Before Laos, we thought it would just be a stop between Thailand and Vietnam.
A few temples.
A few mountains.
Maybe some slow boats.
Then somehow, 14 days later, Laos became one of our favourite countries in Southeast Asia.
Not because there were famous attractions everywhere.
Not because the food was the best.
But because life felt slower.
And after months of travelling, that was exactly what we needed.
Our Laos Budget (17 Jun – 30 Jun 2025)
For 14 days in Laos, we spent:
SGD 1,322.51 as a couple
That works out to:
- SGD 94.47 per day for two people
- SGD 47.24 per person per day
Honestly?
That’s less than what we sometimes spend in a single day in Switzerland.
The First Thing We Noticed About Laos
Nobody seemed to be in a hurry.
The buses were late.
The restaurants took their time.
Even crossing the street felt slower.
At first, it was frustrating.
Then after a few days, we realised something.
The problem wasn’t Laos.
It was us.
We were still travelling at Thailand speed.
Laos was quietly telling us to slow down.
And eventually, we did.
The Biggest Surprise: Food Was Our Largest Expense
When we checked our spending later, we discovered something funny.
Our biggest expense wasn’t accommodation.
It wasn’t transport.
It was food.
We spent SGD 509.74 eating our way through Laos.
No regrets.
Some days started with Lao coffee.
Then a fruit shake.
Then another coffee because why not.
Then dinner beside the river.
Then dessert.
Looking back, a large part of our Laos memories happened around a table.
Accommodation Was Cheaper Than Expected
We spent SGD 337.46 on accommodation.
That’s around SGD 24 per night.
Most places weren’t fancy.
But they were clean, comfortable, and usually came with air conditioning.
At that point in our trip, air conditioning felt more luxurious than a swimming pool.
Vang Vieng Was Even More Beautiful Than Instagram
You know those places that look amazing online but disappoint in real life?
Vang Vieng wasn’t one of them.
The limestone mountains looked ridiculous.
Like someone copied them from a fantasy movie and dropped them into Laos.
Every time we thought we’d seen the best viewpoint, another one appeared around the corner.
Luang Prabang Felt Like a Different World
If we had to choose one place to revisit tomorrow, it would probably be Luang Prabang.
Early mornings.
Monks collecting alms.
Quiet streets.
French-style cafés.
The entire town felt peaceful in a way that’s hard to explain.
Nothing dramatic happened there.
Yet it’s one of the places we remember most.
Was Laos Worth It?
Absolutely.
Laos isn’t the country with the biggest attractions.
It’s not the country with the fastest internet.
It’s not the country with the most exciting nightlife.
But it has something many places lose once they become famous.
Space.
Time.
A slower rhythm.
And sometimes that’s exactly what makes a destination unforgettable.
Laos Cost Summary
📍 Country: Laos
📅 17 June – 30 June 2025
👫 2 Travellers
💰 Total Spent: SGD 1,322.51
📊 Daily Average: SGD 94.47
💵 Per Person Per Day: SGD 47.24
Would we go back?
Without hesitation.