A Travel Comparison for Vacations, Honeymoons, and Tours Malaysia vs. Laos

Should you visit Malaysia or Laos?

Laos and Malaysia are two very popular countries on the typical backpacker route through Southeast Asia. Malaysia is more expensive, as it is a more developed and modern country compared to Laos and some of the other Southeast Asian nations. Malaysia also sees more visitors thanks to its tropical beaches, scuba diving sites, and cool highlands. Laos, on the other hand, offers jungle tours and great nightlife for budget travelers.

In general, Malaysia's economy is less driven by tourism than many other countries. This makes it easier to have a more "authentic" experience in Malaysia, as one can mingle with the locals to see how they live and work, as well as vacation along side them instead of having them provide a service for you in the tourism industry.

Laos is one of the cheapest places in the world to visit, and is known for adventure travel, ecotourism, and its laid back atmosphere. For all of these reasons, and the low cost, it is very popular with the backpacking crowd. However, in recent years it has seen more of an influx of higher-end tourists looking for ecological wonders in the mostly untouched jungles of this tropical nation.

Which country is cheaper, Laos or Malaysia?

Should I visit Malaysia or Laos? This is a popular question for many travelers. By figuring out which country is more expensive, you'll understand where you'll get more bang for your buck. A week in Laos can cost you about $106 (per person), while a week in Malaysia may cost you around $572. These differences become even more noticable if you plan to spend a longer time in the country. 10 days, two weeks, or even one month of travel to Laos or Malaysia can really add to your travel budget.

Accommodation is often cheaper in Laos compared to Malaysia ($5.94 vs. $43). Budget travelers usually stay in less expensive hostels and guest houses, while nicer hotels often appeal to families and upscale travelers.

Compare hotel prices here: Malaysia Hotel Prices and Laos Hotel Prices.

Or, compare hostel and guesthouse prices between Laos and Malaysia to find the cheapest accommodation here: Laos hostels and Malaysia hostels.

When comparing food in Malaysia vs. Laos they are not just different in cuisine, but also in price. Meal and restaurant costs in Malaysia ($18) are often cheaper than Laos ($5.77).


  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Malaysia $82
    Laos $15
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Malaysia $43
    Laos $5.94
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Malaysia $87
    Laos $12
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Malaysia $12
    Laos $2.05
  • Food Meals for one day
    Malaysia $18
    Laos $5.77
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Malaysia $26
    Laos $2.74
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Malaysia $11
    Laos $1.98
  • Water Bottled water for one day
    Malaysia $0.94
    Laos $0.43
How much are flights to Malaysia and Laos?

The price of a plane ticket may help you decide which country you should visit.




Find a Hostel in Malaysia or Laos

Hostels, guest houses, and locally owned B&B's are often the cheapest form of accommodation.


Malaysia
Laos




Related Articles for Laos
When is the best time to visit Malaysia and Laos?
Sandakan, Malaysia Sandakan, Malaysia
Malaysia stays hot and humid throughout the year. Due to shifting seasonal winds, the wet season on the eastern coasts is between November and February, while the wettest months on the western coasts are April and October. These wet seasons are usually not to be of any concern, as the rains are not so bad that they would ruin a vacation. However, scuba diving enthusiasts should take note because the water visibility is dramatically affected during the rainy seasons.

Laos is warm year-round. The dry season is from October to April, and the wet season is in the summer months. However, don't expect the wet season to dump continuous rain on you, meaning that even in the rainier months travelers don't need to worry about the weather so much. Even still, the "high season" tends to be the dryer times of the year.

Why is Malaysia more expensive than Laos?
The prospering economy of Malaysia means that prices are generally rising. As the Malaysian people become wealthier, more domestic tourists are visiting other locations within Malaysia, resulting in higher prices than some of the neighboring countries.

Laos, being one of the poorest countries in the world, has lower prices for generally everything in the tourism industry compared to its Southeast Asian neighbors. Its reliance on backpackers for so long has also left the country with a large number of hostels and budget hotels, adding even more competition to already low prices. And as much of the country's economy is based on agriculture, this means that food is also fairly cheap. In some places, transportation can get a little pricey, but overall, Laos is just plain cheap.
What are the most expensive and cheapest cities and regions in Malaysia and Laos?
Vang Vieng, Laos Vang Vieng, Laos
Prices in Malaysia are relatively cheap throughout. As the capital city, prices in Kuala Lumpur can be a bit more expensive than in rural areas, but budget options are still plentiful.

If you visit the most popular areas for tourists, such as some of the islands or the Cameron Highlands, you might pay a bit more for a rental car or a tour. Also, public transportation in some touristy areas can be a bit limited, leaving you to take a taxi or rent a car.

Compared to peninsula Malaysia, Borneo can be quite expensive. Although budget accommodation and cheap food are available, most people in Borneo choose to do a variety of activities. This is where the price starts to climb (but is well worth it). Depending on what you choose to do, Borneo can quickly become one of the more expensive places to visit in the area.

Laos is fairly consistent in prices all over the country, as everything is cheap. However, if you plan to do a lot of activities or tours, this can add to your budget. Tours into the countryside to visit the jungle or nearby wilderness areas tend to add more to the budget of travelers.

The cities and towns of Laos tend to be cheap due to the readily available food and accommodation options, as well as more variety and competition.

If you're looking for more luxury, such as a nicer hotel or high-end restaurant, then expect to pay significantly more than the budget or mid-range options.

How you can save money when visiting Malaysia and Laos?
Slow down. If you're rushing through the area you're going to spend more money. Transportation costs can be expensive so the more places you visit, the more money you're going to spend.

Eat local, shop local, and stay local to save money. While Laos is not necessarily known for chains and large companies, they do exist in some places but are more expensive.

Travel slow. Transportation is one of the highest expenses, so picking a destination and maximizing all activities while there will keep prices down.

Negotiate for prices, as locals often try to hike up the prices of food and services for tourists. Shop around and know what things should really cost before you commit to purchasing something.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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