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Economic Times
11-08-2025
- Economic Times
Not Vietnam or Thailand. At Rs 1,414 per day, another country is the cheapest travel destination in southeast Asia
Laos has emerged as the most affordable travel destination in Southeast Asia for 2025, with an average daily cost of just Rs 1,414. Recognized by Time Out magazine and other global travel sources, Laos offers budget-friendly accommodation, food, and transport compared to more popular spots like Thailand and Vietnam. Its natural beauty, cultural experiences, and low prices make it an ideal choice for travelers seeking value without compromising on quality. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Laos Tops the Affordability Chart What Makes Laos So Affordable? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Quiet Destination with Growing Popularity Why Travelers Should Consider Laos in 2025 Southeast Asia has long been a favorite region for Indian travelers seeking affordable international holidays. While countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia have traditionally been considered budget-friendly, recent reports highlight Laos as the most economical option for to a recent Time Out magazine report, Laos stands out as the cheapest travel destination in Southeast Asia with an average daily expense of only £12 (around Rs 1,414). This modest budget covers accommodation, food, and transportation — allowing travelers to enjoy rich experiences without recognition aligns with a global ranking by Travel and Tour World, backed by research from the Canadian financial platform HelloSafe, which named Laos the world's most budget-friendly country to visit in costs in Laos remain remarkably low across the board. Accommodation options such as hostel beds in popular tourist hubs like Luang Prabang and Vientiane can be found starting from £3 (Rs 353) per night, with even cheaper options in Vang Vieng at approximately £1.50 (Rs 176). Street food is widely accessible and inexpensive; a plate of sticky rice with grilled pork can cost less than £1 (Rs 117).Local transport, including buses and minivans connecting major cities, is priced below £4.50 (Rs 529), while renting a motorbike for a day costs around £4.70 (Rs 553). The newly opened Laos–China Railway offers a scenic and affordable route between Vientiane and Vang Vieng at approximately £6 (Rs 706).Entry fees for popular tourist sites are also budget-friendly. For instance, visiting Kuang Si Falls and the adjacent Bear Rescue Centre costs just about £2.30 (Rs 270), making sightseeing accessible to most is often described as a serene and less commercialized alternative to the busier tourist hotspots in the region. Its unhurried pace, natural beauty — including rivers, mountains, and waterfalls — and genuine cultural experiences appeal to travelers seeking something off the beaten path. According to the Vientiane Times, international arrivals in Laos increased by 11% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous year, with over 1.2 million visitors generating $426 million in tourism revenue. Domestic tourism is also on the rise, with nearly double the local trips recorded in the same Vietnam and Cambodia remain affordable with daily travel budgets around £15 (Rs 1,768), and Malaysia and Indonesia slightly higher at approximately £19 (Rs 2,239), Laos offers unmatched value at £12 per day. Thailand, traditionally known for its budget travel appeal, comes in at around £24 (Rs 2,829), making Laos notably budget-conscious travelers seeking authentic cultural immersion, Laos presents an ideal choice. It offers a combination of affordability, scenic landscapes, and warm hospitality that is increasingly rare as tourism expands across Southeast Asia. Whether exploring ancient temples, enjoying street food, or taking leisurely river rides on the Mekong, visitors can experience much more in Laos without stretching their international recognition grows, Laos remains a standout destination for those looking to maximize their travel experience while keeping costs low. For anyone planning a trip to Southeast Asia this year, Laos is worth serious consideration as the region's most affordable and enriching travel option.
