Adjust your travel style, trip length and group size to get a realistic daily and total budget breakdown β in your currency.
Laos is one of Southeast Asia's most affordable destinations β here's what your money actually gets you.
Budget ($8β25): Fan room in a guesthouse, shared bathroom, basic WiFi. Perfectly comfortable.
Mid-range ($40β100): Air-con boutique hotel, private bathroom, pool access, breakfast sometimes included.
Luxury ($200β700): Rosewood, Amantaka, or Aman β world-class by any standard.
Street food ($2β5/meal): Khao Jee baguettes, noodle soup, grilled skewers β genuinely delicious.
Local restaurants ($5β12): Sit-down meals with full Lao dishes, Beer Lao included.
Fine dining ($20β60): Tamarind, MakPhet, Rosewood restaurant β tasting menus and riverside settings.
Laos-China Railway: Vientiane β Luang Prabang for $8. Fastest and most comfortable option.
Local buses ($3β15): Slow but cheap between major cities. Night buses available.
Slow boat ($25β35): 2-day Mekong journey from the Thai border to Luang Prabang. An experience in itself.