Short answer: Funny Riverside Backpackers is the one we would book first, a riverside hostel with a pool and the best sunset spot of the three. Downtown Backpackers Hostel is the cheap, central backpacker pick with banana pancakes for breakfast, and Sabai Sabai Luang Prabang Hostel has a rooftop pool and the most social bar. Compare your dates on Hostelz before you book.
If you’ve been searching for where to stay in Luang Prabang, look no further. Welcome to the only guide you’ll need to the 3 best hostels in Luang Prabang! It can be hard to choose a great hostel when there are so many choices.
This ancient city in northern Laos happens to have over 35 hostels on offer. From backpacker vibes to a chilled atmosphere. Laos is a great destination for budget travellers, too.
It’s amazing what can be enjoyed for a few coins. Think swimming pools and free breakfast.
I stayed at 6 different hostels in Luang Prabang; and these are my favorites!
Our favorite hostels in Luang Prabang are:
- Funny Riverside Backpackers - best for solo travellers
- Downtown Backpackers Hostel - best for backpackers
- Sabai Sabai Luang Prabang Hostel - best for party goers and female solo travellers
Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. They compare prices from Hostelworld, Booking.com and others with 1 click.
1. Funny Riverside Backpackers
2. Downtown Backpackers Hostel
3. Sabai Sabai Luang Prabang Hostel
Any questions about hostels in Luang Prabang?
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Ask all your questions and connect with like-minded wanderers 🔥
Planning to visit other parts of Laos? Check out our guide to the best hostels in Laos.
I took the famous Mekong River Cruise from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang. For 2 full days, I was sitting on the slow boat with no internet, 2 books, numerous podcasts and a bunch of awesome people to talk to.
On most backpacking plans for South-East Asia, the country of Laos is absolutely underrated, or not even included. We think this is a mistake and you will miss out. Laos is packed with amazing things to do, great food and culture, and people to meet.
Besides visiting Luang Prabang, the famous Vang Vieng and the capital of Vientiane are worth your time. The easiest way to get from Luang Prabang to Vientiane is the new speed train. Ask your hostel for tickets. You cannot buy them online, and you will need help from the locals or your hostel.
In this guide we share the best hostels in and around Luang Prabang.
This guide is perfect for YOU, when you…
- are tired of crappy hostels!
- want a social Hostel to actually meet people
- are happy to spend $1 to $2 more for a much better experience
You can find all 5 Star Hostels here and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here.
Quick Introduction to Luang Prabang, Laos
Average price for a bed: Hostels in Luang Prabang are CHEAP and cost 4€ – 9€ per night for a bed in a dorm, with the average sitting around 5€. Private rooms in hostels and guesthouses average about 14€, though they’re scarce. This is a rough average just to give you an idea.
Prices always depend on season and holidays. Cheapest way to sanity-check a date: run Luang Prabang through Hostelz, which pulls rates from the booking sites into one list, then book wherever it comes out cheapest. You can also check directly on Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.
Location: Hostels and budget accommodation in Luang Prabang are quite spread out. Essentially the very city center of Luang Prabang is around the post office – see our map. Here is pretty much anything you are looking for when backpacking Luang Prabang: Night Market, small supermarkets, restaurants, and bars. It is easy to get around by Tuk-Tuk or simply renting a scooter.
Private rooms: Dorms dominate here, and most Luang Prabang hostels are dorm-first. A few of our picks do offer privates, but the choice is limited and they book out, so don’t leave it late.
We suggest booking a small 4-6 bed dorm if you like quiet and privacy. Female solo travellers can opt for female-only dorms.
Couples remember:Netflix and Chill – The 10 Do’s and Dont’s.
Party Hostels in Luang Prabang: There is no big party scene in Luang Prabang, and so no party hostels to be found. Sorry! And there’s a concrete reason for it: this is a UNESCO town with a curfew that is actually enforced. Bars start winding down around 11pm and shut at 11:30pm sharp, and places that push it risk fines.
