Is Laos expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Laos is cheap by Western standards and similar to or slightly cheaper than Thailand and Vietnam for food and guesthouses. A budget traveller needs about ₭630,000 a day, mid-range about ₭1,550,000 and comfort about ₭4,200,000 per person. The kip has lost value fast in recent years, and many hotels and tours quote in US dollars.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | ₭200,000 | ₭600,000 | ₭2,000,000 |
| Food & drink | ₭250,000 | ₭500,000 | ₭1,000,000 |
| Sights & tickets | ₭80,000 | ₭200,000 | ₭600,000 |
| Local transport | ₭100,000 | ₭250,000 | ₭600,000 |
| Per person, per day | ₭630,000 | ₭1,550,000 | ₭4,200,000 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Laos day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Night-market buffet plate, Luang Prabang | about ₭20,000–30,000 |
| Bowl of khao piak sen (noodle soup) | about ₭25,000–40,000 |
| Large Beerlao | about ₭20,000–30,000 |
| Wat Xieng Thong entry | about ₭30,000 |
| Kuang Si Falls entry | about ₭60,000 |
| Bicycle rental, per day | ₭30,000–50,000 |
| Laos-China Railway, Luang Prabang–Vang Vieng, second class | roughly ₭200,000–250,000 |
| Hot-air balloon over Vang Vieng | about US$90–120 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Food and entry fees are cheap: temple tickets are around ₭30,000 and a market meal ₭20,000–40,000. The bigger costs are boutique hotels in Luang Prabang's restored wooden houses (₭900,000–2,000,000), activities such as balloon flights, kayaking and slow-boat trips, and transport, from train tickets to tuk-tuks that charge tourist prices. Western food and imported drinks cost far more than Lao dishes.
When it is cheaper
The rainy season (roughly June to October) brings lower hotel prices and discounts on tours, while November to February is the high season with the highest rates. Differences can be significant at boutique hotels.
How to spend less
- Eat at night markets and noodle stalls rather than riverside restaurants.
- Rent a bicycle in Luang Prabang instead of hiring tuk-tuks.
- Share tuk-tuks or minivans to Kuang Si and agree the price first.
- Book Laos-China Railway tickets early via the LCR app or at stations to avoid agent mark-ups.
- Pay in kip where possible; prices in dollars often round up.
- Drink Beerlao and Lao coffee rather than imported drinks.
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Common questions
Is Laos expensive?
No. It is one of the cheapest countries in Southeast Asia: about ₭630,000 a day on a budget and ₭1,550,000 mid-range.
Should I pay in kip or dollars in Laos?
Kip for food, tuk-tuks and markets; some hotels and tours quote in US dollars. The kip has lost value quickly, so check the current rate.
How much is the train in Laos?
Second-class seats on the Laos-China Railway from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng cost roughly ₭200,000–250,000; book early.