Looking for the best hostels in Luang Prabang? Well, I have compared the price, facilities, amenities, and location- so come find out the top backpackers for all types of travelers in this ultimate guide!
Luang Prabang is one of my favorite places in Laos. It may not be as such of a backpacker’s paradise as the popular Vang Vieng, though there are still plenty of great hostels in Luang Prabang.
Spend your days relaxing riverside, enjoying cheap beer, exploring the beautiful nature, and eating cheap street food from the awesome night market.
When traveling it is important to find a good place to rest your head. Whether you want to spend all night partying or find a quiet I will explain where exactly you should stay in Luang Prabang.
The gorgeous UNESCO World Heritage site of Luang Prabang is one of the prettiest cities in Laos. It is a quaint popular tourist town with plenty to see and do. Go explore the nearby Kuang Si Falls, visit the Pak Ou Caves up the Mekong River, and enjoy a spot of shopping at the night market.
It is easy to full 3 days in Luang Prabang with plenty of activities. Though, when it comes to hostels in Luang Prabang it can be a bit more of a difficult decision, as I will explain below.
That is why I created this guide on the best hostels in Luang Prabang!
With the help of this list, you’ll be able to see what to look for when booking a hostel in Luang Prabang! Making sure you can book a bed confidently, in a decent location, and for a good price.
List Of The Best Hostels In Luang Prabang
- Overall Best Hostel in Luang Prabang: Little Freedom Friendlys Place
- Best Hostel in Luang Prabang for Solo Travelers: Sunrise Riverside Hostel
- Best Hostel in Luang Prabang for Nature Lovers: Sa Sa Lao
- The Best Cheap Hostel in Luang Prabang – Friendly Backpacker Hostel
- Best Hostel for Females in Luang Prabang – Smile Luang Prabang Hostel
- Best Cheap Private Room in Luang Prabang – Singharat Guesthouse
How I Book Cheap Transport In Laos: 12Go Asia
How To Choose The Best Hostels In Luang Prabang
In my opinion, there is a bit of a limited range of hostels in Luang Prabang. Though, in saying that, I travel with a more glampacker style and the hostels available here just don’t meet want I would typically book.
For example, I would happily spend a couple of extra dollars to sleep in a sturdy wooden bunk bed than those typical metal bunks which shake every time the other person rolls over. Currently, there are no hostels that offer this in Luang Prabang, so I usually splurge a bit for a private room when I am here.
Nonetheless, there are still some decent options for hostels thanks to having good amenities. Whether you are looking for river views, pools, a comfortable social area, or an awesome location.
So when choosing the best hostels in Luang Prabang, some things I took into account are:
Price
Unfortunately, prices in Laos can be a bit higher than in neighboring Thailand, Vietnam, or Cambodia. This is especially so with private rooms, where it is easy to spend upwards of $20.00 per night.
Though for a hostel dorm, you should budget between $4.00- $10.00 per night. This is perfect for travelers on a budget who do not mind sharing a room with other people.
Location
Accommodation in Luang Prabang can be quite spread out and so can popular activities. Kuang Si Falls is at least a 40-minute drive outside of the city center and the popular backpacker hangout Utopia is a 15-minute walk.
Essentially the middle of the city is around the post office. Here you will find the intersection for the Night Market, a supermarket, and plenty of restaurants. The further away you are the cheaper the cost of accommodation gets and there are always tuk-tuks to help you get around.
Amenities
Even though the dorm rooms are not always great in Luang Prabang, many of the hostels have some awesome amenities to get the most bang for your buck. Booking a hostel with free breakfast and water will help save a little bit extra each day. Some hostels even include free coffee and tea!
For those looking for somewhere to cool off in the middle of the day a couple of the hostels have pools! This is the perfect place to meet some new friends to explore the surrounding area.
The last thing I think is important to note is quite a few hostels around Luang Prabang turn off the air conditioning during the day. I guess this forces you to go out and explore, though I will leave it up to you whether you book one of these hostels.
The 11 Best Hostels In Luang Prabang, Laos
Overall Best Hostel In Luang Prabang– Little Freedom Friendlys Place
The ultimate backpacker hangout around, Little Freedom Friendlys Place is the overall best hostel in Luang Prabang. You will enjoy the smaller dorm sizes here, ensuring you get a good night’s sleep. No longer do you need to listen to 14 other people snoring around you with 6-bed air-conditioned dorm rooms.
