Is Vietnam or Laos cheaper?

Is Laos expensive for tourists?

Laos? Cheap as chips, mate! Compared to, say, Switzerland? It’s practically giving away free massages! Seriously, I spent less on a week in Luang Prabang than on a single night out in London.

But, hold your horses. Inflation hit Laos like a runaway tuk-tuk, prices, especially hotels, skyrocketed faster than my blood pressure after a spicy Lao sausage. Doubled? Tripled? Yeah, in some spots it’s insane.

Still, for a short trip? Peanuts! Think:

• Street food cheaper than a cup of coffee back home.
• Accommodation ranging from hostels costing a pittance to surprisingly swanky places (relatively speaking).
• Transportation – riding elephants might cost more than a bus, but that’s a choice.
• Beer Lao – way cheaper than a fancy craft brew. I drank like a fish!

Compared to:

• Thailand: Laos wins on the quiet vibes, loses on the sheer volume of cheap stuff.
• Vietnam: Similar price range, but Vietnam is busier, more chaotic, much more hustle.
• Cambodia: Cambodia’s got Angkor Wat, Laos has… well, stunning landscapes. Tough call.

Bottom line: Cheapish. But not dirt cheap. Especially hotels. My friend Sarah paid through the nose for a “luxury” riverside bungalow. It was nice, but still, ouch! I stayed in a perfectly decent guesthouse nearby, way cheaper!

Should I go to Laos or Vietnam?

Laos or Vietnam? Uh, I keep turning it over and over.

Vietnam is… brighter, I guess. More noise. More people. More everything. Think about Hanoi, those scooters… So many.

Laos… Laos feels quieter. A slower breath. Reminds me a little of my grandma’s village. Less polished maybe. Is it what I need?

• Vietnam is bustling:
  • Development is obvious
  • Crowds are unavoidable.
• Laos is tranquil:
  • Buddhism profoundly shapes the culture.
  • The pace of life is gentle, much more relaxing.
• The Lao hold different values:
  • They are more in tune with the land.
  • A more spiritual existence maybe?
• Vietnam is a different beast:
  • Always charging forward.
  • Always something to do, somewhere to be. I can’t keep thinking. What’s better isn’t the point. It all depends, yeah? What do I need? The question hurts. What do I even want?

How much money should I bring to Laos?

Laos. Money. Thirty dollars daily. Minimum.

• Accommodation: Varies wildly. Budget accordingly.
• Food: Street eats cheap. Restaurants, more.
• Transport: Buses affordable. Internal flights, pricey.

Luxury? Double that. Easily.

Trekking: Add fifty. Per day.

2024 prices. Inflation. Always.

My last trip cost me considerably more. I underestimated. Always underestimate.

Personal experience. Useful? Doubtful. Plan better than I did.

Bring more cash. ATMs limited. Fees high. Credit cards? Forget it. Rural Laos especially.

Remember: Unexpected expenses. Always.

What is the average daily cost in Laos?

Okay, Laos. Vientiane, 2023… hmm.

I went there last year. Solo trip. My daily cost? Completely unpredictable!

I’d say I spent… wow. Less than I thought.

• Accommodation: Guesthouses, super cheap, like $5-7 a night.
• Food: Street food! Banh mi and noodle soups. $3 max per meal. Beer Lao’s cheap, too!
• Transport: Tuk-tuks. Bargain hard. $10 max for a whole day?

One day, I blew $30 on a fancy dinner near the Mekong. Cocktails! Other days, $10 covered everything.

$15 a day is doable if you are thrifty. Easily.

Touristy Luang Prabang? More expensive, definitely. Expect to pay double or more. It is a pretty town.

It depends on your choices. Seriously. You can definitely do it on the cheap if you’re smart.

How much money do I need per day in Laos?

Okay, so Laos, huh? Money-wise… Hmm.

Listen, for super cheap, like really scraping by, think $7 a day. That’s all street food. You’d need to be careful.

But honestly, $15 is way better. Gives you wiggle room for, like, proper meals and maybe an occasional Beerlao.

Seriously tho, you could spend even more if you wanted. I went to Luang Prabang in October 2023, and some days I blew way more. I’m talking $30, easy.

• $7: Bare minimum. Street food only, hostels.
• $15: Comfortable backpacker. Decent food, cheap guesthouse.
• $30+: If you want Western food, nicer hotels, and tours. Like I did!

And that’s not even including, like, flights, visas, or shopping. So yeah, keep that in mind, too. Lol.

Is Laos expensive to travel?

Sun bleeds gold onto dusty streets. Vientiane. 2024. Cheap beer. Not Thailand prices. Not Vietnam. Cambodia maybe closer. But different. Dust and gold. Motorbikes whisper. Kip, the currency, a flutter of paper. Like leaves. So many zeroes. Makes you feel rich. A millionaire on backpacker’s change. Food stalls smoky, fragrant. A feast for pennies. Baguette from the French ghosts. Strong coffee, dark as secrets. River slow, Mekong. Time stretches. Days melt. Cost of living low. Cost of existing, even lower.

• Affordable even in 2024. Post-pandemic world, still cheap.
• Food is inexpensive. Noodle soups. Sticky rice. Mangoes.
• Beer is a bargain. Laos is known for Beerlao.
• Accommodation varies. Hostels for dollars. Guesthouses a little more. Luxury exists, but why?
• Transport is cheap. Buses bounce. Boats drift.
• Activities surprisingly accessible. Temples. Waterfalls. Elephant sanctuaries (choose wisely). The price of wonder.

A slow unraveling. This is Laos.

Is Laos the cheapest country?

Cheap? Debatable. Laos is budget-friendly, not rock-bottom. Think Vietnam, Cambodia… sometimes cheaper. Thailand? Pricier than Laos. Your mileage may vary. Depends how you travel. I spent $30 a day in Luang Prabang back in ’23… mostly street food and beer.

• Budget: Expect $25-50/day in Laos (2024).
• Cheaper Alternatives: Consider Vietnam, Cambodia.
• More Expensive: Thailand, usually.
• My 2023 Trip (Luang Prabang): $30/day, street food and local beer.
• Key Factor: Spending habits. Flashpacker vs. backpacker. Big difference.
• Flights: Check Skyscanner, Google Flights (2024 data).
• Accommodation: Hostels plentiful. Guesthouses too.
• Food: Street food’s your friend. Restaurant meals cost more, obviously.
• Activities: Temples often free. Trekking, kayaking? Costs extra.
• Visas: Check current visa requirements (2024). Things change. They always do.