What you get instead is Utopia Bar, open until 11:30pm, ‘Zen by day, Groovy by night’. Eat, drink, relax by the Nam Khan and soak up what nightlife there is.
Then there’s the bowling alley, which sits outside the curfew zone and stays open until roughly 2am. Every backpacker in town gets herded there at half eleven, drink still in hand. It is genuinely one of the great travel experiences in Laos and nobody warns you about it beforehand.
🎁 New to Hostels? Read our guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. We especially recommend reading:
- How to book hostels? (and websites to save $)
- 23 clever items: the hostel packing list to download
- How does the Hostelworld App work exactly? Our Advanced Guide
The 3 Best Hostels in Luang Prabang are …
Let’s jump right into the coolest hostels in Luang Prabang.
- Funny Riverside Backpackers – best for solo travellers
- Downtown Backpackers Hostel – best for backpackers
- Sabai Sabai Luang Prabang Hostel – best for party goers and female solo travellers
These are our favorite hostels in Luang Prabang. We want to make your life even easier, so we put all accommodations on a map for you. We even added our own tips for favorite restaurants, things to see, and more.
1. Funny Riverside Backpackers
2. Downtown Backpackers Hostel
3. Sabai Sabai Luang Prabang Hostel
We put all three accommodations on the map, you will find the map at the end of the article.
Best Hostels in Luang Prabang Compared at a Glance
Everything in this guide, in one table.
| Hostel | Best for | Vibe | Area | Standout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funny Riverside Backpackers | Solo travellers, young travellers | Laid-back, social, riverside | 1.4 km from Mount Phousi | Pool, riverside views and free American breakfast |
| Downtown Backpackers Hostel | Backpackers, budget travellers | Basic, friendly, great value | 300m from the night market | Free banana pancakes and unlimited tea and coffee |
| Sabai Sabai Luang Prabang Hostel | Female solo travellers, groups, couples | Social, sporty, well renovated | 2 km out, 900m to the night market | Rooftop pool plus an on-site sports bar and bistro |
| Fan Dee | A quiet riverside stay | Bamboo-built, calm, bungalow-style | Banks of the Nam Khan River | Bamboo carvings throughout and a Lao-European restaurant |
How to Pick the Right Luang Prabang Hostel
All three are dorm-led and all three are social, so this comes down to what you want from your downtime.
- Solo travellers: Funny Riverside Backpackers. The pool, the river view and the crowd it attracts make it the easiest place to fall in with people.
- Budget travellers: Downtown Backpackers Hostel, the cheapest of the three and 300m from the night market.
- Female solo travellers: Sabai Sabai Luang Prabang Hostel, which has female-only dorms and a calm neighbourhood setting.
- Couples: Sabai Sabai Luang Prabang Hostel is the pick, since it’s the one with private rooms. Otherwise book a 4-bed dorm and accept the compromise.
- Groups: Sabai Sabai Luang Prabang Hostel again, for the rooftop pool and the sports bar to gather around.
- You want a pool: Funny Riverside Backpackers or Sabai Sabai Luang Prabang Hostel. In this heat that’s less of a luxury than it sounds.
- You want to walk everywhere: Downtown Backpackers Hostel, the most central of the three.
- Cheapest bed on your dates: compare them all on Hostelz rather than picking from a list.
Hostelgeeks Tip: Beds here cost a few euros, so the difference between the cheapest hostel and the best one is often less than a beer. Check the gap on Hostelz, then book the better one. In Luang Prabang, saving two euros a night is not a strategy.
The Best Hostels in Luang Prabang Are…
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | Funny Riverside Backpackers |
| 🙎♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: | Sabai Sabai Luang Prabang Hostel |
| 🥳 Party Hostel: | Funny Riverside Backpackers |
| 👩❤️👨Couple Hostel: | Sabai Sabai Luang Prabang Hostel |
| 👨👩👦 Family Hostel: | Sabai Sabai Luang Prabang Hostel |
| 🎒 Backpackers | Downtown Backpackers Hostel |
1. Funny Riverside Backpackers
Funny Riverside Backpackers is a laid-back hostel in Luang Prabang that blends comfort with social vibes. It sits 1.4 km from Mount Phousi, which makes it a good launchpad without putting you in the middle of the night-market crowds.
