With its breathtaking mountain scenerys, bright green rice fields and fascinating temples Laos is one of the most beautiful countries in Southeast Asia. Laos is still a country that is less frequently visited by tourists than its neighbors Thailand or Vietnam. The result: no overcrowded tourist spots and low prices, which can make traveling much more relaxed. But how much do you actually need to budget for a backpacking trip to Laos?
In this article, I’ll break down all my expenses during a 4 week trip. From the cost of accomodations to everyday expenses like bus tickets and meals, I’ll give you a detailed overview of what I spent. This guide will help you understand the typical costs for a Laos Backpacking Adventure and decide how much money to set aside for an unforgettable journey through Laos.
Overview
- Accommodations
- Transportation
- Scooter
- Food & Drinks
- Activities
- Others
- Total
- Cost Overview
- How much should you budget?
Accommodations
Overall, I spent 120€ on hostels and Guesthouses in Laos. In some rural areas there are only Guesthouses instead of Hostels. They are a bit more expensive than a Hostel but still cheap. A good hostel typically costs between 2 – 5€ per night, depending on how popular a destination is. Usually breakfast isn’t included in this price.
Transportation
My total transportation expenses in Laos amounted to 65€. This includes everything from buses and taxis. For short distances you can get a TukTuk for 2-4€. The Taxi App Grab isn’t working in Laos (at least back in 2023) but TukTuks are really cheap there.
Bus prices vary depending on the duration and distance of the trip, typically costs are between 5 – 10€.
Scooter
I spent a total of 85€ on scooter rentals in Laos. This includes the rental of the scooter, the fuel costs and the parking costs. Typically, renting a scooter for 24 hours costs between 5 – 10€.
Food & Drinks
During my stay in Laos, I spent a total of 135€ on food and drinks. This mainly includes local meals at cheap restaurants, food and snacks from supermarkets, fruits from the market, bottled water and Smoothies.
Activities
I spent a total of 50€ on activities and entrance fees to waterfalls, caves and viewpoints. This also includes a 2-Day and 1-Night Trekking Tour in Nong Khiaw for 30€ including food and accomodation.
Entrance fees for waterfalls, caves and other attractions usually range from 0,50€ – 1,50€ if they’re on the cheaper side. For some attractions, you might also spend more.
Others
On other things I spent 70€. This included a SIM card, my visa (40€), doing my laundry, going to the gym, ATM fees, personal expenses on cosmetics and other things.
Total
In total, I spent 525€ over 4 weeks in Laos on accommodations, food and drinks, activities, transportation, scooters and other things. This doesn’t include the flight or transportation to Laos and back home.
I was traveling as a budget backpacker: I stayed in dorm rooms at hostels, didn’t drink alcohol, and mostly ate local food. It’s definitely possible to travel even cheaper if you set different priorities, skip some activities, or visit fewer places. I tried to do and see as much as possible in four weeks and explored many different areas.
Cost Overview
Hostels: 120€
Transportation: 65€
Scooter: 85€
Food & Drinks: 135€
Activities: 50€
Others: 70€
Total: 525€
How much should you budget?
As you can see Laos is a good place to go to as a budget traveler. Everything there is really cheap, since it’s still a hidden place compared to Thailand. On average, I spent around 20-25€ per day and that’s also a good amount to plan for if you’re doing a budget backpacking trip in Laos.
However, your travel budget should always depend on your personal priorities and how long you plan to stay in Laos. For each week I’d recommend budgeting at least 250 – 300€. You might not end up spending the entire amount every week, but it’s always better to have some extra money for emergencies or unexpected expenses.
Please note: these are my expenses from 2023. Prices may have changed since then, so make sure to double-check and do your own research on the current situation.
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