What standard of accommodation can I expect for US$5 in Laos?

The price of accommodation varies from town to town. For example in Vang Vieng you can get a decent clean room with private bathroom and shower for $3-4 dollars, whereas $3 in Vientiane gets you a dorm room bed, and in Luang Prabang a very basic room with shared bathroom.

The following applies to Vientiane or Luang Prabang:

$2-$5: The higher end of this range may include a pokey little bathroom. The room will be big enough for a clean bed with sheets and a couple of bags. The sheets will only be washed when you leave. It may have either a large ceiling fan or a small standing one.

$5-$10: Gets you a reasonable fan or if you are lucky, a very basic air-con room. Your bed will have a clean mattress and sheets. Generally larger than the lower price range, these rooms often have a desk and chair. You might even get something tasteful. Your own bathroom will probably have hot water.

$10-$20: More comfortable, sometimes with air-con, a comfortable bed (often still quite hard) and a clean, well-equipped bathroom. The room should be spacious and may have a few extras such as a bar fridge and cable TV. May be cleaned daily.

$20+: The beginning of mid-range small hotels and guesthouses. As the price rises from here, expect more extras, such as imported mattresses, TV with full cable, a mini-bar, balcony, breakfast and so on.

More Travelfish FAQs

Please find below some of the more frequently asked questions (FAQ) people have about travelling to Laos. We've tried to answer all the most frequently asked questions, but if you have another query about Laos, please try our Travelfish messageboard.

Accommodation

Is it possible to rent rooms or dormitories for longer periods of time while travelling in Laos?
Rooms: Is a fan room ok, or should I budget for air-on?
Should I take my own padlock for the door of my room while travelling in Laos?
What should I do if a bag is stolen from my room or dormitory while travelling in Laos?
What standard of accommodation can I expect for US$5 in Laos?
Why are there so few dormitories in Laos?
Why are there so few hostels in Laos?

Bargaining

Should I bargain for everything I want to buy in Laos?
What is the best way to bargain in Laos?
What shouldn't I do when bargaining in Laos?

Cost of travelling

How much should I budget per day for a holiday in Laos?
What is the bare minimum I could survive on in Laos?
What is the best way to spend less money in Laos?

Food glorious food

Can I drink the tap water in Laos?
How can I avoid MSG in Laos?
How do I avoid peanuts in Laos?
I have a food allergy -- what should I do when travelling in Laos?
Is there good vegetarian food in Laos?
Is western food available in Laos?

Getting around

How reliable is the public bus system?
Is it easy to hitch-hike in Laos?
Is it easy to rent a car or motorcycle in Laos?
Should I get a tourist minibus in Laos?
Which is better, speedboat or slow boat?

Getting there and away

How do I get from Lao airports into nearby towns?
Is it safe to fly with Lao Airlines?

Money madness

Are credit cards accepted in Laos?
Are there ATMs in Laos?
Can I send money out of Laos?
How can I have money sent to me in Laos?
Should I bring travellers cheques, credit/debit cards or cash to Laos?
Should I tip in Laos?

Packing purgatory

What should I pack for a holiday in Laos?
What shouldn't I pack a holiday in Laos?

Security

Can I use drugs in Laos?
Is Laos a safe place to travel alone to?
Is Laos safe?

Technology

Are there many internet cafes in Laos?
Can I travel with a laptop in Laos?
What is mobile phone coverage like in Laos?
What is the voltage in Laos?

Things to learn

Where can I learn Lao?

Vexed by visas?

What are the Laos visa requirements?

Weather

What is the weather like in Laos?