Cambodia and Laos — Tour Highlights and Travel Tips
Cambodia and Laos — Tour Highlights and Travel Tips
Combining iconic destinations like Angkor Wat and the beautiful city of Luang Prabang, you can enjoy a Cambodia and Laos tour featuring cultural highlights of both countries. If you are looking for adventure in nature, plan a hiking tour in the Cardamom Mountains or the Annamite Range. When you travel to Laos and Cambodia, make sure you leave plenty of time for food tours. Vientiane and Battambang are the culinary hubs of these countries, where you can taste some of the best South Asian cuisine.
Scroll below to find our tours to Cambodia and Laos.
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Traveling to Cambodia and/Vs Laos: An Overview
Thinking about planning a Cambodia and Laos tour? We’ve got all the basics covered for you to set you on your way.
Getting From Cambodia to Laos
By and large, the cheapest way to get from Cambodia to Laos is a combination of bus and train journey. However, this travel option will take you via Thailand and can take around 24 hours. If you’re short on time, you can take a flight from Siem Reap to Luang Prabang which takes around 1 hour 40 minutes.
Best Time to Visit Cambodia to Laos
The best time to plan your Laos and Cambodia itinerary is between November and March. You can avoid the rainy season, which is a lot cooler and less humid during this time. For more information, check out our guide on the best time to visit Cambodia.
Highlights of Cambodia and Laos Trip
- Dive into culture with some temple tours to sites such as Angkor Wat and Pha That Luang Vientiane.
- Spend time in nature at the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall and on the relaxing island of Koh Rong.
- Go on a food hunt at night markets of Phnom Penh and Luang Prabang. From snacks to big noodle bowls and everything in between, you’ll be full for days.
- Learn about the local history at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the National Museum of Luang Prabang.
Cambodia and Laos Travel Tips
- Bring a shawl or a scarf to cover your shoulders and knees while visiting temples on your Cambodia and Laos tour package.
- Mosquito repellent is going to be essential in many parts of your Cambodia and Laos trip, especially if you’re traveling near the Mekong River.
- Make sure you have cash handy in both Cambodia and Laos. Outside of the major cities, using cards is pretty much impossible, and even in the cities, small purchases like snacks and drinks require cash.
At a Glance: Cambodia Vs Laos
| Cambodia | Laos | |
| Annual visitors | 5.4 million | 3.4 million |
| Ideal duration | 2 weeks | 2 weeks |
| Transportation | Flights from the US to Cambodia often require at least one connection in Hong Kong, Seoul, Dubai, or Singapore. | Flights from the US to Vientiane often need two stops: one in a European hub like Zurich or Frankfurt and another in a major Southeast Asian location like Bangkok or Singapore. |
| Top destinations | Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, Koh Rong, Krong Kampot, Banteay Srei | Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Viet Vieng, Pakse, Thakhek, Nong Khiaw |
| Top activities | Temples, hiking, cruising, food tours, history, island getaways | Temples, hiking, food tours, archeology, history, waterfalls |
| Affordability | $ Cambodia is quite inexpensive, and you can easily explore for around USD 30 to USD 50 per day. | $ Laos is still definitely a budget destination compared to worldwide destinations, but it’s a little bit more expensive than Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. |