The breakfast here is absolutely delicious and you are able to choose from a menu that provides plenty of options. Enjoy the pool during the daytime and make some new friends to travel with.
The staff will be more than happy to help organize tours to the popular Kuang Si Falls or onward travel. All these reasons and more make Little Freedom Friendly Place the best hostel in Luang Prabang.
-
- $$
- Swimming Pool
- Free Tea, Coffee & Water
- Motorbike Rental
- Tour Desk
- 900 meters from the Night Market
CHECK BEST PRICES
Honorable Mention Best Hostel In Luang Prabang – Chill Riverside Hostel & Cafe
The Chill Riverside Hostel & Cafe is a little bit of an icon on the hostel scene here in Luang Prabang. That is why it deserves an honorable mention in this best hostel in Luang Prabang backpacker guide.
There is a gorgeous river backdrop making the 1100-meter walk into the main town well worth it. There is no better place to eat your breakfast than on the terrace overlooking the river and watching the world pass by.
It is close to the popular party hangout of Utopia, though far enough away to not hear the music during the night. There are clean and comfortable dorm rooms featuring individual power sockets and lights.
Chill Riverside Hostel & Cafe is perfect for all types of travelers, ensuring you have the perfect stay in Luang Prabang.
-
- $$
- Free Water
- Cafe Onsite
- Social Areas
- 1100 meters from the Night Market
CHECK BEST PRICES
Best Hostel in Luang Prabang for Solo Travelers –Sunrise Riverside Hostel
One of the best hostels in Luang Prabang for solo travelers is Sunrise Riverside Hostel. This is the ideal place if you are looking to meet some new people and socialize. With plenty of common areas, you will have no problem finding like-minded travelers to mingle with throughout your stay.
The pool provides the perfect place to cool down during the daytime Laos heat. Unfortunately, the internet here is not the best, though this is a common occurrence in Laos.
The dorm rooms feature privacy curtains and there are rooms of all sizes depending on your budget. This is also in a premium location for the popular backpacker hangout of Utopia.
This is the main party place for travelers in Luang Prabang so it is nearly impossible to not make new mates during your stay.
- $$
- Motorbike Rental
- Lounge Area With Netflix
- Onsite Laundry Facilities
- 1000 meters from the Night Market
CHECK BEST PRICES
Best Hostel For Nature Lovers in Luang Prabang: Sa Sa Lao
If you are looking for a unique stay in Luang Prabang and to get away from the city, there is no better option than Sa Sa Lao. This is no doubt the best hostel for nature lovers in Luang Prabang.
It may be a 2-kilometer journey from the center of town, though tuk-tuks around here are cheap enough not to cause any issues. There is also one free bus into town each day.
Located in a lush green garden and with the backdrop of a relaxing river, there is no better place to chill. Lastly, the dorm room is located in a beautiful bamboo hut with wooden accents and mosquito nets.
- $$
- On-Site Restaurant
- Nature Lovers Paradise
- 2300 meters from Night Market
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Best Cheap Hostel in Luang Prabang – Friendly Backpacker Hostel
Budget travelers rejoice, we have found the best cheap hostel in Luang Prabang. Welcome to Friendly Backpacker Hostel where you can save your money and still get a decent night’s sleep!
The rooms are comfortable, with air conditioning to keep you cool during those hot Laos nights. Though, a big plus that sets Friendly Backpacker Hostel apart from the rest is the extremely friendly staff (hence the name).
They will be more than helpful to assist which booking tours, onward travel, and any recommendations you would like about Luang Prabang.
- $
- Free Breakfast
- Friendly Staff
- Privacy Curtain
- 500 meters from the Night Market
CHECK BEST PRICES
Vongprachan Backpackers Hostel
One of the best cheap hostels in Luang Prabang is Vongprachan Backpackers Hostel. Perfect for travelers on a budget with extremely affordable rooms, actually they are one of the cheapest on this list.
Vongprachan Backpackers Hostel provides an awesome breakfast for guests and has a well-equipped social area, perfect if you are wanting to meet new people (there is even a pool table). The friendly staff will be more than happy to help you book any tours or onward travel.
