Laos Trip: A Complete Guide to Planning Your Journey

Laos is not a place you rush through. Days move slow and distances take long. That is why a Laos trip feels so different from travelling to other countries in Southeast Asia. With some preparation you can travel comfortably and leave space for last minute changes. This guide helps you plan your Laos journey in a way that fits the country.

Ready to Dive Right In? Explore These Routes

Why Plan a Laos Trip?

Laos is in the middle of Southeast Asia between Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. This location makes it easy to add Laos to a trip. Laos is very different from the places around it. You get to see a lot of culture and mountains and rivers without cities taking up all your time.

A Slower Experience Along the Mekong River

The Mekong River goes from north to south. Local people still use the river to get to places. In Luang Prabang you can watch monks getting food at sunrise. Then take a boat to the Pak Ou Caves, where you will see thousands of Buddha statues.

Waterfalls You Can Actually Reach

You can visit many places without walking for days. The Kuang Si Waterfalls are 30 kilometres from Luang Prabang. You can get there by tuk tuk or a shared minivan. The water is blue and you can swim in it.

A Route That Makes Planning Simple

Most people travel from north to south. Many come from Northern Thailand. Then they go to Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng. After that they go down to Pakse and the islands. This way you do not have to go back and forth too much.

Best Time to Visit Laos

Image by Duyệt Trần Văn from Pixabay

The best time to visit Laos is usually from November to March. This is when the temperatures are lower and the roads are easier to manage in Laos. April can be extremely hot in Laos. The rainy season in Laos from May to October brings afternoon downpours in Laos. It also makes the surroundings in Laos look greener.

We have written a full guide covering climate, festivals and regional differences. Read our best time to visit Laos article before booking flights, as weather varies between north and south.

Planning Your Perfect Laos Itinerary

This is the fun part: designing your Laos itinerary. When you look at a map the distances seem small. But the roads in the mountains and the routes along the rivers can be slow. It is therefore a good idea to plan ahead to make your days go smoothly.

7 to 10 Days: Northern Highlights

You can start in Luang Prabang. Stay there for three nights. This will give you time to see all the temples visit the Pak Ou Caves and the Kuang Si Waterfalls. Then you can go to Vang Vieng. Stay there for two nights. You can visit the Blue Lagoon and hike to the viewpoints above the river. After that you can go to Vientiane. Stay there for two nights. You can explore Pha That Luang and Buddha Park.

Read more about Northern Laos in this complete Northern Laos Itinerary!

10 to 14 Days: From Mountains to the 4000 Islands

You can start again in Luang Prabang then go through Vang Vieng and Vientiane. From there you can take a long bus to Pakse. You can explore the Bolaven Plateau loop. See all the waterfalls and coffee villages. Then you can go to the 4000 islands near the border. You can stay on Don Det and watch the sunset over the islands and have a campfire.

If you only have one week you can look at our 1 week Laos itinerary. It will show you all the nice places to visit in Laos.

Two to Three Weeks: Deeper Exploration

If you have time in Laos you can add Nong Khiaw to your itinerary. Nong Khiaw is north of Luang Prabang. You can do sunrise hikes there above limestone peaks. Take boat trips along the Nam Ou river. You can also include Phonsavan in your itinerary. Phonsavan is a nice place to visit the Plain of Jars. The Plain of Jars is a site with stone jars scattered across rolling hills. Then you can travel south to Pakse. Spend two days exploring the Bolaven Plateau loop. After that you can head down to the 4000 Islands. The 4000 Islands are great for spending time on Don Det or Don Khon.

It is a good idea to keep at least one unplanned day in each region of Laos. This way you can stay longer somewhere you truly enjoy.

The Best Laos Cities and Regions to Explore

Now that you have your route in mind, let’s talk about the stops that truly define your Laos trip. Read our full Best Places to Visit in Laos guide before finalising your route, as it covers even more detailed suggestions.

Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang is where many people begin, and for good reason. The old town is compact, so you can walk between temples, cafés and the riverside without needing transport. Kuang Si Waterfalls sit about 45 minutes away by tuk tuk, and boats leave daily for the Pak Ou Caves along the Mekong River.

Image by Poswiecie from Pixabay

Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng sits between Luang Prabang and Vientiane and is known for its limestone mountains. The Blue Lagoon is the main swimming spot, and several caves nearby can be visited with a local guide. Kayaking trips along the Nam Song river usually last half a day and include short stops at riverbanks.

Image by DEZALB from Pixabay

Nong Khiaw

Nong Khiaw lies north of Luang Prabang and is reached by bus in about three to four hours. The main attraction is hiking to viewpoints that look over the Nam Ou river and surrounding mountains. Boat trips to nearby Muang Ngoi are also available from the small pier.

Image by Valter Cirillo from Pixabay

Southern Laos and the 4000 Islands

In southern Laos, most routes lead to Pakse and then further south to the 4000 islands. Don Det is a popular base, with bicycle rentals and boat trips to see Irrawaddy dolphins near the Cambodian border. The Bolaven Plateau near Pakse is known for its coffee farms and waterfalls, which can be visited on a one or two day motorbike loop.

Image by Richard Mcall from Pixabay

Tip: remember to bring cash before you go to the islands because there are no ATMs once you leave Pakse and go to the 4000 Islands.

Laos Backpacking and Budget Travel

Laos backpacking trips are really affordable. The cost of accommodation, food and transport is usually lower than in Thailand, which's a neighbouring country.

