Laos remains one of the most affordable countries in Southeast Asia, even after the kip lost much of its value in 2022–2023 and local prices rose. For visitors paying in dollars, won, or baht, the arithmetic still works out well. The figures below are rough current ranges for Vientiane and Vang Vieng at about 21,000 kip to the US dollar; check the day's rate on TheLaoHub's exchange page before you plan.
What things cost (rough ranges)
Dorm bed or basic guesthouse room: about 100,000–250,000 kip a night. Mid-range hotel room: about 250,000–600,000 kip. Comfortable 4–5 star: well above that, usually quoted in dollars. Market or street meal (noodle soup, sticky rice with grilled meat, a baguette): about 20,000–40,000 kip. Sit-down restaurant meal: 60,000–120,000 kip per person; Western food and cocktails cost more. Short tuk-tuk hop in town: 20,000–40,000 kip once agreed, more if you accept the first quote. App rides: shown in LOCA or KOKKOK Move before you book. Big Beerlao at a bar: about 25,000–40,000 kip. Coffee at a café: 25,000–40,000 kip. Vientiane–Vang Vieng train: roughly 80,000–150,000 kip by class. Vang Vieng activities: entry fees of 10,000–30,000 kip, tubing around 60,000 kip plus deposit, half-day kayaking around 15–20 dollars, a balloon flight around 80–90 dollars. Prices vary by season and operator and change with the exchange rate — treat these as anchors, not quotes.
Backpacker: about 25–40 dollars a day
A dorm or basic room, market and street food, one beer, walking and shared transport, and free or cheap sights such as temples, viewpoints, and the riverside. Vang Vieng adds entry fees and a tube or kayak.
Mid-range: about 50–90 dollars a day
A private room in a 2–3 star hotel with air-conditioning, sit-down meals including some Western food, app rides instead of haggling, a paid activity most days, and the train rather than the bus.
Comfortable: 150 dollars a day and up
A 4–5 star hotel, private car and guide, upscale dining, a balloon flight or private tours. Hotels in this bracket quote in dollars and often add tax and service.
What changes the total
Paying by phone: LAO QR payments through your own banking app (Korean travelers via GLN-linked apps such as Toss or Naver Pay, Thai travelers via Thai bank apps, others via LOCA Pay) mean you convert at your app's rate and skip repeated ATM fees. Details are in the money guide. ATM fees: each withdrawal carries a fixed local fee plus your bank's fee, so fewer, larger withdrawals are cheaper. Ride apps: fixed in-app fares remove the tourist premium on transport, one of the biggest hidden costs for first-timers. Season: rooms cost more in November–February and over Lao New Year in April.
Saving without suffering
Eat where locals eat, especially at lunch. Take the train. Agree tuk-tuk fares first or use the app. Exchange at banks or licensed changers and count the notes. Carry small notes for toilets and snacks. And keep a cushion: kip prices move, and the last-minute balloon ride is always worth it.