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Laos has just officially been named the cheapest country to travel to in 2025, and for good reason. Travelers can get by on just $15.40 per day, making it the most budget-friendly destination on the planet this year, according to HelloSafe. With accommodation from just $7 a night, meals for $2, and scooter rental at about $8, Laos offers unparalleled value without compromising on experience.
This Southeast Asian gem is a tranquil alternative to its more touristy neighbors like Thailand and Vietnam and offers a high concentration of culture, nature, and adventure at a fraction of the cost.
Travel in Laos on a budget (Source: secretretreats)
When one thinks of Southeast Asia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Bali are often the first things that come to mind. But in 2025, travel in Laos on a budget with equal beauty, culture, and adventure travel for a quarter of the price. If you wish to get more bang for your buck and still get the full taste of Asia, Laos is the winner hands down.
It costs 30–50% less to stay in Laos than in neighboring Thailand or Vietnam. While as much as $25–$35 a night may be the price for a budget hotel room in Hanoi, you receive a riverside bungalow or pleasant guesthouse in Laos for under $15. Even in popular tourist hub Luang Prabang, prices are low but not without sacrificing comfort and cleanliness.
Budget travel in Laos (Source: bamboohattours)
Activities are also affordable. Consider $35 cooking lessons in Chiang Mai compared to the same, more tailored lessons in Luang Prabang for $20-$25. Want to be adventurous? Go ziplining or kayaking for whole days from $15 in Laos, as other countries sell the same for $40+ and up.
Food prices are unbeatable. You can eat like a king for under $5 a day. Simultaneously, Bali and Phuket, now overwhelmed with tourists have seen prices rise for cafes and markets. Laos still offers authentic, delicious food without outrageous prices.
Cooking lessons in Chiang Mai (Source: PMTours)
Laos is a dream destination for a budget traveler. In Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage town, guest houses start at $15 per night and boutique hotels at $40 to $80. Street food is delicious and inexpensive, and meals cost from $2 to $4. Sample the Orlam stew and Sai Oua sausage. Transportation is also cheap, local tuk-tuk rides cost around $1 to $2, and intercity bus rides cost between $5 and $15.
Laos activities are not only affordable but also fulfilling. Entrance fees to places like the Kuang Si Waterfall are a mere $2.50, and cooking classes that use traditional techniques range from $25 to $35. Nature enthusiasts have plenty of hikes and treks to select from, many of which are free or low-cost for guided tours. Laos is teeming with experiences that won't break the bank.
Cheap Local tuk-tuk rides (Source: ThailandMagazine)
Start with Luang Prabang, one of the most scenic cities in Southeast Asia. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it's a blend of French colonial and traditional Buddhist temple architecture. You can see iconic attractions like Wat Xieng Thong, the Royal Palace Museum, and take part in the almsgiving ceremony at sunrise, all for free or for entrance fees under $3.
Luang Prabang Night Market is a paradise for shoppers and foodies with delicious dinners for as low as $1.50. The stay ranges from $10 for a decent guest house to $30–$40 for boutique hotels with views of the Mekong.
Luang Prabang in Laos (Source: Agoda)
Read more: Luang Prabang Tour 3 Days: Iconic Cultural
Vang Vieng is a highlight. The party town has matured into an adventure sports hub, with outdoor pursuits such as kayaking, caving, and trekking amidst dramatic limestone cliffs, with tour packages starting from $15. Most tracks, including the Pha Ngern Viewpoint trek, can be done for less than $2 in entry fees. Tubing on the Nam Song River, the must-do activity, is done for less than $10 for an entire day.
Down south in Laos, the 4,000 Islands (Si Phan Don) offer an off-the-grid laid-back experience. Bungalows on the river on Don Det or Don Khon cost as little as $5 a night. Rent bikes for $1 a day and explore waterfalls like Li Phi and shy freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins, all with minimal or no entrance fees. Tropical paradise is reinvented here without the resort costs.
Vang Vieng, Laos (Source: wedreamoftravel)
Even Vientiane, the sleepy capital, is easy on the wallet. Entrance to top sights like That Luang, Patuxai Monument, and COPE Visitor Centre rarely exceed $1–$2. Pair this with sidewalk cafés serving rich Lao coffee for $0.80 and budget hotels averaging $15–25, and you’ve got capital-city access without capital-city costs.
Laos shows you don't have to compromise on quality or authenticity to travel cheaply. Whether you're in pursuit of waterfalls, temples, or views, every dollar goes a long way and every experience is rich.
Beautiful capital of Laos (Source: KAYAK)
Start with the nation's spiritual heritage. Throughout cities and towns, temples known as Wats are open to visitors at minimal or no charge. Highlights such as observing the morning alms presented in Luang Prabang cost nothing and are profoundly emotional. Temple donations are minimal and voluntary, typically $1–$2. The price of cultural enrichment here is respect, not dollars.
For hands-on cultural exchange, take a Lao cooking class, which often includes a market visit. Classes are affordable, ranging from $20–$30 for 3–4 hours of guided cooking with ingredients, recipes, and a hearty meal included. You’ll learn to make dishes like laap (herbed meat salad), mok pa (steamed fish in banana leaves), and sticky rice, all staples of Lao cuisine.
Attractive Laos Cuisine (Source: HanoiVoyages)
Speaking of eating, the price of dining in Laos is one of the cheapest in Asia. A complete meal at a street stall costs an average of $1–$2, and even restaurant meals rarely cost more than $5–$7 per head. Try khao piak sen (noodle soup), grilled meat on sticks, and sweet treats such as khao nom kok (coconut pancakes). The portions are gigantic, the flavors intense, and the prices irresistible.
In rural markets and small towns, hyper-local specialties feature foraged herbs, fermented fish, and tropical greens. Cuisine here is not catering to tourists, it's authentic, it's traditional, and it's cheap. Even drinks are affordable: Beerlao, a favorite among the locals, costs roughly $1 a bottle, while fresh fruit shakes cost less than $1.
Restaurant in Laos (Source: lookphotos)
Laos is the cheapest holiday destination for 2025, offering a wide range of experiences that cater to all kinds of tourists. With its rich cultural past and stunning landscapes, as well as its affordable accommodation and dining, Laos offers great value. Thinking of discovering Laotian beauty? Let Asia King Travel be your guide.
