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Traveling to Laos in the near future and struggling to put together your packing list? I got you! Packing can be a daunting task, especially if you haven’t visited the country you’re traveling to before and have no clue what to expect. Laos is a tropical destination year-round but it can get cold in the north of the country in the winter months with temperatures dropping to 5 degrees in the evening in Phongsali. In this post, I’ll provide you with the ultimate Laos packing list. It is the perfect starting point to create your own checklist so that you won’t forget anything. It is suitable for traveling for two weeks up to multiple months in Laos. Here we go!
Streets of Luang Prabang, Laos
Laos, often referred to as the “Land of a Million Elephants,” is a hidden gem in Southeast Asia that is often overlooked by travelers. Located between Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, and China, this enchanting country is a great choice for slow travelers who love to immerse themselves in local culture, away from the tourist masses of countries like Thailand.
One of the main draws of Laos is its stunning scenery, with lush jungles, cascading waterfalls, and the mighty Mekong River snaking through its heart. Exploring the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang, you can witness some well-preserved French colonial architecture, a vibrant night market, and some of the most beautiful temples in Southeast Asia.
Laos is also a paradise for adventure enthusiasts, offering trekking in the northern mountains, kayaking along the Mekong, and exploring mysterious caves like the Kong Lor Cave. The country’s culinary scene is a treat for foodies, even for vegans, with flavorful and aromatic dishes, such as sticky rice, Mekong seaweed crackers, (vegan) laap, and fresh spring rolls.
But what truly sets Laos apart is its warm and welcoming people who radiate a sense of tranquility that permeates every corner of the nation.
Laos experiences a tropical monsoon climate, characterized by distinct wet and dry seasons. The weather can vary somewhat depending on the region within the country, but in general, here’s what you can expect:
It’s important to note that regional variations in weather can be significant, with the southern parts of Laos being hotter and more humid than the northern regions due to their proximity to the equator.
When you plan a trip to Laos, it’s advisable to check the specific weather conditions for the region you intend to visit and pack accordingly. It can really get very cold in the north!
When you want to respect the culture and traditions when traveling to Laos, there are a few aspects to take into account. Here are some important things to be aware of that can impact your packing list!
Temples in Muang Ngoi and Luang Prabang
Things to take into account for your packing list concerning hiking, swimming and be outdoors in general in Laos:
View from Phadeng Peak in Nong Khiaw, Laos
If you are traveling to Laos between November and March, remember that the weather can get cold in the Northern parts of the country. I made this mistake myself when I traveled to Thailand for the first time in 2015.
In Pai, in the north of Thailand, the weather was unexpectedly cold in January and temperatures dropped to 10 degrees in the evening. Be aware of this when putting your packing list together and make sure to take at least a hoodie or a sweater.
It can get quite cold in the Phongsali province, the most northern part of Laos, and even places that lie a bit lower in the country like Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi get chilly in the evening during the winter months.
The choice between bringing a suitcase or a backpack to Laos depends on your travel style, preferences, and the type of activities you plan to engage in during your trip. Both options have their pros and cons!
A suitcase makes it easier to organize your stuff because of all the compartments and zippers and it’s ideal if you don’t prefer to carry the weight on your back.
The Wayks Globetrotter Bundle
A backpack is easier if you will regularly travel on uneven terrain. It is quite hard to take a suitcase on gravel roads or in the jungle and even to places where there are no elevators.
My go-to travel backpack is the Globetrotter Bundle from the German brand Wayks. Not only is this backpack made from sustainable and recycled materials, but this bundle includes every bag you might need on a trip. It consists of a travel backpack, a small backpack, a travel cube (that you can use for shoes or as a beauty case), and a sling that can be converted into a tote bag and a mini hip bag.
Check out my review of the Wayks Globetrotter Bundle to find out why I adore this sustainable backpack!
So, here we have come to the section about what to pack for Laos. I have included a clothing list for both males and females and additional things you need to take with you on your trip.
Note that this is a great list whether you are traveling to Laos for two weeks or months on end. It provides you with enough clothing for two weeks (you’ll only need to wash your underwear and socks) or months, with a regular laundry stop here and there.
There are plenty of clothes for sale at Luang Prabang Night Market
Here are the clothing items my boyfriend and I take with us whenever we travel to Laos or Southeast Asia in general. To make it easy for you, I included links to some of the products and gear that we personally use.
We try to travel sustainably so that our travels cause as little harm as possible to the environments we visit. That is why the brands I mention are mostly all responsible brands that operate their businesses in an ethical way!
Furthermore, note that you can buy clothing items very easily in Laos. Just go to one of the night markets in Vientiane, Luang Prabang or Vang Vieng and you can find elephant pants, colorful dresses, and more! This is also useful if you are planning to stay in Laos for a while and want to travel with carry-on luggage only.
This packing list can be suitable for carry-on luggage only if you leave out the electronics that I take with me for blogging. You will need good packing cubes though.
