Laos Holidays

Last updated: September 2026

Laos holidays offer Southeast Asia at its most serene — a landlocked country of forested mountains, ancient temples, Mekong riverbanks and a pace of life so unhurried it feels like a different world entirely. It is the least-visited major destination in the region, and that is precisely what makes it so rewarding.

Laos suits travellers who want depth over speed. The former royal capital of Luang Prabang is one of the most beautiful small cities in Asia; the slow boat journey down the Mekong is one of the great travel experiences on the continent; and the country’s genuine off-the-beaten-track character makes it a perfect complement to busier neighbours like Thailand or Vietnam.

Why Choose Laos?

Laos is Southeast Asia’s best-kept secret. While its neighbours attract millions of visitors, Laos receives a fraction of that traffic — which means quieter temples, more genuine interactions and landscapes that still feel genuinely wild.

The country moves at its own pace. Laotian culture is rooted in Theravada Buddhism and a deep respect for calm and contemplation. That atmosphere is immediately apparent to visitors and is one of the most restorative aspects of a Laos trip.

Laos also offers outstanding value. Budget travellers can live very comfortably on £25–35 per day; even mid-range travellers rarely spend more than the equivalent of a modest European holiday.

Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang is one of the most beautiful towns in Asia — a UNESCO World Heritage city at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, its colonial-era main street lined with French-Lao wooden houses, temple compounds and excellent restaurants.

The tak bat alms-giving ceremony takes place at dawn every morning, when hundreds of saffron-robed monks move silently through the streets collecting rice from kneeling residents. It is one of the most moving daily rituals in Southeast Asia — visitors should observe respectfully from a distance.

The Royal Palace Museum houses the treasures of the Lao royal family; the cave temples of Pak Ou, reached by a river boat upstream on the Mekong, are a pilgrimage site of extraordinary atmosphere; and the Kuang Si waterfalls — three tiers of turquoise water tumbling into swimmable pools — are one of the highlights of any Laos itinerary.

The town’s night market on the main street is one of the best in Southeast Asia for handmade textiles, silver jewellery and local handicrafts at fair prices.

Vientiane

Vientiane is one of the most relaxed capital cities in Asia — a small, navigable city on the Mekong where the pace of life is gentle and the main sights are easily covered in a day or two.

Pha That Luang — the golden national stupa and the symbol of Laos — is the essential sight. The COPE Visitor Centre, documenting the impact of unexploded ordnance left from the Vietnam War era, is a sobering and important visit.

The riverfront promenade along the Mekong offers excellent sunset views across to Thailand, and the city’s café culture — a legacy of the French colonial period — produces some very good coffee and baked goods.

The Mekong and the Slow Boat

The two-day slow boat journey down the Mekong from the Thai border town of Huay Xai to Luang Prabang is one of Southeast Asia’s great travel experiences. Local wooden passenger boats carry travellers and freight through a landscape of forested hills, river villages and golden temple rooftops.

The journey takes two full days with an overnight stop at the small town of Pak Beng. It is not luxurious — wooden benches, occasional engine noise — but the scenery and the unhurried rhythm of river travel make it one of the most memorable ways to enter a new country.

The slow boat is a natural continuation of a Thailand trip via Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle border crossing, making the Thailand–Laos combination one of Southeast Asia’s classic overland routes.

Nature and Adventure

Vang Vieng, on the Nam Song River three hours north of Vientiane, has evolved from a party town into a genuine adventure sports destination. Rock climbing, kayaking, hot air ballooning and caving in the dramatic karst limestone landscape around the town are all excellent.

The Plain of Jars in Xieng Khouang province — a plateau scattered with thousands of ancient stone jars of unknown ceremonial purpose — is one of Southeast Asia’s most mysterious archaeological sites. The surrounding landscape still bears the craters of American bombing from the Vietnam War era.

