How expensive is Laos to visit?

How much should I budget for a trip to Laos?

Laos, huh? Seven days of blissful chaos!

Budgeteers: $500-$800. You’ll be practically living on sticky rice… which, let’s be honest, isn’t that bad. Think backpacker chic meets “I found this amazing street food.”

Mid-range adventurers: $800-$1500. Upgrading from “dorm room” to “actual room with a door.” Maybe even a fan. Fancy!

Luxury lads: $1500+. Look, are we talking private villas with infinity pools, or just really, really good massages every day? Either way, enjoy your existential crisis about wealth disparity.

Factors to consider:

• Accommodation: Hostels? Boutique hotels? Decisions, decisions.
• Transportation: Tuk-tuks are your friend, unless you’re feeling brave enough to rent a motorbike. Good luck with that.
• Activities: Temple hopping? Waterfall chasing? Elephant… observing?
• Dining: Street food versus fancy restaurants. How adventurous are you, really?

You could find yourself haggling over a dollar for some spring rolls while simultaneously debating whether to drop $200 on a cooking class, maybe. It’s all part of the charm! I have a very charming, yet incredibly useless, collection of fridge magnets from my Southeast Asia trip to remember.

Is Laos cheap for tourists?

Laos: Cheap? Pshaw, darling, it’s practically highway robbery… if the highwaymen were handing you money. Temples? Free. Stunning scenery? On the house. Noodles that’ll make you weep with joy? Pocket change.

• Food: A delicious bowl of khao soi for less than the price of a mediocre coffee back home. I practically felt guilty. Almost.
• Accommodation: Hostels cheaper than a night in my own closet (and possibly more spacious). Luxury digs? Still a steal compared to, say, Monaco. Though why you’d want luxury in Laos, I can’t fathom. The charm’s in the rough edges, darling.
• Activities: Kayaking down the Mekong? Check. Exploring caves stuffed with Buddha statues? Check. Hiking through rice paddies? Double-check. And all for the price of a couple of fancy lattes.

I once haggled a tuk-tuk driver down to a price so low he paid me to ride with him. (Okay, not really. But close.) My bank account actually grew while I was there. It was unsettling. I’m now convinced Laos is some kind of magical money-generating portal disguised as a Southeast Asian country. My theory? Leprechauns. Lots of leprechauns. Don’t tell anyone.

The secret’s out. Blame me later when everyone floods the place. Just, please, leave some noodles for me. I’m heading back as soon as I can convince my cat, Mr. Fluffernutter III, to sit still long enough for me to pack. He’s quite the diva.

How much should I budget for a trip to Laos?

Luang Prabang, 2023. Sticky heat. Tuk-tuk scams. Noodles, so many noodles. Spent, like, $600 in a week. Crazy, right? Stayed in a guesthouse, $15 a night. Basic, but clean. Free bananas! Drank Beerlao every day. Maybe two. Okay, three. Kuang Si Falls. Worth it. Skipped the fancy restaurants. Street food is king. Seriously. Almost missed my flight back to Bangkok. Visa on arrival, easy peasy. Don’t change money at the border. Rip-off.

• $15/night guesthouse.
• Beerlao essential.
• Kuang Si Falls – Go.
• Street food all the way.
• Visa on arrival no problem.
• Don’t change money at the border.

Bargaining is a must. Everything’s negotiable. Even tuk-tuks. Learned that the hard way. First day. Overpaid. Ugh. Sunrise over the Mekong. Magical. So many temples. Gold. Everywhere gold. Got blessed by a monk. Good luck for the year, maybe. Hope so. Met a girl from Canada. Traveled together for a few days. Lost her number. Damn. Hot air balloon ride. Pricey, but you see everything. Definitely coming back next year.

Is Laos cheap for tourists?

Okay, so Laos? Cheap? Dude, yeah! Laos is totally affordable for tourists. Like, seriously cheap.

I mean, think about it: temples, waterfalls, the Mekong River… and loads of stuff is basically free. I spent, like, next to nothing when I went in 2023. I think?

• Accommodation: Hostels are dirt cheap, often under $10 a night. Guesthouses are also super reasonable, sometimes even less.
• Food: Street food is where it’s at. Noodle soup for a buck? Yes, please! Restaurants are still cheaper than back home tho.
• Transport: Buses are slow, but cheap. Tuk-tuks you gotta haggle.
• Activities: Depends, but hiking is free, exploring temples is usually cheap.

Of course, some things cost more. Like, say, the Plain of Jars tour, which i really wanna do when I go this winter. It’s a guided thing. Or that river cruise I heard about? Prob more than I want to spend. Still, it’s generally cheaper than Thailand or Vietnam, I reckon.

And don’t forgot the beer! Beerlao is cheap and delicious, like two bucks. I had like 3 a day, and the next thing you know I was waking up in that crazy hostel! Also, the coffee is so good there, way way better than Starbucks. I brought, like, 10 pounds home last time I went.

Plus, if you’re good at haggling, you can bring down almost anything. It’s not, like, expected, but it’s def part of the culture there. Just sayin’. So yeah, Laos is cheap. You should totally go, like, now. I’m pretty sure you will like it!

Should I bring USD to Laos?

Bringing USD to Laos? A solid idea. While the Lao Kip reigns supreme officially, USD enjoys surprising acceptance, particularly in tourist hubs. It’s, like, a backup, you know?

