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Cost of Travel in Laos

Wat Phu Temple
Wat Phu Temple

Ask a traveler about the country of Laos, and undoubtedly one of the first words emitted will be somewhere along the lines of relaxation.

Maybe it's the surrounding countries filled with bustling industry and mega-populations of people zooming around that makes Laos a quiet haven in Southeast Asia.

Along with a relaxed atmosphere and a chilled-out population, Laos also offers an exceptionally low cost of travel.

Laos uses the Laotian Kip (LAK). Currency exchange: $1 is about 8,727 LAK (July 2019)

A motorcycle tuk-tuk known as a "Jumbo"
A motorcycle tuk-tuk is known as a “Jumbo.”

Cost of Transportation

Towns throughout Laos are pretty easy to walk around without using any other form of transportation.

There are motorcycle tuk-tuks called Jumbos that work as taxis. Fares should be agreed upon before riding, according to distance.

Drivers will probably say a price that is twice or so higher than the actual fare, so be persistent when negotiating.

Jumbos should cost around $1.25 – $3 (10,000 to 26,000 Kip), depending on where you are going.

The primary way to get from city to city is by bus.

  • Vientiane to Luang Prabang: Overnight bus, about 10 hours for $10 – $15 (87,000 to 131,000 Kip)
  • Pakse to Savannakhet: 5-hour bus ride on a local bus for $5 (44,000 Kip)
  • Savannakhet to Muong Khong in southern Laos: 8-hour bus ride on a local bus for $9 (78,500 Kip)

You can find out how to go anywhere in Laos with Bookaway, an online ticketing site for bus, ferry, train, and private transfers.

Another method of getting from town to town is in the back of bus-trucks known as songthaews. Should cost around $1 – $3 (10,000 – 26,000 Kip) per hour or so.

It's also a popular option to rent a motorcycle for the day or a few days to get around.

A day of renting a motorcycle should cost about $8 – $10 (70,000 – 87,000 Kip) in most places.

Laos Airlines in Luang Prabang airport
Laos Airlines in Luang Prabang

How to Get Cheap Flights in Laos

If you're short on time, quick domestic flights are an option for getting around.

We recommend using Skyscanner to search for the best domestic flights in Laos.

Here are a few examples:

Download the Skyscanner app for easy access to all the best deals in Laos and beyond – iOS click here or Android click here.

Inter City Hotel in Viantiane
Inter City Hotel in Vientiane

Cost of Accommodation

Accommodation in Laos for budget travelers is in Guest Houses that generally offer a selection of different rooms, with fans, with air-con, double or single.

The cheapest rooms I stayed in were for $3 (26,000 Kip) for a double (shared with a friend) fan room.

Expect to pay anywhere from $4 to $8 (35,000 to 70,000 Kip) for a double fan room.

Air-conditioned double rooms can easily be found from $8 – $10 (70,000 to 87,000 Kip) per night.

Peppers drying in Luang Prabang
Peppers drying in Luang Prabang

Cost of Food

Food can be quite cheap in large cities, but I was surprised how food prices inflate in tourist areas like the Southern 4,000 islands.   

Street Food

  • Green papaya salad and sticky rice can run as low as $0.75 – $1.25 (5,000 – 10,0000 Kip) for an entire meal; add a whole grilled fish for an extra $4 (35,000 Kip)
  • Plates of rice with other dishes can be purchased in the range of around $1.25 (10,000 Kip)
  • Tasty baguette sandwiches are about $0.75 (6,000 Kip)
  • In touristy areas, these same meals can cost $4 to $8 (35,000 – 70,000 Kip)

Sit Down Restaurants

The main cities of Laos are stocked with lovely International restaurants that include the likes of French, Indian, and Italian cuisine.

Meals at fancy sit-down restaurants run in the range of $6 – $13 per dish (52,000 – 114,000 Kip).

1.5 L bottle of water – $0.75 (5,000 Kip)

Beerlao in 4,000 Islands
Beerlao in 4,000 Islands

Cost of Drinking / Going Out

Beer in Laos is a pretty good price, 640 ml bottles of decent Beerlao run at about 8000 – 10,000 Kip ($1 – $1.25).

I've never been or even really seen a club in Laos. Most places to go out at night are chilled out, small-scale bars, and hanging out destinations.

Drinks can cost anywhere from $1.25 – $3 (10,000 – 26,000 Kip).

Boat ride on the Mekong River
Boat ride on the Mekong River

Cost of Activities & Attractions

  • 3-day travel on a Mekong Riverboat: We bargained down to $31 (270,000 Kip), but it would have surely been worth it to pay $38 (331,000 Kip)
  • Tubing in Vang Vieng: $7 (61,000 Kip) to rent the tube
  • Entrance to UNESCO World Heritage temple of Wat Phu: $4 (35,000 Kip)
  • Access on Don Khon island (to see the waterfall): $3 (26,000 Kip)

Overall Cost of Travel in Laos

Laos is a country so laid back; if you'd like to follow their lifestyle and chill out, it's possible to see it for about $10 per day (or a little less).  

I spent about $10 – $15 (80,000 to 120,000 Kip) per day, seeing plenty of things!

Daily Travel Budget: $10 – $25+

Last Updated on April 20, 2021 by Dave Lee

Jay

Sunday 9th of October 2016

Laos is more expensive than most travelers think it is . Do not expect prices comparable to northern Thailand here. Meals / rooms/ / and transportation cost a lot more than northern Thailand .

Wouter

Monday 6th of June 2016

Hi there,

Great blog with very useful information. I am planning to go to Laos soon again. Love the relaxed atmosphere there.

Jan St

Saturday 28th of May 2016

I read that renting a place in Vientiane is much more expensive than in Cambodia or Vietnam. Does anyone know why?

wilson yellowe

Friday 11th of March 2016

I'm travelling to Laos with my girlfriend in a couple of weeks. Although I know Thailand pretty well, I've never been to Laos. Are there any dangers that we should be aware of. And where is the best place to go as we are also travelling into Vietnam and Cambodia. Any useful tips would be welcomed.

Thibaud

Monday 28th of March 2016

Hi Wilson, how long do you plan to visit those 3 countries? I'd like to do the same but only have 15 days to spend in late augustus, I was wondering if it's not too short? Thx

Stephanie Nicole

Tuesday 9th of February 2016

I'm getting ready to travel from Thailand to Laos in a couple of weeks! This post is pretty helpful in preparing. Thank you.