Travelers going soon
Members who post a trip and choose to appear on public pages show up here.
Open trips to Laos
Post yours and see who is going on your dates. Asking to join a trip is always free.
Best time to go
November-February is the prime season: dry, cooler (and pleasantly cold in the northern hills at night), clear river views and lush post-monsoon landscapes: peak time in Luang Prabang. March-May is hot (35°C+) and, in March-April, often hazy from agricultural burning in the north, which can dull views and affect sensitive lungs. The June-October wet season brings green countryside, full waterfalls (Kuang Si at its best), fewer tourists and lower prices, with short heavy afternoon downpours and some rougher roads. Pii Mai (Lao New Year, mid-April) is a joyous, soaking water festival: wonderful but everything slows or closes for days.
Top places
Costs
| Budget, per person | Typical |
|---|---|
| Backpacker, per day | $25-40 |
| Mid-range, per day | $50-95 |
| Comfort, per day | $160+ |
| Hostel dorm bed (Luang Prabang) | $5-12 |
| Guesthouse double (river view) | $25-50 |
| Laap / noodle soup + Beerlao | $3-6 |
| Vientiane-Luang Prabang fast train | $15-25 |
| Kuang Si falls trip + entry | $8-15 |
With a partner, rooms, taxis and day tours are the easy things to share. Our guide to splitting travel costs with a travel partner has a simple way to keep track. Estimates in US dollars, for planning only.
Getting around
The new Laos-China high-speed railway has transformed travel: Vientiane to Luang Prabang in under two hours (vs a winding day by road), with Vang Vieng on the line too; book ahead, it's popular. Otherwise, buses and minivans connect the towns (mountain roads are slow and winding: the railway is a relief). The classic slow boat down the Mekong (two days from the Thai border to Luang Prabang) is a beloved journey in itself. Domestic flights cover the longer hops (Vientiane-Luang Prabang, -Pakse). Within towns, tuk-tuks, bicycles and scooter rentals do the job. In the 4,000 Islands and Nong Khiaw, boats are the transport. Allow generous times everywhere: this is not a country to rush.
Money and staying connected
Laos uses the kip (LAK), which comes in large numbers; US dollars and Thai baht are also accepted in some tourist spots, but kip is best for daily spending. Cash is king: ATMs exist in towns (with low limits and fees; withdraw enough), and cards are accepted only at nicer hotels and restaurants, so carry plenty of kip, especially for rural areas and the islands. Tipping isn't traditional but is appreciated. SIMs (Unitel, Lao Telecom) are cheap with reasonable town coverage, patchy in the mountains and on remote islands: download maps. Wi-Fi is common but can be slow. Visa on arrival is straightforward at main entry points (have USD cash and a passport photo); an e-visa exists too.
Culture and etiquette
Laos is deeply Buddhist and its culture is gentle, modest and face-conscious: calm and a smile get you everywhere; visible anger and raised voices lose respect. The traditional greeting is the nop (palms together, slight bow). At temples (and there are many), dress modestly: cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes and hats, never point your feet at Buddha images, sit respectfully, and women must not touch monks or hand things to them directly. The dawn alms-giving in Luang Prabang is a sacred ritual, not a photo op: if you watch, do so silently from a distance, dress respectfully, and don't use flash. Don't touch people's heads. Useful phrases: "Sabaidee" (hello), "Khop chai" (thank you), "Khop chai lai lai" (thank you very much), "Tao dai?" (how much?), and a smile covers the rest.
Health and safety
Laos is a safe, gentle country for travelers: crime against tourists is uncommon and the people are easygoing. The real risks are practical: road accidents on winding mountain routes (the train is genuinely safer than long bus rides; wear helmets on scooters), and rural health basics. Drink bottled/filtered water; eat busy, freshly-cooked food. Dengue is present (repellent at dawn/dusk); malaria risk exists in remote rural/border areas (consult a clinic). A serious note for off-the-beaten-track travel: parts of Laos, especially Xieng Khouang (Plain of Jars) and the east, remain heavily contaminated with unexploded ordnance from the war: never leave marked paths in affected provinces, and follow local guidance absolutely. Tubing/river activities: respect currents and operator advice. Emergency services are limited: travel insurance with evacuation matters.
General guidance, not medical or security advice. Check your government's travel advice and a travel clinic before you book.
How many people visit
International arrivals to Laos over the most recent years with data, roughly number 23 of 31 in its region by reported arrivals.
Source: UN Tourism (UNWTO). Years marked * are estimates: this country's measured baseline scaled by UN Tourism's published regional recovery rates, shown until measured figures are out.
Key facts
- Largest city
- Vientiane
- Languages
- Lao
- Population
- 7.9 million (2025)
- Area
- 236,800 km² (91,429 mi²)
- Calling code
- +856
- Region
- South-Eastern Asia
Travelling solo in Laos
Arriving alone is fine: plenty of people start a Laos trip on their own, and a travel partner can be someone you share one day with or the whole route.
Meeting someone new? Talk here first, meet somewhere public, and read our travel safety guide.
Visa check
A free checker with a link to the official source. Your passport is picked from where you are browsing; change it any time.
Travelling to Laos with a travel buddy
How do I find a travel buddy for Laos?
Make a free profile and add your Laos trip with rough dates. You will see travelers going on your dates and open trips to Laos you can ask to join, or you can post your own trip and let partners find you. Asking to join a trip is always free.
When is the best time to visit Laos?
November-February is the prime season: dry, cooler (and pleasantly cold in the northern hills at night), clear river views and lush post-monsoon landscapes: peak time in Luang Prabang. March-May is hot (35°C+) and, in March-April, often hazy from agricultural burning in the north, which can dull views and affect sensitive lungs.
How much does a day in Laos cost?
Typical costs, in US dollars: backpacker, per day: $25 to $40; mid-range, per day: $50 to $95; comfort, per day: $160+; hostel dorm bed (Luang Prabang): $5 to $12; guesthouse double (river view): $25 to $50; laap / noodle soup + Beerlao: $3 to $6; vientiane-Luang Prabang fast train: $15 to $25; kuang Si falls trip + entry: $8 to $15. These are estimates for planning only. With a travel partner, rooms and taxis are easy to share.
Is Laos good for solo travelers?
Arriving alone is fine: plenty of people start a Laos trip on their own, and a travel partner can be someone you share one day with or the whole route.
Thailand
Indonesia
Malaysia
Cambodia
Singapore
Philippines