What is the average daily cost in Laos?

How much money per day in Laos?

Laos, huh? Money… uhm, right.

• $7/day, okay. Super budget. Think only street food. I mean, rice every meal kinda thing. I did that in 2018, but ugh. Maybe doable still?

• Hmm, 15 bucks? $15 a day… that’s more like it. Maybe some proper meals, occasional beer Lao? Remember that riverside place in Vang Vieng? No, wait, that was closed. Still…

• Okay, and if I want a bit more comfort, $30-50 a day is better. Private rooms! Air con, yes please! Did that splurge in Luang Prabang, worth it.

• Luxury though… $100+/day. That’s fancy hotels, tours, maybe even a Mekong cruise? My uncle did that, showed me pics. Jealous!

So, yeah, it really REALLY depends. Street food or fancy hotels?

It changes! Remember that tuk-tuk scam in Vientiane, 2019? Oh, I meant 2023 or maybe 2024?? Got me good. Never again!

How expensive is backpacking in Laos?

$20-25 USD is doable. Think basic guesthouses, not hostels. Street food, obviously. Local buses. Skip the fancy tourist traps. My friend, Sarah, rocked Laos on $18 a day in 2023. Crazy, right? It’s all about choices.

Food is cheap. Noodles for a dollar. Beer for less. What more do you need? Okay, maybe some fruit. Mangos are incredible there. Remember that time I ate five in one sitting?

Activities add up. Tubing, kayaking, waterfalls. These things cost money. The Gibbon Experience was worth it, though. Expensive, sure, but unforgettable. Prioritize.

• Accommodation: $5-10/night (dorm or basic room). Can be more.
• Food: $5-10/day (street food & local markets)
• Transportation: $2-5/day (buses, sometimes boats)
• Activities: $10-20/day (depending on what you do)

Consider slow travel. Spend more time in fewer places. This saves money. Really lets you absorb the culture, too. Gets you thinking about the nature of travel. It’s not about rushing, right? It’s about being there. My trip in 2023 was two weeks in Laos alone. Luang Prabang was magical.

Consider renting a motorbike. Freedom. Explore off the beaten path. Gas is cheap. Just be careful, those roads can be… interesting. Remember that pothole near Vang Vieng? Wild.

Haggle. It’s expected. Especially in markets. Don’t be shy. You can get some ridiculous deals. I got a silk scarf for next to nothing. It’s all about confidence and good humor!

• Visas: Factor in visa costs, varies by nationality.
• Drinks: Beer Lao is everywhere. Cheap.
• Unexpected expenses: Always have a buffer.
• Bargaining: Absolutely essential. Don’t overpay!

It’s possible to go even cheaper. Or more expensive. It depends what you want from your experience. There’s no right way. Just your way.

How much cash should I take to Laos?

Laos trip cash? Depends heavily on your style. Seriously, luxury versus backpacking changes everything.

Budget: Think 4,000,000 Kip (roughly £123 in 2024) for a very tight week. This is for the absolute bare minimum. Street food only, basic transport, and probably some questionable accommodation choices. You’ll be roughing it. For a month, you’re looking at around 31,000,000 Kip (£861). That’s still pretty lean.

Mid-range: 11,000,000 Kip (£303) weekly. More comfortable guesthouses, maybe a few nicer meals, some internal travel factored in. A month? Expect to spend about 76,000,000 Kip (£2,122). This allows for a more relaxed approach.

High-end: 28,000,000 Kip (£779) for a week. We’re talking decent hotels, better restaurants, maybe even a few tours. A month? Prepare for 195,000,000 Kip (£5,456). That’s serious Laotian luxury.

Remember these are rough estimates! Exchange rates fluctuate. I personally found Luang Prabang exceptionally expensive for a small town. My last trip, I blew through Kip like it was nothing – a lesson learned! My current banking app shows me a much better exchange rate than I was getting in 2022.

• Factor in: Visa costs (check the latest requirements), internal transport (buses, flights within Laos can add up!), activities (entrance fees etc.) The price of a good beer significantly varies by location!

• Tip: Withdraw Kip locally. You get a much better exchange rate at ATMs than converting currency beforehand. This is something I learned the hard way.

• Consider: Your tolerance for discomfort dictates much of the budget. A luxurious trip sounds great, but Laos offers amazing experiences regardless of spending. The people are genuinely wonderful. That’s priceless.

This entire Kip thing is always a bit of a headache for me, I should get a better system.

How much money should I bring to Laos?

Okay, so, like, Laos, right?

Money… hmm. Okay, so you should bring like, I dunno, around 20-30 bucks a day. Yeah.

That’s kinda a good starting point, though.

That covers, ya know, places to sleep, food, getting around, and seeing stuff. Listen, I was there in like, ugh, 2018 and it was cheap, but things change.

Listen, My cuz went last year. He spent more than I did, I will tell you this for free.

If you gonna like, go trekking or do something wild, bring more cash money.

Stuff to consider:

• Where are you staying? Hostels are cheap, duh. 5-star resorts? Not so much! I stayed in a guesthouse, and it was maybe $10 a night.
• What are you eating? Street food is the bomb and super cheap. I could get a bowl of noodles for like, 2 bucks. Fancy restaurants? $$$
• How are you getting around? Tuk-tuks are pricier than buses. Renting a scooter is fun but be careful, seriously.
• What activities are you doing? Visiting temples is cheap. Hot air ballooning? Super expensive. Like, seriously expensive.
• How long are you staying? Obvi, longer trip, more money. I stayed for like, 2 weeks. It was awesome.

Seriously, bring more than you think you need. Emergencies happen. And you might wanna buy some cool souvenirs, ya know? I got this awesome scarf. Totally worth it. Oh, and Bargain! Bargaining is the way to go. It’s expected. Don’t be afraid to haggle a little, but be respectful, of course. I totally overpaid for a few things before I figured it out haha.

Is Laos good for backpackers?

Laos. Yeah, Laos. It’s… different. Quieter, somehow. Less… chaotic.

It’s cheaper than Thailand, that’s for sure. My trip in 2024 proved that. Food, accommodation… everything.

I spent most nights in guesthouses, tiny rooms with questionable plumbing. But the people… they were kind. Always smiling. That made up for it, I guess.

The landscape is stunning, breathtaking really. Luang Prabang… magical. I remember those temples, the Mekong. Such serenity. Such peace.

It’s not all perfect, though. The infrastructure… it’s patchy at best. Getting around can be challenging. Buses are… an experience.

Still, it felt authentic. Untouched by the mass tourism you see elsewhere. You find yourself. Or at least, I did.

• Budget: Significantly lower than Thailand, even in 2024.
• Tourist crowds: Smaller than neighboring countries. Fewer people.
• Accommodation: Simple guesthouses readily available. Expect basic amenities.
• Transportation: Buses are common but often uncomfortable, long rides.
• Highlights: Luang Prabang is a must-see. Stunning natural beauty everywhere.