Accommodation Tips

You can find a lot of options on booking platforms. It is also a good idea to just walk into a guesthouse and ask if they have a room available. This usually works outside of the peak months. However in places like Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng it is a good idea to reserve a room ahead of time during the high season so you can make sure that your favourite hotel is not fully booked. Don Det has bungalows that get filled up quickly in December and January, so you should plan ahead for Laos backpacking.

Currency in Laos: Lao Kip

The currency of Laos is the Lao Kip, which is also called LAK. In towns like Luang Prabang and Vientiane you can easily find ATMs and they usually give you Lao Kip. The amount of money you can take out at one time is often around 1,500,000 to 2,000,000 LAK. Sometimes you can also use US dollars and Thai Baht in tourist areas. The exchange rates are different and you usually get your change in Lao Kip.

When you are Laos backpacking you should know that some higher end hotels and restaurants accept card payments but smaller guesthouses and places on the islands usually prefer cash so it is a good idea to have some Lao Kip with you.

What Do Laos Holidays Cost?

Laos is a cheap country to visit in Southeast Asia. The cost of traveling in Laos can be very different depending on how you like to travel and where you go.

Prices of food, accommodation and transport in Laos.

Tip: withdraw money in bigger towns before travelling to rural regions, and keep smaller notes for daily purchases.

Getting Around During Your Laos Trip

When you are in Laos figuring out how to get around is a part of the fun. If you know what options you have you can plan your Laos trip the way you want to. Your Laos travel plan will be a bit different if you take the train, the bus or a boat.

High Speed Train Connections

There is a train that connects Laos to China. This train goes to Vientiane Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang. It only takes a hours to get to these places. The train stations are usually outside of the town so you will need to take a tuk tuk to get to your hotel.

Buses and Minivans

There are minivans that go to towns in Laos. You can book these minivans at your hotel or through a travel agency. The minivan will usually pick you up at your hotel or at a travel office in the town. The long distance buses in the south of Laos can take a long time, around eight to ten hours. This is because the roads are not very good and the bus driver might stop a lot.

Tip: never book onward connections too tightly after long bus rides, the buses in Laos often arrive later than planned.

River Boats

You can take a boat from Northern Thailand to Luang Prabang. This trip takes two days. You will stop overnight in Pakbeng. There are also boats that go around the 4000 Islands and on the Mekong River. These boats connect villages and islands.

Scooter and Motorbikes

Many people like to rent a scooter or motorbike in Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng or Pakse. This gives you the freedom to stop wherever you want like at a viewpoint or a waterfall. It usually costs around £5 to £8 per day to rent a scooter or motorbike. The rental shop will ask to see your passport. They might want to keep it as a deposit. But it is better to leave some cash as a deposit so you can keep your passport with you.

When you are driving outside of the town the roads can be very bad. One minute you are on a road and the next minute you are driving on a road with many potholes or gravel. During the rainy months some of the roads can be muddy and slippery. You might even see cows, dogs or chickens on the road. So you need to drive carefully!

Entry Requirements for Laos Trips

Before you book your Laos trip you need to know about the visas and documents you will need. The rules for getting into Laos are pretty simple.

Passport and Visa Basics

Your passport has to be good for at least six months from the day you enter Laos. Most people can get a visa when they arrive at airports like Vientiane and Luang Prabang and at some land borders.

Do you need a visa for Laos?

You can ask for an eVisa online before you leave through the Laos government website. They will usually approve it within a few working days. Not all land borders take the eVisa so you should check online if you can use it where you will cross.

Is a Laos Trip Right for You?

Laos trips are great for people who like nature, culture and taking it easy. You will like it more if you enjoy seeing temples, staying in simple guesthouses and taking long trips to see the country between big stops.

Laos trips feel different from trips in Southeast Asia. You will not see a lot of stores, giant malls or places to go out at night. Instead, people in Laos focus on temples, rivers and small family-run guesthouses which makes your Laos trip feel more personal.

Ready to Map Out Your Laos Route?

We hope this Laos trip guide has given you a clear starting point for your trip. Stay tuned for more inspiration, itineraries and practical tips to help you shape your perfect Laos adventure. And don’t forget to check out our Go-Guided app, where you can create your own route or use routes shared by other travellers for free!

FAQs About Planning a Laos Trip

Is Laos safe?

Laos is generally a country for visitors. There is no violent crime in areas that tourists usually visit. You should still take precautions like keeping your valuables secure and getting travel insurance.

Is Laos worth visiting?

Many people think Laos is worth visiting. It has a lot of temples, and you can take river journeys. There are mountain regions to explore. Laos is a choice if you like culture and nature more than nightlife.

How many days do you need in Laos?

If you want to see both the north and the south of Laos, ten to fourteen days is a good amount of time. This way you do not spend much of your trip on buses. If you only have one week you can visit Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Vientiane. If you have more time, you can also visit places like the Bolaven Plateau or the 4000 Islands.

Can you drink tap water in Laos?

No, it is not a good idea to drink tap water in Laos. Most hotels provide water and you can buy bottles in the mini markets.

Are ATMs easy to find in Laos?

You can easily find ATMs in towns like Luang Prabang, Vientiane and Pakse. In smaller villages and on islands, like Don Det, ATMs are limited. So it is a good idea to withdraw cash before travelling to remote areas.