The Irish Sun
07-08-2025
- The Irish Sun
The often-forgotten country named the world's cheapest place to travel this year with £5 hotels and 80p beers
Check out the full list of the cheapest countries to travel to in 2025 BARGAIN BREAK The often-forgotten country named the world's cheapest place to travel this year with £5 hotels and 80p beers LOOKING for a bargain break? A country in Southeast Asia has been named the cheapest place to travel to in 2025. From affordable drinks and food to hotel stays for £5, the budget for anyone travelling to Laos is just over £10 a day. Advertisement 5 Laos in Southeast Asia is the most affordable country for 2025 Credit: Alamy 5 There are plenty of beautiful sites like waterfalls as well as cheap beers, food and hotels Credit: Alamy Win one of 8 incredible holidays to the Caribbean, Mexico and Greece by voting in The Sun's Travel Awards - enter to win here. 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, Laos came out as being the cheapest. It's not necessarily as popular as its neighbours like Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia. Advertisement But thanks to its affordability, Laos is definitely a worthy contender for your next trip. The average daily budget needed in Laos is just $15.40 (£11.52). You can pick up meals from $2 (£1.50) - and staples include sticky rice, larb (which is a spicy meat salad), and green papaya salad. You can grab a drink for a bargain price too, on street stalls and markets you can get a local beer like Beerlao for as little as 80p. Advertisement As for where to stay, this won't break the bank either. On Sun Travel found a hotel in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, for two people for £5 per night. I ticked off bucket list item on holiday in Laos - it was so cool but I have warning for women doing the same 5 There are plenty of temples and statues to see too Credit: Alamy 5 The Kuang Si Falls is the top-rated site on Tripadvisor Credit: Alamy Advertisement It has free Wi-Fi, a bar, 24-hour front desk, restaurant, airport transfer, room service and breakfast included. There's lots to do in Laos too, from visiting beautiful temples to waterfalls and religious sites. According to Tripadvisor, the top things to do in Laos include seeing the Kuang Si Falls. The water runs into turquoise pools and you can even swim in some. Advertisement One visitor commented: "No visit to Laos is complete unless a visit is made to the Kuang Si Falls, one of the most beautiful cascading waterfalls anywhere in this world." Other popular spots include the serene Buddha Park which has lots of religious statues. Some visitors decide to hike Mount Phousi which is a great spot for sunrise or sunset views. The capital of Vientiane will be a busier spot for tourists, so for anyone seeking quiet head to the likes of Luang Prabang. Advertisement The town of Vang Vieng along the Nam Song River has lots of water-based activities and is a great place to explore caves and lagoons. As for the best time to visit Laos, it's during the dry season which is from November to April. Temperatures tend to be between 20 and 30C and there's minimal rainfall too While you can't fly directly to Laos from the UK, you can make your way there via Bangkok. Advertisement From there it takes just over an hour to reach Vientiane. One man who sold everything to go travelling gets to see the world for £35 a day and lists his most affordable countries along the way. Plus, overlooked Asian country with quiet beaches and cheap attractions gets first TUI hotel. The 15 cheapest countries in the world to travel in 2025 Laos Kazakhstan Rwanda Ghana Mongolia Armenia Burkina Faso Georgia Mali Myanmar Cuba Moldova India Malawi Nepal 5 Laos is the most affordable country of 2025 Credit: Alamy
The Sun
07-08-2025
- The Sun
The often-forgotten country named the world's cheapest place to travel this year with £5 hotels and 80p beers
LOOKING for a bargain break? A country in Southeast Asia has been named the cheapest place to travel to in 2025. From affordable drinks and food to hotel stays for £5, the budget for anyone travelling to Laos is just over £10 a day. 5 5 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, Laos came out as being the cheapest. It's not necessarily as popular as its neighbours like Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia. But thanks to its affordability, Laos is definitely a worthy contender for your next trip. The average daily budget needed in Laos is just $15.40 (£11.52). You can pick up meals from $2 (£1.50) - and staples include sticky rice, larb (which is a spicy meat salad), and green papaya salad. You can grab a drink for a bargain price too, on street stalls and markets you can get a local beer like Beerlao for as little as 80p. As for where to stay, this won't break the bank either. On Sun Travel found a hotel in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, for two people for £5 per night. I ticked off bucket list item on holiday in Laos - it was so cool but I have warning for women doing the same 5 5 It has free Wi-Fi, a bar, 24-hour front desk, restaurant, airport transfer, room service and breakfast included. There's lots to do in Laos too, from visiting beautiful temples to waterfalls and religious sites. According to Tripadvisor, the top things to do in Laos include seeing the Kuang Si Falls. The water runs into turquoise pools and you can even swim in some. One visitor commented: "No visit to Laos is complete unless a visit is made to the Kuang Si Falls, one of the most beautiful cascading waterfalls anywhere in this world." Other popular spots include the serene Buddha Park which has lots of religious statues. Some visitors decide to hike Mount Phousi which is a great spot for sunrise or sunset views. The capital of Vientiane will be a busier spot for tourists, so for anyone seeking quiet head to the likes of Luang Prabang. The town of Vang Vieng along the Nam Song River has lots of water-based activities and is a great place to explore caves and lagoons. As for the best time to visit Laos, it's during the dry season which is from November to April. Temperatures tend to be between 20 and 30C and there's minimal rainfall too While you can't fly directly to Laos from the UK, you can make your way there via Bangkok. From there it takes just over an hour to reach Vientiane. Plus, overlooked .
