Neither is meaningfully cheaper: both run around €30 a day. Which means the decision comes down to everything else — how safe each rates, when you can travel, and what each one is genuinely good at.
Cambodia is anchored by Angkor Wat and has a coastline with islands; Laos is landlocked and built around the Mekong, the mountains and Luang Prabang. Cambodia's tourist route is the more established and the easier to travel fast. Laos is the slower country, which is the reason most people who prefer it prefer it.
| 🇰🇭 Cambodia | 🇱🇦 Laos | |
|---|---|---|
| Daily cost | ~€30 | ~€28 |
| Safety score | 72/100 | 75/100 |
| Best time to go | Winter, Spring | Winter, Spring |
| Climate | Tropical | Tropical |
| Best for | Culture, Nature, Adventure | Culture, Nature, Adventure |
| Suits | Solo travellers, Couples, Groups of friends | Solo travellers, Couples, Groups of friends |
| Budget level | Budget | Budget |
The safety scores are general indicators, last reviewed in August 2026. They are not travel advice: conditions change, and official advisories often flag specific regions rather than whole countries. Check your own government’s advice before you book.
On-the-ground spending only — flights aren't included, and they often matter more than the daily rate.
| Trip length | Cambodia | Laos | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| A long weekend (3 days) | ~€90 | ~€84 | €6 |
| One week | ~€210 | ~€196 | €14 |
| Two weeks | ~€420 | ~€392 | €28 |
🇰🇭 Cambodia. Angkor Wat at sunrise, floating villages and the most humbling temples in Southeast Asia.
🇱🇦 Laos. Slow boats on the Mekong, Luang Prabang's monks at dawn, Kuang Si waterfalls and zero crowds.