- $
- Free Breakfast
- Tour Desk
- Pool Table
- 1000 meters from the Night Market
CHECK BEST PRICES
Best Hostel for Females in Luang Prabang – Smile Luang Prabang Hostel
Set one street back from the magical Mekong River, Smile Luang Prabang Hostel is the best hostel for female travelers in Luang Prabang. There is a delicious breakfast included each morning which both choices if you like something sweet or savory. Free tea and coffee are available all day.
Smile Luang Prabang Hostel offers female dorm rooms that are clean and have a modern design. They feature lockers for storage, privacy curtains, individual lights, and power sockets, as well as each room, has its own bathroom. No need to wonder about the halls in the middle of the night anymore.
- $$
- Free Breakfast
- Female Only Dorms
- Free Tea & Coffee
- 750 meters from the Night Market
How I Book Cheap Transport In Laos: 12Go Asia
Best Cheap Private Room in Luang Prabang – Singharat Guesthouse
Easily one of the best cheap private rooms in Luang Prabang in Singharat Guesthouse. If you’re looking for a quiet and relaxing place to rest your head Singharat Guesthouse is the perfect option for you.
All rooms come with a wardrobe, air conditioning, a private bathroom, and a kettle, ensuring you have a perfect stay. The only real downside to this guesthouse is that is it 850 meters from the main center of town. Though, if you do not mind a little bit of a walk this could be the perfect option.
- $$
- Free Water
- Clean And Modern Design
- 850 meters from the Night Market
CHECK BEST PRICES
Villay Vanh Place House
Villay Vanh Place House is a great affordable option in Luang Prabang for travelers. This guesthouse has everything you need for a comfortable stay and it even includes free breakfast!
The rooms have air conditioning, a television, a private bathroom, and more. There is also a balcony with seating to watch the world pass by. Again, the main negative with the guesthouse is that it is 1100 meters away from the middle of the city.
Unfortunately, if you are looking for an affordable private room in Luang Prabang you will have to sacrifice the location.
- $$
- Pool
- Breakfast Included
- 1100 Meters from the Night Market
CHECK BEST PRICES
More Best Hostels In Luang Prabang
Aham Backpackers Hostel
This is a great budget hostel in Luang Prabang for those travelers trying to save their LAK. It is a little bit of a walk from the main center of town, though it is a super easy walk (nice and flat). There is also a super awesome Australian Bar/Restaurant around the corner called Aussie Sports Bar.
If you are a bit of a gym buff you will love the on-site gym with plenty of equipment to help work off those delicious Luang Prabang baguettes. In the dorm rooms here you will find a privacy curtain, light, and power socket, all vital to any traveler on the road.
- $
- Free Breakfast
- Privacy Light
- 650 meters from the Night Market
CHECK BEST PRICES
Downtown Backpackers Hostel 2
With great staff and awesome common areas, you will have no problem making friends at Downtown Backpackers Hostel 2. You will be in for a comfortable night’s sleep as each dorm bed has individual lights, power sockets, lockers, and even fans! No more sweaty nights tossing and turning trying to sleep.
No matter what type of traveler you are, there is no doubt you will love your stay at Downtown Backpackers Hostel 2, one of the best hostels in Luang Prabang!
- $$
- Free Breakfast
- Clean & Modern Rooms
- 450 meters from the Night Market
CHECK BEST PRICES
So Where To Stay in Luang Prabang?
In my opinion, Luang Prabang is a must-visit destination for any traveler in Laos. It may not be the ultimate party place, though it is surrounded by amazing nature, has delicious food, and has friendly locals. So with the help of this list of the best hostels in Luang Prabang, you will know exactly where to stay.
Do you own or work for a hostel and want to be featured? Let us know over at [email protected]
How I Book Cheap Transport In Laos: 12Go Asia
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Want more Laos Inspiration? Check out….
- VISIT KUANG SI FALLS, LUANG PRABANG
- TAKING THE SLOW BOAT TO LAOS
- VISIT BLUE LAGOON THREE IN VANG VIENG, LAOS
- RIVER TUBING IN VANG VIENG, LAOS
- HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO TRAVEL IN LAOS?
- 2 WEEKS IN LAOS ITINERARY
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. So, if you click on it and purchase something, I get a small percentage at no extra cost to you. As always all opinions are my own and your support is much appreciated.
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The hostels in Luang Prabang seem alright if you have’t had the luxury of enjoying all the fancy ones in Thailand!