Rooms come with a private bathroom, air conditioning and a patio looking out at the mountains. Coffee on the patio in the morning is the best part of staying here, and that’s not a small thing on a trip built around slow boats and early starts. Dorm beds run around $5 to $6, so none of this costs what it sounds like it should.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Ready to make new friends and share stories?
The common areas are built for exactly that. Chill in the shared lounge, take the terrace on a breezy afternoon, or catch up with people over a drink at the on-site bar.
Fuel up with a complimentary American breakfast every morning before you set off to explore. There’s a 24-hour front desk, a tour desk, and currency exchange, which covers most of what you’ll need.
Location: You’re within easy reach of Luang Prabang’s top attractions, including the Night Market, the National Museum, and the Chao Anouvong Monument, as well as the UXO Laos Visitor Center and the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre. Luang Prabang International Airport is just 4 km away, with a paid shuttle service available for hassle-free transfers.
This is one of the coolest hostels in Luang Prabang for
- solo travellers
- young travellers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
2. Downtown Backpackers Hostel
Who said basic can’t be enjoyable? Downtown Backpackers Hostel is a nice option for budget travellers that enjoy banana pancakes.
Yep, the free breakfast is very filling thanks to the stack of banana pancakes and fruit salad.
Because when you’re on holiday, you can treat every morning like a weekend. There’s a song there, somewhere.
Those holiday vibes flow easily at our #2 recommendation because of the…
- Unlimited free tea & coffee
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Market on the doorstep
- Free Wi-Fi
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
As for the social side of things, there is a great shared space that includes a pool table and outside seating.
It’s a lovely area to retreat from the sun and wind down after exploring.
As for the rooms? There are mixed dorms available with 4, 6, 8 and 10-beds.
Hopefully, you’ll agree that although basic, they’re great value for money. Some inclusions:
- Little locker & shelf above bed
- Privacy curtain
- Ready-made bed
- Lamp & socket
- Big windows, generous space
Couples looking for a quieter stay should opt for the 4-bed dorm as there are no private options here.
Just remember: 18 Unwritten Hostel Rules you’ve to know
Location: This is a top location close to all of the main attractions, including the night market which is only 300m away.
This is one of the greatest hostels in Luang Prabang for
- Backpackers
- Budget travellers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
3. Sabai Sabai Luang Prabang Hostel
Sabai Sabai Luang Prabang Hostel gutted and rebuilt the place back in 2018, and the result still holds up better than a lot of newer hostels in town.
That’s because these guys take feedback seriously. Great, right?
After listening to their guests, they…
- Constructed a new rooftop pool
- Built en-suites for all dorm rooms
- Added private rooms
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Hold on a second… rooftop pool?!
Oh yes! Whilst cooling off from the hot Laos temperatures, enjoy a beautiful sunset from here.
As for the rooms, the current line-up is 4, 6 and 10-bed mixed dorms plus a 6-bed female dorm. Privates exist but they’re limited, so check availability rather than assuming.
We especially love the bunks. They’re super sturdy and have individual lamps that offer a warm light.
Whilst there are no curtains, the walls between beds offer a nice bit of privacy from your roomies.
This is one of the greatest hostels in Luang Prabang for social butterflies.
You’ll see what we mean when you check out the on-site sports bar and bistro.
All seating is outside and there is a great menu and fridge full of cold drinks. Grab a beer and make new friends – simple.
This is also where you can enjoy a free breakfast each morning to kick-start your day.
Location: the city of Luang Prabang is 2km away, so you can expect a safe, quiet neighbourhood. It’s just 900m to the night market.
