who do come to this country come for the laid back atmosphere and beautiful landscape with striking sunsets and welcoming people. Throughout the country you'll find colonial French towns and beautiful Buddhist stupas. While it may be less popular, when you look at the subtleties, Laos has plenty to offer.

Laos is one of the most relaxed countries in Southeast Asian. Because tourism is not as popular, it has a more mellow vibe and it is the perfect place to let the days slip away in a peaceful and beautiful setting. Most visitors to this country and traveling through other parts of Southeast Asia as well. This is a great place to meet fellow backpackers, exchange tips, and rest after some grueling journeys.

Although Laos has a small population, there are still a wide range of ethnic groups. Three quarters of the population fall into the Lao, Khmou, and Hmong groups.
At A Glance
  • Popular experiences during a trip to Laos include a visit to the golden Phra That Luang temple and Wat Si Saket, the site of 2,000 Buddha statues. Enjoy the growing industry of ecotourism or take a longtail boat ride down the Mekong River. Tubing is one of the most popular activities in Laos.

  • The climate in Laos is broken down into three different seasons. The hot season runs from March to May and temperatures can soar. The wet season, between May and October, is a little cooler, but tropical downpours are frequent. July and August are the worst months for rain, and some flooding in not uncommon. The dry season is between November and March. During this time there is far less rain and temperatures are much cooler. This is the peak season in Laos.

  • There are several options for traveling around Laos. Minibuses are a faster, but more expensive option. VIP buses are older and break down often, but they are more comfortable with more space for the traveler. Some perks may also be included in your fare such as a bottle of water and a lunch or dinner. Air conditioning is usually available but may be broken. Renting a car is the most expensive, but most convenient option for navigating the country.

  • The Lao currency is the kip. Some places will accept the US dollar, although this should not be expected. In touristy areas the euro may also be accepted. There are plenty of ATMs in Vientiane and some can be found in other cities such as Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Savannekhet, Tha Khaek, among others.

  • You can purchase made-to-order clothing in Laos, but expect low quality material. Alternatively, a popular purchase is Handmade Lao silk, which can be found at the Morning Market in Vientiane. Make sure the silk is authentic and not the cheaper, synthetic form that is imported from China or Vietnam.



Related:

Looking for a hostel in Vietnam or Cambodia? Find party hostels in Vietnam or Siem Reap or find the best place to stay if you're traveling alone to Ho Chi Minh City.
Top Tourist Attractions
Vieng Xai: This town offers a unique view into Laos' past. It served as the headquarters for the Pathet Lao during the US led bombings in the 1960's. The headquarters was based in the limestone karst cave networks found throughout the towns. The caves created a "hidden city" that support about 20,000 people over the course of 9 years. It was a functioning community with schools, hospitals and markets. Today, daily tours are available of the caves.

Wat Phu: This is the site of ruins from a Kindu Khmer temple complex in the Champasak province. It dates back to the 12th century and has some similarities to Angkor Wat.

Pha That Luang: Laos is a Buddhist nation and temples are one of the most common attractions for visitors. This stupa is the national symbol and most significant monument in the country. It dates back to the 16th century and is found in the capital city of Vientiane.

Popular Foods
Food in Laos is somewhat similar to that found in Thailand. There are several comparable dishes, although slight variations in the preparation techniques and ingredients may be obvious. The food is prepared very spicy and is more often bitter instead of sweet. It is made with lots of fresh herbs and vegetables and rice is the staple carbohydrate.

Laap: This is the national dish of Laos, and is sometimes referred to as larb. It is a salad of minced meat that is made with herbs, spices and lime juice. It is often served spicy with a large amount of chili. It is different from the Thai version of this dish because it is usually made with raw meat instead of the cooked variety.

Tam Maak Hung: This is a spicy green papaya salad. It is similar to som tam, which is found in Thailand, although it has a stronger flavor due to the fermented crab and fish sauce that is typical in Laos.

Khao Jii Pat-te: This is a common option throughout Laos and is essentially a French baguette that has been stuffed with a pate.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.