Exploration of 2025: Why Laos Stand as Top Budget-Friendly Destination for Indian Tourists
Laos, often overlooked by its more popular neighbours, is emerging as a quiet and affordable alternative for Indian holidaymakers accustomed to destinations like Thailand's beaches and Vietnam's street food.
This landlocked country offers a slower pace of life at a fraction of the cost. A cold Beerlao, the local brew, costs only a few coins more than street food. In fact, the cost of a dorm bed in a hostel in Luang Prabang or Vientiane is as low as INR 353, and buses and minivans between cities are usually under INR 530.
While Laos doesn't have direct flights from India, it's accessible via Bangkok, Hanoi, or Kuala Lumpur with short onward flights to Vientiane, Luang Prabang, or Pakse.
The affordability of Laos is evident in the travel industry as well. International travelers contributed over USD 426 million in revenue to Laos in the first three months of 2025. This year, Laos has officially overtaken Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia to be crowned the region's most affordable destination.
The affordability is not just limited to accommodation and transport. Street food classics like sticky rice with grilled meat cost under INR 120. Even the entry to popular attractions like the Kuang Si Falls near Luang Prabang costs just INR 270, and the ticket includes access to a bear rescue center.
Temples in Laos are often free to enter, and the best sights like the Mekong at sunset and saffron-robed monks walking through town at dawn come without a price tag.
Domestic tourism in Laos is also on the rise, with nearly 1.4 million locals exploring their own country during the same period. This growth in tourism has been a boon for the country, with more than 1.2 million international travelers visiting Laos in the first three months of 2025, an 11% increase from the previous year.
Travelers can cover stay, food, and local transport in Laos for as little as INR 1,414 per day. The relatively new Laos-China Railway offers a quick Vientiane-Vang Vieng hop for about INR 700 in second class.
For Indian travelers, either an eVisa or a visa on arrival is required to enter Laos, both of which can be sorted online before travel. Renting a motorbike in Laos starts from INR 550 a day. In Vang Vieng, the cost of a dorm bed in a hostel can drop to as low as INR 176.
In 2025, Laos is the most affordable destination in Southeast Asia for travelers. It has managed to deliver affordability and authenticity in the same package, making it the best bargain in Southeast Asia. The search results do not provide information on the author of the latest travel reports about Laos published in Outlook Traveller in August - September 2025. However, the message is clear - Laos is a hidden gem waiting to be explored by budget-conscious Indian travelers.
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