This is one of the coolest hostels in Luang Prabang for
- Female solo travellers
- Groups
- Couples
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
What about the cheapest hostels in Luang Prabang?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels. But how do you actually find them? When you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you want to save every dollar, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Luang Prabang.
- Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Luang Prabang
- add your dates
- Order the listings by price
Simple as that.
Hostelz.com is a price comparison site for hostels. They list every single one in the world and tells you exactly which website is cheaper to use.
Another smart Tip: Check what is actually included, and what is excluded. Take a closer look at the location, too. A further location might mean more costs in transport.
Best Hostels in Luang Prabang for Solo Travelers?
What is seriously the best hostel in Luang Prabang for solo-travellers? Well, that’s easy: all of the hostels we’ve mentioned in this guide are great for solo travellers!
That’s because they’re all dorm-led with wonderful shared spaces that offer great socialising opportunities.
Yet if we had to pick our favourite, we’d go with Funny Riverside Backpackers.
For one thing, the hostel name represents the place perfectly.
- Swimming pool? Check
- Riverside views? Check
- Spot to see the sunrise? And the sunset!
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
More Hostels worth a mention
We’ve highlighted the best hostels in Luang Prabang, but there are a few more places worth your attention. Here’s one to consider.
Fan Dee Hostel
Fan Dee Hostel has a bamboo-built design that sets it apart from anything else on this list, and beds start around $3, which is about as cheap as Laos gets.
Two things to know upfront. It’s listed as a hotel or guesthouse rather than a hostel on most booking platforms, so don’t expect a big social scene. And while it holds a solid 8.8 on Hostelworld across 176 reviews, recent feedback has been mixed, so read the newest ones before you book.
They offer a restaurant serving both traditional Lao and European cuisine, as well as a lounge where you can unwind, and all of their rooms are decorated with intricate bamboo carvings.
The team are welcoming and provide a wide range of hospitality services throughout your stay.
Take a look at some inclusions:
- Security lockers
- Bicycle parking
- Ceiling fan
- Book Exchange
Check prices at: Hostelworld | Hostelz.com
Location: On the banks of the Nam Khan River, with 20 single beds spread across several bungalows and a wide view over the water.
This is one of the greatest hostels in Luang Prabang for
- Quiet, riverside stays
- Female Solo Travellers
Check prices at: Hostelworld | Hostelz.com
When to Visit Luang Prabang
November to February is the sweet spot. Dry, cool evenings, clear skies, and the best conditions for the waterfalls and the slow boat. It’s also peak, so book ahead.
March and April get hot, and this is burning season in northern Laos, when agricultural fires put a genuine haze over the region. If you came for the mountain views, avoid it.
May to October is the wet season. Greener, cheaper, fewer travellers, and the waterfalls at Kuang Si are at their most spectacular. Expect afternoon downpours rather than all-day rain.
One date worth planning around: Pi Mai, Lao New Year, in mid-April. The whole town turns into a water fight. Brilliant if you want it, chaotic if you don’t.
How Many Days Do You Need in Luang Prabang?
Three nights. That covers the temples and the old town, a day at Kuang Si waterfall, a sunrise alms-giving ceremony and a sunset climb up Phousi Hill.
Four if you want to add the Pak Ou caves or a slower day by the river. Plenty of people plan two nights here and end up staying five, because the town has that effect.
Getting There and Around Luang Prabang
By train: the Laos-China Railway is the fastest way in and out, and it’s changed travel here completely. Vientiane takes under two hours. The catch is the station, which is about 12 km east of the old town, roughly 30 minutes by shared minibus. Tickets are hard to buy online, so ask your hostel to sort them a day or two ahead.
By slow boat: two days down the Mekong from Huay Xai on the Thai border. It’s a classic for a reason and it’s still how a lot of backpackers arrive.
By air: Luang Prabang International is only about 4 km from town, with connections to Bangkok, Hanoi, Vientiane and a few Chinese cities.
Around town: walk. The old town peninsula is small and half the pleasure is wandering it. Tuk-tuks cover the rest, and a scooter is worth it for Kuang Si and the caves.
