Hotels in Laos

Hotels in Laos: your guide to where to stay

How much does a hotel in Laos cost?

The price depends on the standard, the city and the dates. The table shows indicative nightly rates for a double room. The cheapest month is usually June, in the rainy season, while December at the peak of the dry season is the priciest. Guesthouses and hostels are among the cheapest options.

Indicative rates, updated periodically. For exact prices and availability, select your dates in the search above.

Where to stay in Laos: most popular cities

The country splits clearly into the capital, the former royal capital and riverside towns. These are the destinations travellers choose most often:

• Vientiane. The capital on the Mekong, with the main airport, cafés and the widest choice of hotels.
• Luang Prabang. The former royal capital and a UNESCO site, famous for its temples and markets. The priciest destination in the country.
• Vang Vieng. A town on the Song River, popular for tubing and karst scenery.
• Pakse. The gateway to the south, statistically the cheapest place to stay.
• Huay Xai. A border town on the Mekong, the starting point for boat trips to Luang Prabang.

Nightly rates vary between cities. Here are indicative prices per night for a double room:

What to see in Laos

The country combines monuments, rivers and authentic rural life, so it is easy to match a trip to your interests.

• Luang Prabang. A UNESCO-listed town with royal palaces and dozens of temples.
• Wat Sisaket. One of the country's most famous temples in Vientiane, with thousands of Buddha sculptures.
• The markets. The handicraft night market and the morning market in Luang Prabang, an essential stop.
• Vientiane. The capital, blending French-inherited café culture with tuk-tuk rides.
• Savannakhet. One of the most authentic places to taste local cuisine.

How much does a trip to Laos cost

ATMs are easy to find, though they dispense large sums and bank fees vary. In the main cities, restaurants, hotels and some shops take cards. Groceries for a few days cost about 200,000 LAK (22 USD), and a meal in a cheap restaurant about 24,000 LAK (2.70 USD).

When is the best time to visit Laos

The best time is from November to March, when temperatures are milder. One of the top festivals, Bun Pha That Luang, takes place in Vientiane in November. June in the rainy season is the cheapest, December at the peak of the season the priciest.

Getting to and around Laos

Laos has four international airports: in Vientiane (Wattay), Luang Prabang, Savannakhet and Pakse. Arriving from outside Asia usually involves a layover in Bangkok. Within the country, tuk-tuks and air-conditioned tourist coaches are the mainstay, with converted trucks called sorngtaaou a cheaper option. Domestic flights are run by Lao Airlines and Lao Skyway. Renting a car needs an International Driving Permit, and it is often cheaper to hire one with a driver.

Example hotels in Laos

A few recognisable properties from different cities for reference:

• Crowne Plaza Vientiane and Salana Boutique Hotel in Vientiane (upper tier, from approx. $67).
• Mekong Riverview Hotel and Pullman Luang Prabang in Luang Prabang (from approx. $75).
• Amari Vang Vieng in Vang Vieng (by the river, from approx. $55).