Here are the essential things to pack for Laos for female travelers:
I’m not going to elaborate too long here about brands and specific items because, well, I’m not a man and I have never packed a suitcase for a man! But here is a minimalist clothing packing list for a man for traveling in Laos.
Outerknown, Colorful Standard, and Patagonia are awesome clothing brands for men where you can find all the sustainable travel items you might need!
You can get 10% off your order with Colorful Standard if you book through this link!
Here are the websites I personally use whenever I travel to Laos:
Booking.com: For the best cheap guesthouses, homestays or small hotels
Hostelworld: To find the best hostels located in the cities
Homestay: For a unique immersive homestay experience in Luang Prabang
12GO and Bookaway: The best transport websites for long-distance buses and train travel in Laos
Loca: Uber and Grab don’t operate in Laos but Vientiane has its own ride-hailing app called Loca!
Skyscanner: For affordable flights to Vientiane or Luang Prabang
Viator and Get Your Guide: book all kinds of activities from a Kuang Si waterfall cruise to a private cave and jungle trekking in Vang Vieng!
Get your Visa for Laos online through the Evisa website. Do note that you cannot enter just any border with the Evisa. You can fly with an Evisa into Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Pakse and cross three borders with Thailand. They don’t accept the Evisa when you want to cross a land border coming from Vietnam, Cambodia, or China. It’s best to contact the Laotian embassies in these countries to obtain a visa.
If you’re looking for travel insurance, the one with the best benefits online is without a doubt Heymondo! It’s very easy to ask for a quote on the website and if you book with this link you’ll get 5% off!
Get access to mobile data straight away when entering the country with a Laos E-sim or an Asialink E-sim when traveling through multiple countries.
Here are the toiletries that I personally use when packing for Laos. One thing I can highly recommend and which I’m absolutely crazy about is my SURI toothbrush. It’s a sustainable sonic toothbrush that can be bought in a travel case and it is so much better than a bamboo toothbrush or any other sustainable alternative to plastic toothbrushes!
Check out my review of the SURI sustainable toothbrush. It also gets raving reviews on its website!
If you book through this link you will get 15% off!
The Wayks cube can be used as a beauty case
Here are the toiletries I pack for Laos:
A great online shop for sustainable toiletries is Ecco-Verde. At Ecco-Verde, you can find everything you need, from safety razors to reusable swabs, eco-friendly toothpaste, and reusable cotton pads.
I love to order the things I need on Ecco-Verde because they let you pick a few small sample products at the checkout for free!
Kuang Si Waterfalls: the most beautiful waterfall near Luang Prabang
Carrying a basic medical kit is highly recommended when traveling to Laos or any foreign country. While Laos has modern medical facilities in urban areas and popular tourist destinations, access to medical care can be limited in more remote or rural regions!
It’s very easy to buy any kind of medicine though. You don’t need a doctor’s prescription to buy painkillers or even antibiotics but it won’t be the same brands you are used to in your home country.
These are the things I put into my medical kit:
Not sure what activated charcoal is? Activated charcoal is commonly used in emergency medicine to treat certain types of poisoning. When ingested, it can adsorb toxins in the gastrointestinal tract, preventing them from being absorbed into the bloodstream. It comes in very handy for treating food poisoning while traveling abroad!
Pak Beng: the slow boat from Luang Prabang to Thailand
When traveling to Laos, ensure you have the essential documents and banking items to facilitate a smooth journey.
Your passport should still have at least a six-month validity from the date of entry. If you fly into Laos or enter the country overland from Thailand or China, you can apply online for an E-visa. If you’re coming from Vietnam or Cambodia, overland entry at the border is a bit trickier. It requires you to go to the embassy in these specific countries to apply for a visa for Laos and this can take some time.
Here are the travel documents I always carry with me:
As a travel blogger, packing also means taking a lot of electronics with me! I know that this isn’t useful for everyone, but there are probably some items in there that you will surely want to take with you, like your phone, cellphone charger and headphones!
Tham Chang Cave views in Vang Vieng, one of the most popular towns in Laos
These are the electronics I take with me whenever I travel:
Kaeng Nyui waterfall, Vang Vieng, Laos
To finish this post, here are some items I pack that don’t really belong in any of the other categories. A quick dry towel is an absolute must when traveling and you can find some georgeous and sustainably manufactured ones on the website of the brand Slowtide.
Hmong girls in Sam Meua, Laos
There you go! I hope you enjoyed this Laos packing list. It includes all the essential items for visiting Laos regardless if you are traveling for two weeks to months on end.
Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions or drop me a message through my contact page.
Also, don’t forget to check out my resources page with my favorite booking platforms and tips to start planning your trip. Additionally, have a look at my favorite travel gear if you want to pack even more consciously!
ENJOY!
Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links. If you click on them, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Hi! I am Annelies and this is Travelers & Dreamers, a blog about conscious travel which means traveling in a more mindful way, with a positive impact on the world and yourself!
On this website, I cover different topics like slow travel, plant-based food guides, responsible travel, sustainable packing, eco-travel, and more!
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