One can easily forget time in Luang Prabang, the city is so beautiful and it’s so laidback. Doing nothing seems to be the norm while seeping your favorite fruitshake and staring at the majestic Mekong River. Heck, I spent 27 days in what I consider as the Most Beautiful City in Southeast Asia.
Doing nothing though for a long time triggers boredom. But I converted my boredom to a more productive activity. I bought almost a dozen of domains and I started building them while I was in Luang Prabang. I shared with you guys that this trip is also my journey towards learning new skills, competencies and building sources of passive income. I really don’t want to go back to my old boring corporate life (regardless of how much it used to give me). I’d rather work on my own websites remotely in any part of the world.
I opted to travel slower to make this dream a reality. Travelling slower gives me enough time to visit places I’m interested to see and to work on my online projects as well. Travelling slower also gave me a bargaining edge when it comes to accommodation. Hostel owners are very much to willing to slash the price of their rooms for long term customers especially now that I’m travelling during the off peak season.
Anyway, here’s how much I spent in Luang Prabang, Laos.
Bear in mind that this cost does not include the transportation from Sapa to Dien Bien Phu because I already included that in my expense report for Sapa.
Accommodation
The room cost 50,000 Kip a night or 25,000 Kip per person. During high peak season, that same room might ost you around 80,000 Kip.
Food and Drinks
Food and drinks consist of plain baguette, baguette sandwiches, noodles, fruit shakes, vegetarian buffets and occasional beer and grilled fish.
I was able to save a lot on drinks because the hostel that I stayed in offers free drinking water, tea and coffee for all their guests.
Transportation
I did not spend anything on transportation within Luang Prabang except for renting a bike for two days.
I bought the bus ticket directly from the station and it cost 145,000 Kip per person. If you buy it through any travel agencies, the price would be around 180,000 – 200,000 Kip.
Transportation cost from Luang Prabang up to Chiang Khong border is included in this report but transportation cost from Chiang Khong to Chiang Rai will be included in my Thailand expense post.
Miscellaneous
Internet is also free from the same hostel.
I only paid for the laundry once and after that, I did the laundry myself. I was able to save some money by washing my own clothes.
I spent a chunk of my budget towards an English Workbook that I donated and to a gift package I sent to my friends in Manila.
I thought travelling and staying in Luang Prabang would cost a lot but I was wrong. It could be cheap especially if you travel during their off peak season.
“Travelling does not need to be expensive”
Oh my gosh that is a beautiful building. I can’t believe the cost of your room – so cheap!!! I told my daughter about your website and how you support your travel throughout Asia. She is going to Viet Nam in a couple of months to visit the Mekong Delta so I was excited to note the same river in Laos too! Keep up the great posts! W.C.C.
‘split the cost with a friend and it saved me a lot of money not too mention that its low season
thanks for the encouraging words 
Traveling really doesn’t need to be expensive. I’m wishing that I had your expenses for my last trip though. I went through Ireland and spent a lot more than usual.
not bad for 27 days! galing mo, bro! Hopefully, you’re still on the road when i go backpacking-long time again!