Laos is one of those countries that gets bypassed by travellers rushing between Thailand and Vietnam, and that’s a crying shame. It’s slower, quieter, and in many ways more genuinely Southeast Asian than its more visited neighbours. We spent time in the south doing the Pakse Loop – a motorcycle route through the Bolaven Plateau that threw everything at us including waterfalls, coffee plantations, hill tribe villages, and one or two moments where things definitely didn’t go to plan. We loved every minute of it.
How much does Laos cost?
Laos is one of the cheapest countries in Southeast Asia. We averaged around £20–30 a day for two people, covering accommodation, food, transport and activities. Guesthouses cost £8–15 per room per night. A bowl of noodle soup from a local restaurant under a pound. Beer Lao (genuinely the best SE Asia beer) costs around 40–60p a bottle in most places. The main cost is transport if tha’s doing motorcycle loops or renting scooters, but even that is very affordable by Western standards.
We booked accommodation as we went using Booking.com in larger towns and found options on arrival in smaller villages. For getting to Laos and travelling between countries, 12go Asia is the best platform for comparing and booking buses and trains across the region.
Where we went
Pakse and the Bolaven Plateau – The highlight of our Laos trip. The Pakse Loop is a 3–4 day motorcycle circuit through the Bolaven Plateau that takes in some of Laos’s most spectacular waterfalls (Tad Fane and Tad Yuang are both extraordinary), coffee and tea plantations, and villages of the Katu hill tribe. We had our fair share of smooth moments and not-so-smooth ones. Read the full honest account below.
Vientiane– Laos’s capital is one of the most relaxed capital cities in the world. More village than metropolis, with proper French colonial architecture, a beautiful Mekong riverside, and enough temples and markets to fill a couple of days without trying too hard.
Luang Prabang – The jewel of Laos. A UNESCO-protected former royal capital at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. Alms-giving ceremonies at dawn, night markets selling excellent food, waterfalls a short tuk-tuk ride away. Genuinely one of the most beautiful small cities in Asia.
Getting around Laos on a budget
Songthaews (shared pickup trucks with benches in the back) are the main local transport and cost very little. For longer distances, buses cover the main routes affordably — book through 12go Asia. The slow boat down the Mekong from the Thai border to Luang Prabang is a classic — two days on the river, genuinely beautiful, and not expensive. Renting a scooter or motorbike for loops like the Pakse route costs around £10–15 per day.
When to go
November to February is the dry season and the most comfortable time to travel, warm but not sweltering, and the roads are passable. March to May gets very hot. June to October is monsoon season. Some roads become difficult and waterfalls are spectacular, but trails can be muddy and risky on a motorbike.
Our Laos posts — start here
Discover Don Som (4000 Islands): A Hidden Gem in Laos
If you want to proper get off the beaten path in Laos, you NEED to check out Don Som in the 4000 islands. This is Laos as I would have imagined it 20 years ago – just on a small scale.
How We Spent Under £50 Each Per Day in Asia: 6 Months for £5000!
We’re 6 months into our gallivant around the globe and we have yet to spend over our daily budget! Here’s our cost breakdown per country and things we could’ve been stingier with.
Guide to the Bolaven Loop: Hidden Gems & Adventures
Off the beaten track in Laos. The Bolaven loop has stunning waterfalls, a lot of coffee beans, and knowledge into the Katu tribe. Is it worth it ? This is our not so smooth experience.