Southeast Asia is a backpacker's heaven for a reason. Travellers are drawn to the region for its mix of vibrant cultures and delicious local food, and for those on a shoestring budget, its affordability. Whether in Indonesia or Vietnam, you can get a pretty incredible vacation with quality accommodation, food, and experiences without draining your bank account.
So, we're not surprised that a Southeast Asian country just topped a new list of the cheapest countries to travel to in 2025. Travel insurance company HelloSafe studied the average daily budget required by travellers in 131 countries globally, taking into account expenses like accommodation, food, and transport and ranked them from cheapest to most expensive.
And the cheapest country to travel to in 2025? It's According to HelloSafe's research, the average daily budget needed in Laos is just 15.40 USD, almost 5 USD cheaper then Kazakhstan (No. 2 on the list). We did a little bit of our own research, and it turns out that accommodations in Laos start at just 7 USD a night on Agoda.com, and in pretty well-rated hostels or guest houses too. You can also find affordable local meals at 2 USD and rent a scooter for around 8 USD a day.
Of course, do expect prices to be steeper in tourist hotspots like the Laotian capital Vientiane and UNESCO World Heritage Site Luang Prabang. But don't let that stop you – these cities are still plenty affordable and packed with cultural sites and attractions that will make a visit worth it. Highlights include the Buddhist temple Wat Xiengthong and three-tiered Kuang Si Waterfall in Luang Prabang; or Pha That Luang in Vientiane, a gorgeous example of the French-colonial architecture present throughout the city.
The rest of Laos is still pretty undiscovered, though tourism is ramping up especially with the launch of the high-speed Laos-China railway in 2021. Our advice? Head there soon, and to gems like Nong Khiaw and Hin Boun for a budget-friendly trip without the tourist crowds.
