Laos Backpacking Budget 2026
How much does it actually cost to travel Laos? Full daily budget breakdown covering Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, the 4000 Islands and the legendary Mekong slow boat.
Daily Budget Tiers
Guesthouses, local Lao food, slow boats, tuk tuks
Comfortable guesthouses, restaurants, tours and activities
Boutique hotels, restaurants, private tours
Laos Price Guide 2026
| Item | LAK | GBP approx. |
|---|---|---|
| Guesthouse (basic private room) | 50,000-100,000 LAK | £1.85-3.70 |
| Guesthouse (AC, en-suite) | 150,000-250,000 LAK | £5.55-9.25 |
| Noodle soup (street stall) | 15,000-30,000 LAK | £0.55-1.10 |
| Sticky rice + larb (local) | 20,000-40,000 LAK | £0.74-1.48 |
| Restaurant meal (tourist area) | 50,000-120,000 LAK | £1.85-4.45 |
| BeerLao (local bottle) | 15,000-25,000 LAK | £0.55-0.93 |
| BeerLao (bar or restaurant) | 25,000-45,000 LAK | £0.93-1.67 |
| Tuk tuk (short ride) | 20,000-50,000 LAK | £0.74-1.85 |
| Slow boat: Luang Prabang to Huay Xai (2 days) | 250,000-350,000 LAK | £9.25-13 |
| Bus: Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng | 100,000-150,000 LAK | £3.70-5.55 |
| Bus: Vang Vieng to Vientiane | 60,000-100,000 LAK | £2.20-3.70 |
| Kuang Si waterfall entry | 20,000 LAK | £0.74 |
| Tubing in Vang Vieng | 55,000 LAK | £2 |
| Elephant sanctuary (half day) | 300,000-500,000 LAK | £11-18.50 |
| Tourist SIM (30 days) | 50,000-80,000 LAK | £1.85-3 |
| Domestic flight (Lao Airlines) | 800,000-1,500,000 LAK | £29.60-55.50 |
Cost Breakdown by Category
Visa
E-visa available at laoevisa.gov.la, $35 USD for 30 days. Visa on arrival also available at major land borders and Vientiane airport. Some nationalities visa-free.
SIM Card
Unitel or Lao Telecom tourist SIM, around 50,000-80,000 LAK (~£2-3) for 30 days data. Signal is good in cities but patchy in remote areas.
Top Destinations
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to backpack Laos for a month?
Laos is one of the cheapest countries in Southeast Asia. A budget backpacker can travel for £350-500 per month (9,450,000-13,500,000 LAK). Accommodation is extremely cheap, local food costs less than £1 a meal, and transport by bus or slow boat is inexpensive. Mid-range travellers should budget £650-1,100 per month.
Do I need a visa to visit Laos?
Most nationalities need a visa for Laos. An e-visa costs $35 USD and is available at laoevisa.gov.la, valid for 30 days. Visa on arrival is also available at Vientiane Wattay International Airport and major land border crossings. Citizens of Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and some ASEAN countries are visa-exempt.
Is Laos cheaper than Thailand?
Yes, Laos is generally cheaper than Thailand, particularly for accommodation and food. A basic guesthouse room can cost under £2, and local meals are under £1. However, imported goods and alcohol are more expensive than in Thailand. Internal transport is also slower and less developed, which extends journey times and adds to overall trip costs.
What is the slow boat in Laos?
The Mekong slow boat is a classic backpacker experience in Laos: a two-day journey by wooden cargo boat between Luang Prabang and Huay Xai (near the Thai border), travelling along the Mekong River through jungle and remote villages. The journey costs around 250,000-350,000 LAK (£9-13) and includes stops at the Pak Beng village overnight. Budget boats are basic but the scenery is spectacular.
What is the best app for tracking a Laos travel budget?
BudgetBro lets you track expenses in Lao Kip alongside Thai Baht or US Dollars (also widely used in Laos), set a daily budget and get instant AI insights. It works offline when you are in remote areas with no data. Free on iOS and Android.
Track Your Laos Budget with BudgetBro
Log expenses in Lao Kip or US Dollars, set a daily limit, and ask your AI companion how you are tracking. Works offline. Free on iOS and Android.