Is Luang Prabang Safe?
Very. Luang Prabang is one of the calmest, most relaxed towns in Southeast Asia, and the curfew means the streets are quiet well before midnight.
Ordinary sense still applies: use your hostel locker, don’t leave a bag on a tuk-tuk seat, and watch your drink like anywhere.
The two things genuinely worth flagging are scooters, since the roads out to the waterfalls are narrow and your insurance probably requires the right licence, and unexploded ordnance. Laos is the most heavily bombed country per capita in history. Stick to marked paths on rural walks and don’t go wandering through fields. The UXO Laos Visitor Center in town explains it far better than we can, and it’s worth an hour.
Any Discounts?
You can find all our hostel discounts worldwide here. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the freshest hostel discounts directly in your inbox. We even have special discount codes we only share in the newsletter.
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How to book?
The most popular booking platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld.com. On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.
We included some handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.
Read: Step-by-Step guide on how to book with Hostelworld
We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of Luang Prabang best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish and good hostels, secure your room/bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.
The coolest Hostel App you need comes as well from Hostelworld. It gives you super cool features like you can contact your hostel mates beforehand, ask questions, and make plans together. Find more details in our review of the app.
Scan the QR Code with your Smartphone to download the Hostelworld App from the App Store - like a real Hostel Geek!
Need an eSIM Card for Luang Prabang?
Get your eSIM Card with Airalo.com instantly online. It is easy to set up and cheap! Read our review of Airalo here.
No more searching for mobile shops. Get your eSIM Card for now and enjoy it instantly after landing in your new destination.
Our Favorite Hostels in Luang Prabang put on a map + sights
Let us have a look at the map. Below, we list all three best Luang Prabang hostels on a map.
Personally, we love to plan our trips with a map having all sights and potential hostels on it. We thought this map will help you with planning your trip too.
In Luang Prabang we absolutely enjoyed:
- Phousi Hill
- Wat Xiengthong
- Royal Palace Luang Prabang
- Night Market Luang Prabang
- Dara Market Luang Prabang
- Tat Sae Waterfalls
Any questions about hostels in Luang Prabang? 🤔
Join our Facebook Group!
Ask all your questions and connect with like-minded wanderers 🔥
FAQs
Here we share with you the most asked questions:
What is the best hostel in Luang Prabang?
[Funny Riverside Backpackers is our top pick, with a pool, riverside views and a social crowd. Sabai Sabai Luang Prabang Hostel is the better choice if you want a rooftop pool and private rooms.
How much does a hostel in Luang Prabang cost?
Around 4€ to 9€ per night for a dorm bed, averaging about 5€, with private rooms around 14€. Compare your dates on Hostelz, since the same bed is often priced differently across booking sites.
What is the best area to stay in Luang Prabang?
Around the old town peninsula and the night market puts you within walking distance of nearly everything. Hostels further out are quieter and usually have pools, but you'll need a tuk-tuk at night.
Are hostels in Luang Prabang safe?
Yes. This is one of the calmest towns in Southeast Asia and the hostels here have lockers. Scooter accidents on the roads out to the waterfalls are the bigger risk.
Are there party hostels in Luang Prabang?
No. The town has an enforced curfew and bars close at 11:30pm, so there's no party hostel scene. Utopia Bar and the late-opening bowling alley are where everyone ends up instead.
What is the best hostel in Luang Prabang for solo travellers?
Funny Riverside Backpackers. All three picks are dorm-led and social, but this one has the pool and the river view that pull people into the same space.
Which Luang Prabang hostel is best for female solo travellers?
Sabai Sabai Luang Prabang Hostel, which has female-only dorms, en-suite bathrooms and a quiet neighbourhood setting.
Do Luang Prabang hostels have private rooms?
Some do, but the choice is limited since most are dorm-first. 3. Sabai Sabai Luang Prabang Hostel is the one on this list with privates, and they book out.