The Bolaven Plateau in the south is Laos’s coffee-growing heartland, with waterfalls, minority villages and cool highland air that provides welcome relief from the lowland heat.

Food and Culture

Lao food is closely related to northern Thai cuisine but with its own distinct character. Sticky rice (khao niao) is the staple, eaten by hand and used to scoop up curries, grilled meats and dips. Larb — a salad of minced meat with fresh herbs, lime and toasted rice powder — is the national dish and one of the finest things to eat in the region.

Baguettes are a visible legacy of French colonial rule — filled with pâté, vegetables and chilli sauce, they make an outstanding breakfast for a few pence from street vendors in Luang Prabang and Vientiane.

Lao coffee from the Bolaven Plateau is outstanding — dark, rich and served with sweetened condensed milk in the traditional style. It is one of the best coffees in Southeast Asia.

When to Go

November to February is the best time to visit Laos — the dry season, with clear skies, cool nights and comfortable daytime temperatures of around 25–28°C. This is peak tourist season in Luang Prabang, so book accommodation in advance.

March to May is dry but increasingly hot, with temperatures regularly exceeding 35°C in the lowlands. The Mekong drops to low levels and some river journeys are restricted.

The wet season (June to October) brings lush, green landscapes and far fewer tourists. Roads in remote areas can become impassable after heavy rain, but the main tourist circuit between Vientiane, Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang remains accessible throughout.

Getting There

There are no direct flights from the UK to Laos. The most common connections are via Bangkok, Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, with total journey times of around 14–16 hours. Lao Airlines connects Vientiane and Luang Prabang to regional hubs.

Overland entry from Thailand via the Friendship Bridge at Nong Khai (opposite Vientiane) or from Huay Xai (for the slow boat) is straightforward and popular. Entry from Vietnam is also possible at several border crossings.

UK citizens can obtain a visa on arrival at Vientiane and Luang Prabang international airports, or an e-visa online before travel. The process is simple and the fee is modest.

Laos at a Glance

Book Your Laos Holiday

Search4Sun compares Laos holiday deals from the UK’s leading tour operators, with departures from local airports across the UK. From Luang Prabang cultural breaks to Mekong slow-boat adventures and multi-country Southeast Asia tours, we can help you find and book the right trip.

For last-minute Laos deals, check LastMinute.com. Laos combines perfectly with Thailand, Vietnam or Cambodia — visit our Asia holidays page for multi-country itinerary ideas.

Frequently Asked Questions About Laos Holidays

Is Laos worth visiting on its own or only as part of a bigger trip?

Luang Prabang alone justifies a dedicated trip. It is one of the most beautiful and atmospheric towns in all of Asia, and two or three days there combined with the Kuang Si waterfalls and Pak Ou caves make a genuinely memorable standalone break. That said, Laos works exceptionally well as part of a wider Southeast Asia itinerary — particularly with Thailand to the west or Vietnam to the east.

Is the Mekong slow boat really worth doing?

For travellers with the time — and it requires two full days — the slow boat is one of the great experiences of Southeast Asian travel. The scenery is spectacular, the pace is meditative, and arriving in Luang Prabang by river after two days on the Mekong creates a sense of arrival that no airport can match. Upgrade to a private cabin boat if available for a more comfortable experience.

How does Laos compare to Thailand for budget travellers?

Laos is slightly cheaper than Thailand in terms of food and local transport, but accommodation in Luang Prabang can be surprisingly pricey given the limited supply of quality guesthouses. Overall, a comfortable Laos trip on £30–45 per day is very achievable. The country lacks Thailand’s budget airline network, so getting around requires more planning.

Is Laos safe?

Laos is one of Southeast Asia’s safest destinations for tourists. Crime against visitors is very rare. The main safety concern is unexploded ordnance — Laos remains one of the most heavily bombed countries per capita in history — which affects rural areas away from established tourist paths. Always stick to marked trails when visiting remote areas and heed local warnings. Check FCDO travel advice before departure.