• Vientiane & Luang Prabang: These cities make exchanging currency convenient.

• GBP Conversion: Yep, even British Pounds can be swapped relatively easily. Makes me think about globalization, doesn’t it?

• Licensed shops & banks: These locations are your go-to spots.

Carrying some USD isn’t mandatory, but it is convenient. Reminds me of packing extra socks; you likely won’t need them, but oh boy if you do! I usually overpack things anyway.

Note that smaller towns might not be too keen on USD though. So, having a mix of Kip for smaller purchases is wise. And well, the official currency will give you the best rates. It is always like that, isn’t it?

Banks often offer better rates than those tourist-centered exchange booths. Do a comparison. I check a bunch before committing.

Should I bring cash to Laos?

Sun bleeds gold onto dusty streets. Kip slips through fingers like sand. Ghosts of forgotten empires. Dollars crisp, new. A familiar comfort. A weight in the pocket. Vientiane shimmering. Heat haze blurring temples. Money changing hands. The whisper of Kip. Luang Prabang whispers too. Mekong flowing. Time flowing. Dollars exchanged. For experiences. For sticky rice. For the scent of frangipani. River boats glide. A slow dance. Sun-drenched memories. Dollars and Kip. A dance of currencies. Dust motes in golden light. The weight of the past. The promise of now.

• Bring USD: Conveniently accepted.
• Exchange in cities: Vientiane. Luang Prabang. Licensed shops. Banks readily available.
• Kip: Official currency. Feels like silk.
• My last trip: October 2024. River dolphins at dawn. Unforgettable. Paid in Kip and dollars. Both useful.
• Remember: Small denominations of USD preferred.
• Pro-tip: Negotiate exchange rates. A subtle art. A smile goes a long way.

What is the best currency to take to Laos?

Ugh, Laos trip planning. Currency, right? US dollars, definitely. Small bills, like ones and fives. Easier for everyone. Don’t want to get stuck with a huge wad of cash.

Then there’s Kip. The local stuff. Need that in rural areas. But seriously, it’s useless anywhere else. Exchange receipts! Absolutely vital. Losing that means losing money. I lost my receipts in Vietnam once… nightmare. Never again.

Remember to check exchange rates before you go, though. Rates change constantly. It’s 2024, and this is what I’m doing for my Laos trip next month. Might take some extra USD just in case, you know? Better safe than sorry. Plus, I’m thinking about bringing my travel credit card. It has good foreign transaction fees. My friend Sarah used hers in Thailand last year and said the fees were reasonable.

• US Dollars: Essential, small denominations.
• Lao Kip: Necessary for rural areas. Keep exchange receipts!
• Credit Card: Consider a travel credit card with low foreign transaction fees.
• Exchange Rates: Check current rates before your trip.

So yeah. That’s it. Don’t forget your passport! I almost forgot that last time. Silly me. Laos trip’s gonna be awesome. I’ve already booked a trek to Kuang Si Falls – super excited.

What is the best currency to use in Laos?

Laos uses the Kip, naturally. Think Monopoly money, but prettier. Notes come in denominations fit for a (very frugal) millionaire.

But shhh, the secret weapon? US Dollars.

They’re like the universal remote of Southeast Asia. Accepted almost everywhere, it seems. Bring some along.

Why? Kip’s useful, but dollars are power. Like having a cheat code in a video game, lol.

• Kip: Official, charmingly low value.
• USD: Widely accepted, incredibly convenient.
• Denominations: From 500 to 100,000 Kip notes. Imagine counting all that!
• My tip? Small bills in USD are your friend. No one likes breaking a $100 for a bottle of water.

It’s 2024, and cash is still king in parts of Laos. Forget your credit card, bring paper. I learned that the hard way. Seriously.

Is Laos or Vietnam cheaper?

Laos. Cheaper. Fact.

Vietnam? Tourist traps. More expensive.

Accommodation: Laos wins. Hands down. My guesthouse in Luang Prabang, 2023: $8 a night. Luxury? Vietnam.

Food: Street food? Laos. Delicious. Cheap. Think sticky rice, larb. Vietnam’s pho? Overrated. Tourist prices.

Transport: Buses? Laos. Local buses: dirt cheap. Scenic. Vietnam: more modern, more expensive.

Imported Goods: Tie. Both countries import. Expect similar prices. Don’t expect bargains.

Alcohol: Expensive everywhere. Avoid. Drink water. Better for your liver.

In short: Budget traveler? Laos. No contest. Unless you crave overpriced coffee. Then, Vietnam.

Is it cheaper to go to Laos or Vietnam?

Laos vs. Vietnam cost…hmmm.

Is Laos cheaper? Nah. Vietnam is cheaper, I’m pretty sure. Remember that amazing banh mi I got for, like, a dollar last year in Hanoi? Good times.

• Transport in Laos kills your wallet.
• Remote areas cost more. Duh.

Ugh, I still need to book a flight to Luang Prabang for my dad’s bday. Is it really already November? Wow. Time flies.

Laos and Vietnam…both affordable! I guess.

Food and hotels…similar prices? Maybe. Vietnam = more cheap choices, though, right? Like, street food heaven.

• Budget better in Vietnam.
• Laos transport prices are insane.

Should I text Minh? He’s been to both. Wait, no, he only went to Vietnam. Stupid memory. Okay, need coffee. Strong coffee.