Cost to Travel to Laos: A Budget Breakdown

Introduction: Embarking on a Laotian Adventure

Laos. What a remarkably underrated country! Bursting with authenticity and unspoiled charm, it’s a hidden gem many travelers overlook. In this post, I will break down the cost to travel to Laos for a 28-day exploration, revealing its unique allure.

At immigration, the border agent’s surprised expression said it all: “What?! A month in Laos?!” His reaction, a testament to how underappreciated this country is, only fueled my curiosity.

This post will cover not only my expenses, but also some personal insights and highlights of the trip. The expenses are broken down into four categories: lodging, transportation, food, and experiences/misc.

The total of my 28 days in Laos was $1,126 or about $40/day, including private rooms, dining out, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences like a sunrise hot air balloon ride and an overnight jungle trek.

(Note: I’ve converted all local prices into USD for ease of understanding. The conversion rate was approximately 1 USD to 16,300 Kip during my trip.)

Budget Overview: 28 Days in Laos

Understanding the cost to travel to a country like Laos is vital for any adventurer looking to explore on a budget. Below, I’ll delve into a budget overview for my 28-day stay.

I’ll be going more in-depth later on for each of these categories.

Destination Highlights: Exploring the True Gems of Laos

Vientiane: A Cultural Start

Going into Laos, I had no idea what to expect and barely had an itinerary. All I knew were my first couple of stops–the first being Vientiane, the capital. The city may not brim with activities; however, I recommend checking out the Patuxai Arch, some of the beautiful museums and temples like Wat Sisaket and Ho Phrakeo Museum. Also be sure to see the night market along the Mekong River. The sunset alone is worth the visit!

Vang Vieng: A Slice of Heaven

Next up was Vang Vieng. This enchanting town truly really captured my heart. It is nestled amongst humorous limestone mountains and every evening offered a spectacular sunset. it’s a slice of heaven for outdoor enthusiasts! There’s hiking, cave exploring, rock climbing, hot air balloon rides, and lagoons and rivers to swim in here.

The hot air balloon ride was a truly breathtaking experience. We began at sunrise, with mist still in the air and draping the mountains. The sunlight’s reflection gently illuminated the sides of these massive limestone behemoths. And off in the distance, you can see spectacular landscapes that I imagine few, if any, foreigners have ever visited. 

And then we almost died. Our majestic balloon ride quickly turned into panic as we began descent. If you’ve ever been on a hot air balloon ride, you’ll know that landing is basically controlled crashing. We watched as we floated downwards nearing some power lines. We managed to avoid them and landed in someone’s backyard. It was quite the spectacle and the entire village came out to watch our almost-demise.

I was also here for the annual lantern festival, Boun Lai Heua Fai. It changes every year, but is typically within the first two weeks of October. It typically includes fun events like boat races and tons of food (I tried my first bugs here!). I initially wanted to stay here for one week, but I opted to stay for an extra eight days because it was that incredible.

Luang Prabang: Vibrant Traditions

After Vang Vieng, I was only able to stay in Luang Prabang for a couple of nights because I had an additional stop and I was already on day 19 of my day 30 visa (time flies!).

After the unforgettable experiences in Vang Vieng, my journey took me to Luang Prabang, where I could only spend a couple of nights, as my 30-day visa was ticking away. This city, the vibrant heart of northern Laos, brims with attractions, even for short visits like mine. My exploration began with the surreal Kuang Si Waterfall, where a spontaneous hike led to a raft ride near the top of the waterfall. Hidden away in the depths of the jungle was a private oasis, where I got to swim in some pristine waters.

The night market here was a lively extravaganza, with food, music, and serendipitous reunions with friends from the waterfall visit. Though the night was young, I retired early to witness a profound tradition the next morning—the daily alms offerings. Rooted in the Buddhist practice of making merit, this ceremony sees monks from local temples walk through the town every morning, receiving donations, primarily food, from the community. This timeless ritual, dating back centuries, fosters a connection between the spiritual and lay community and is a soul-stirring experience worth an early rise.

Nong Khiaw: Adventure at the Border

Nong Khiaw, a tiny village near Vietnam’s border, was the grand finale of my Laos journey. I stumbled into an adventure outlet, and signed up for a two-day, overnight jungle trek, which quickly became a cherished memory of the trip. Staying in a local village, I was welcomed by playful children who adored playing with my camera. They even bid me an adorable farewell on the outskirts of the village the following morning.

The trek was filled with experiences – hiking through lush rice fields, admiring beautiful vistas, enjoying riverboat rides, swimming in waterfalls, kayaking, savoring a local dish, and visiting more villages. These jam-packed two days turned into an extraordinary experience, a thrilling decision I’ll forever be grateful for, which perfectly rounded off my Laotian month.

Lodging Overview: Places to Stay

Total cost: $506.91 for 27 nights, or $18.75/day.

With each room being private, I found the most bang for my buck in the charming havens of Vang Vieng and Nong Khiaw.

Below is a breakout of my cost in each location.

Understanding the cost to travel to Laos means discovering a harmonious blend of comfort and budget-friendly options.

On the Move: Navigating Laos

Total cost: $150.68 for 28 days, or $5.38/day.

Navigating the cost to travel to Laos is made simple with their new train line connecting major locations and accessible online platforms like 12GO. If you’re traveling overland from Thailand like I did, you may pay a steep price from the border to Vientiane. I also got ripped off getting a taxi to a local hike in Vang Vieng (I recommend renting a motorbike if you feel comfortable!).

Here’s some highlights of my transportation budget

Food Explorations: Laos’ Flavors

Total cost: $174.25 for 28 days, or $6.22/day.

The cost to travel to Laos doesn’t compromise on flavor; despite its simplicity, the local cuisine is bursting with taste. The most variety I experienced was during the Luang Prabang night market, where there were tons of food stalls to choose from. This was also the most expensive location foodwise, where I spent $10/day. The cheapest was in Vang Vieng at $4-6/day.

Some must-tries:

• Laap: A meat salad, best paired with a refreshing Beerlao.
• Mok Pa: Fish steamed in banana leaves.
• Tam Mak Houng: A spicy papaya salad.

Experiences & Miscellaneous: Adventure and Necessities

Total cost: $294.21 for 28 days, or $10.51/day.

As you tally up the cost to travel to Laos, make sure to include a budget for experiences. It’s the adventures and activities that really make the trip memorable. The largest expenses of this budget went towards my hot air balloon ride at $120 and the overnight jungle trek at $44. Museums, temples, and cave entries were about $1.5 per entry. Rock climbing in Vang Vieng was $25 for 3-4 hours (they gave me a 30% discount for some other sessions that I did. Winning!). And visiting Kuang Si Waterfall was $6 for transit and the entrance fee.

For the mundane but necessary: laundry was a mere $2, haircuts $3, and hygiene products just part of the journey.

Conclusion: Uncover the Unseen

Laos, with its hidden treasures and soulful experiences, taught me that some of the world’s most extraordinary adventures can be found in the most unassuming places. If you’re wondering about the cost to travel to Laos, with just $40 per day, I uncovered the breathtaking landscapes, vibrant traditions, and thrilling experiences that this gem had to offer. But what I took home was priceless. If you’re yearning for a destination that’s as enriching as it’s economical, let Laos be your next stop.

Embrace the unknown, savor the authentic, and embark on an adventure that’ll stay with you long after you return home. Curious about traveling the world? Find all you need to know about preparing for a globe-trotting adventure here.