How many days do you need in Luang Prabang?
Three nights covers the temples, Kuang Si waterfall, the alms-giving ceremony and sunset on Phousi Hill. Four if you want the Pak Ou caves too.
When is the best time to visit Luang Prabang?
November to February for dry, cool weather. Avoid March and April, which is burning season and brings serious haze across northern Laos.
How do I get from Vientiane to Luang Prabang?
The Laos-China Railway does it in under two hours. Tickets are hard to buy online, so ask your hostel to arrange them a day or two ahead.
How far is Luang Prabang train station from town?
About 12 km east, roughly 30 minutes by shared minibus. Factor that in, because it catches a lot of people out on departure day.
How do I get from Luang Prabang airport to town?
It's only about 4 km, so a tuk-tuk takes a few minutes. Several hostels also run a paid shuttle if you'd rather arrange it ahead.
Flights to Luang Prabang?
The most common way to get to Luang Prabang is by airplane or Slow Boat from Huay Xai (or Chiang Rai from Thailand).
Luang Prabang International sits about 4 km from the old town, with regional connections from Bangkok, Hanoi, Vientiane and several Chinese cities. Since the railway opened, plenty of travellers skip flying within Laos entirely and take the train instead.
We use Skyscanner and Omio.com to find cheap flights and good connections all over the globe.
Skyscanner has a bunch of cool features like Multi-City Trip. Instead of doing this research step-by-step, Skyscanner offers this flight planning tool.
More handmade Guides for you
We did the leg work for you and bring you more hostel guides to destinations:
- 3 best hostels in Vang Vieng, Laos
- 3 best hostels in Vientiane, Laos
- 3 best hostels in Hanoi, Vietnam
- 3 top hostels in Hong Kong
- 3 coolest hostels in Bangkok, Thailand
- 3 best hostels in Pai, Thailand
- best hostels in Chiang Rai, Thailand
- 3 best hostels in Manila, Philippines
- best hostels in Yangon, Myanmar
- best hostels in Siem Reap, Cambodia
- best hostels in Koh Rong, Cambodia
- best hostels in Kampot, Cambodia
- best hostels in Sihanoukville, Cambodia
- best hostels in Bagan, Myanmar
Over to you
Do you have any questions left, maybe doubts? Then please leave it in the comment below. We are very keen to help you - and actually you would even do us a favor!
Your question will help us to improve this Luang Prabang guide.
Last note: Our commitment
This is a genuine article to help you travel a bit smarter, and find the best place on a budget! We will never recommend you any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. We are constantly updating all our guides to keep them as fresh and accurate as possible.
Safe travels,
The Hostelgeeks
– – –
pin it for later
CLOSED: Sunrise Riverside Pool Hostel
Update: This hostel is permanently closed.
It was really no surprise that many people said Sunrise Riverside Pool Hostel was the best hostel in Luang Prabang. And we were inclined to agree. Not only was it clean and affordable, but there was also an outdoor pool and free breakfast included in the price!
You heard it here first: there was no hidden agenda. The super friendly team wanted to offer a memorable hostel that didn’t cost the earth. Nothing more, nothing less.
And boy did they manage to pull it off!
The pool was large enough for a proper swim and shaded from the scorching sun. Alongside that, there was plenty of space to sunbathe and relax in the big garden.
For a change of scenery, you could head up to the roofed terrace to enjoy views over the Nam Khan river. A top spot to relax.
There were only dorms here, ranging from 4-bed female to 8-16 bed mixed. Each room had:
- Ensuite bathroom
- Air-conditioning & fan
- Privacy curtain, lamp & socket per bed
- Lockers
- Free Wi-fi
You can admit it – you didn’t expect the dorms to be this swanky in Laos, right?
Reception was open 24/7 for all your needs and questions. The staff loved to share knowledge and get to know their guests. We love that.
Location: close to the must-see night market and Utopia bar just next door. All major sights were within walking distance.
This was one of the best hostels in Luang Prabang for
- Solo travellers
