Travel budget in Laos

Laos: calculate your travel budget

Laos: sample budgets by traveller type

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Laos for 2 people.

Low budget
(backpacker)

Daily budget:

  • $ 13 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 4.9 per person
  • $ 2.6 per person
  • Free activities

Total budget:

$ 385* (8043504 ₭)

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

  • $ 37 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 12 per person
  • $ 8.9 per person
  • $ 2.9 per person

Total budget:

$ 1159* (24229310 ₭)

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

  • $ 54 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 17 per person
  • $ 21 per person
  • $ 5.9 per person

Total budget:

$ 1928* (40297166 ₭)

* Estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks. This represents an average across the country (budget may vary depending on the city or region visited).



Cost of living in Laos in 2024

Cost of living: Laos VS United States

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living in Laos in 2024 is 42% less than in the United States (USA).

The graphic below shows the percentage of variation between prices United States in in the United States (USA) and United States by types of expenses:

Cost of living in Laos by city

See the table below for the variation in the cost of living in different cities in Laos compared to the national average.

Cities /Laos View Details
Luang Prabang 40% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Luang Prabang
Vang Vieng 4% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Vang Vieng
Vientiane 3% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Vientiane
Thakhek 7% lessTravel budget and cost of living in Thakhek



Local prices in Laos by expense type

Laos: Restaurant budget

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in Laos costs 69% less than in the United States (USA).
Lunch
Lunch
$ 2/person
($ 1.7 to $ 3.4)

90% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21
3 course dinner
3 course dinner
$ 11/person
($ 6.6 to $ 26)

73% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 39
McDonald's meal
McDonald's meal
$ 5/person
($ 4 to $ 5.8)

52% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11
Local beer
Local beer
$ 1.2 for 500ml
($ 1 to $ 1.7)

80% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6
Imported beer
Imported beer
$ 1.5 for 330ml
($ 0.8 to $ 2.5)

56% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5
Cappuccino
Cappuccino
$ 1.7/cup
($ 1.2 to $ 3.9)

66% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1
Fizzy drink
Fizzy drink
$ 0.9/can
($ 0.7 to $ 1.3)

65% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 0.5/bottle
($ 0.4 to $ 0.5)

74% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2

Laos: Hotel and accommodation budget

On average, hotel and accommodation budget in Laos costs 76% less than in the United States (USA).
1-star hotel
1-star hotel
$ 23/night
($ 6.5 to $ 97)

83% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 138
2-star hotel
2-star hotel
$ 28/night
($ 17 to $ 51)

80% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 143
3-star hotel
3-star hotel
$ 46/night
($ 29 to $ 107)

77% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 206
4-star hotel
4-star hotel
$ 61/night
($ 35 to $ 122)

79% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 295
5-star hotel
5-star hotel
$ 68/night
($ 24 to $ 192)

87% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 523
Hostel/Youth Hostel
Hostel/Youth Hostel
$ 19/month
($ 6.5 to $ 53)

86% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 142
Room with kitchen
Room with kitchen
$ 71/month
($ 32 to $ 152)

65% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 206
Hotel with swimming pool
Hotel with swimming pool
$ 61/month
($ 32 to $ 150)

67% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 189
Cottage or guest house
Cottage or guest house
$ 27/month
($ 19 to $ 53)

88% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 227
Family room
Family room
$ 102/month
($ 54 to $ 235)

47% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 192

Laos: Supermarket food budget

On average, the price of supermarket food in Laos costs 43% less than in the United States (USA).
Milk
Milk
$ 1.9/litre
($ 1.5 to $ 2.3)

80% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1
Bread
Bread
$ 1.1/500g
($ 0.8 to $ 1.2)

70% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6
Rice
Rice
$ 1.4/kg
($ 0.9 to $ 2.2)

68% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.6
Eggs
Eggs
$ 2.1/12 eggs
($ 1.2 to $ 2.4)

44% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.7
Chicken
Chicken
$ 6/kg
($ 2.6 to $ 11)

50% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13
Apples
Apples
$ 2.2/kg
($ 2 to $ 2.6)

59% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
$ 2.7/kg
($ 1.1 to $ 4.4)

43% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.9
Potatoes
Potatoes
$ 1.2/kg
($ 1 to $ 1.5)

59% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 0.5
($ 0.3 to $ 1)

77% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Laos: Public and private transport budget

On average, the price of transport in Laos costs 3% less than in the United States (USA).
Bus ticket
Bus ticket
$ 0.7/ticket
( $ 0.7)

76% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5
Taxi (per km)
Taxi (per km)
$ 1.2/km
($ 1.2 to $ 2)

31% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7
Petrol
Petrol
$ 1.6/litre
($ 1.2 to $ 2)

69% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
$ 2
($ 1.4 to $ 4.8)

46% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.8
Car hire
Car hire
$ 54/24hrs
($ 47 to $ 60)

69% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 32

Laos: Leisure activity budget

On average, budget for leisure activities in Laos costs 73% less than in the United States (USA).
Cinema
Cinema
$ 2.9/ticket
($ 2.5 to $ 4.8)

78% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 15
Tennis
Tennis
$ 7.3/hr
($ 5 to $ 9.7)

68% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 23

Laos: Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes

On average, shopping budget in Laos is 10% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Cigarettes
Cigarettes
$ 2/pack
($ 2 to $ 2.4)

80% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11
Levi's jeans
Levi's jeans
$ 84
($ 30 to $ 167)

56% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 54
Summer dress
Summer dress
$ 68
($ 61 to $ 73)

53% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 44

Plane ticket budget

Sydney → Vientiane
Sydney → Vientiane
Sydney → Vientiane
$ 720
(fair price: $ 576)
London → Vientiane
London → Vientiane
London → Vientiane
$ 1029
(fair price: $ 824)
Melbourne → Vientiane
Melbourne → Vientiane
Melbourne → Vientiane
$ 715
(fair price: $ 552)
London → Luang Prabang
London → Luang Prabang
London → Luang Prabang
$ 1019
(fair price: $ 834)
Los Angeles → Vientiane
Los Angeles  → Vientiane
Los Angeles  → Vientiane
$ 1350
(fair price: $ 1044)
New York City → Vientiane
New York City → Vientiane
New York City → Vientiane
$ 1411
(fair price: $ 1160)

Book a flight Flight prices to Laos





About the information on the cost of living in Laos

The information about the cost of living in Laos shown on this page comes from multiple sources, including : Numbeo, Skyscanner and Hotels.com.

Information about cost of living in Laos updated on 14-03-2024.

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