South China Morning Post
17-07-2025
- South China Morning Post
Philippines' ‘least safe' travel ranking prompts backlash, Canadian firm apologises
Canadian travel insurance comparison firm has issued a formal apology and withdrawn a controversial ranking that labelled the Philippines as the least safe country in the world – a designation that provoked sharp condemnation from the Philippine government and tourism industry. HelloSafe, which had published its '2025 Safety Index' in early June, scored the Philippines 82.32 – placing it at the bottom of a list measuring safety through indicators such as natural disasters, healthcare, societal violence and militarisation. The higher the score, the less safe a country was deemed to be. On June 19, the Department of Tourism issued a strongly worded statement criticising the report's credibility and impact, with Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco saying the index had 'caused serious and lasting harm'. 'What was presented as an objective safety index was, in fact, built on questionable data,' she said, warning that such narratives could undermine the country's tourism industry and livelihoods. 'Moreover, a thorough examination of HelloSafe's websites reveals a focus on driving travel insurance sales rather than ensuring accurate safety assessments as it clearly lacked full methodology disclosure or identifiable data sources.' In a public apology issued on July 15, HelloSafe announced it had suspended the publication of the index pending a 'full audit of the methodology and criteria'. The company acknowledged the backlash and said its intent had been misunderstood.
Hindustan Times
18-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
‘Asia's leading beach destination' named world's most dangerous country to travel. Not Thailand, Malaysia
British website HelloSafe has released a ranking of the world's most dangerous countries to travel, and an Asian beach destination tops the list. HelloSafe analysed 35 different criteria, divided into five categories, to come up with the rankings. These categories included the occurrence of natural disasters, violence in society, health infrastructure and more. Their 'travel safety index' ranks nations on a scale from 0 to 100, with 100 being the most dangerous. The Philippines was named the world's most dangerous to travel, according to the HelloSafe rankings. They attributed it to ''high levels of violence within society.' Interestingly enough, this archipelagic country was also named "Asia's Leading Beach Destination" at the 2024 World Travel Awards. Despite being named world's most dangerous country to travel to, the Philippines remains a favourite among tourists, thanks to its beautiful beaches and coral reefs. In 2024, it received 5.4 million foreign tourists. This year, the Philippines also introduced a visa-free policy for Indian tourists. The list of the world's most dangerous countries was topped by Philippines and followed by Colombia and Mexico. India placed fourth on the list, above Pakistan - which took the 10th spot. Here is a look at the world's most dangerous countries, as per HelloSafe: Philippines (82.31) Colombia (79.21) Mexico (78.42) India (77.86) Russia (75.65) Yemen (74.6) Indonesia (72.94) Somalia (70.8() Mozambique (69.69) Pakistan (68.03) Within Asia, the Philippines, India and Indonesia were named as the least safe countries to travel to. On the other hand, Singapore stood out with a score of 19.99, making it the second safest country in the world, behind only Iceland. No other country from Asia made it to the top 10 of the world's safest countries to travel. (Also read: 10 million tourists visited Asia's 'most-loved country' in Q1; more than Thailand, Indonesia)
