Both Cambodia and Laos end up on the same shortlists, and the honest answer depends on what you're optimising for. Here is how they compare on the things that actually decide it: what a day costs, how safe each rates, when to go, 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 |
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.