Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Vientiane
Experience authentic local culture on a shoestring budget with hostels, street food, and public transport
Daily Budget: $18-60 per day
Complete breakdown of costs for budget/backpacker travel in Vientiane
Accommodation
$8-25 per night
Dorm beds in hostels, basic guesthouses, budget hotels with shared facilities
Food & Dining
$5-15 per day
Street food stalls, local markets, noodle shops, self-catering from markets
Transportation
$2-8 per day
Public buses, shared tuk-tuks, walking, bicycle rentals
Activities
$3-12 per day
Free temple visits, walking tours, occasional museum entries, riverside parks
Currency: ₭ Lao Kip (LAK) - though USD is widely accepted in tourist areas
Budget/Backpacker Activities in Vientiane
Curated experiences perfect for your budget/backpacker travel style
Money-Saving Tips
Eat at local markets and street stalls instead of tourist restaurants (typically 60-80% cheaper)
Use public buses and shared transport instead of private taxis (saves 70-85% on transportation)
Stay in guesthouses outside the main tourist areas (usually 30-50% less expensive)
Visit temples and parks which are typically free or very low cost for cultural experiences
Shop at morning markets for snacks and drinks instead of hotel shops (50-70% savings)
Book accommodation directly with properties to avoid booking platform fees (5-15% savings)
Travel during low season months for significantly reduced accommodation rates (20-40% lower)
Common Budget Mistakes to Avoid
Only eating in tourist areas and hotel restaurants (typically costs 100-200% more than local options)
Taking taxis everywhere instead of using public transport (can triple your transportation costs)
Not negotiating prices for tuk-tuks and market purchases (can overpay by 50-100%)
Booking accommodation at the last minute during high season (can pay 40-80% premium)
Exchanging money at airports or hotels instead of banks (typically 3-8% worse rates)