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.
Our selection is sure to excite.
Planning to visit other parts of Laos? Check out our guide to the best hostels in Laos.
Your Shortcut:
- Sunrise Riverside Pool Hostel - best for solo travellers
- Downtown Backpackers Hostel - best for backpackers
- Fan Dee 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.
On most backpacking plans for South-East Asia, the country of Laos is absolutely underrated, or not even included. We think, this is mistake and you will miss out. Laos is packed with amazing things to do, great good and culture, and people to meet.
Besides visiting Luang Prabang, the capital of Vientiane is 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/ 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
What we cover in this article?
Staying at one of these hostels? ❤️
Share your photo and tag us @hostelgeeks on Instagram.
It’s time to get your Zen on and enjoy the beautiful Mekong River and many Buddhist temples in the area. Within no time you will fall in love with Luang Prabang, like one of our readers did unexpectedly.
And if that’s not enough, we have a fantastic 5 star hostel in nearby Vientiane, Sailomyen Cafe & Hostel. You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here.
Quick Introduction to Laung Prabang, Laos
Average price for a bed: Hostels in Laung Prabang are CHEAP and cost 3€ – 5€ per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room starts from 10€ up to 14€ per night. This is a rough average just to give you an idea.
Prices always depend on season and holidays. Please always check exact rates on Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.
Location: Bostels and budget accommodation in Luang Prabang are widely 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: Unfortunately, private rooms are not really common in Luang Prabang hostels. As you will see, none of our top 3 hostels have private rooms. However, many of the mixed dorms have great beds including privacy curtains and lockers.
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: 10 Do’s and Don’ts to Sex in Hostels. If you really need that private room, ThaViSouk Family Home is a good option for couples and small families.
Party Hostels in Luang Prabang: There is no big party scene in Luang Prabang, and so no party hostels to be found. Sorry! However, there is a great place called Utopia Bar. Head here for ‘Zen by day, Groovy by night’. Eat, drink, relax and soak up the nightlife.
New to Hostels? Read our full hostel starter guide here. We especially recommend reading:
- how to book hostels (and websites to use)
- 23 items for the hostel packing list
- Are hostels safe? 13 safety tips for hostels
The 3 Best Hostels in Luang Prabang are …
Let’s jump right into the coolest hostels in Luang Prabang.
- Sunrise Riverside Pool Hostel – best for solo travellers
- Downtown Backpackers Hostel – best for backpackers
- Fan Dee Hostel – best for party goers and female solo travellers
We put all accommodations on the map, incl. our own tips for restaurants, things to see, and more.
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | Sunrise Riverside Pool Hostel |
| 🙎♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: | Fan Dee Hostel |
| 🥳 Party Hostel: | Fan Dee Hostel |
| 👩❤️👨Couple Hostel: | Fan Dee Hostel |
| 👨👩👦 Family Hostel: | Downtown Backpackers Hostel |
| 🎒 Backpackers | Downtown Backpackers Hostel |
| 🧘 Cozy Hostel: | Sunrise Riverside Pool Hostel |
We put all three accommodation on the map, you will find the map at the end of the article.
1. Sunrise Riverside Pool Hostel
It’s really no surprise that many people are saying Sunrise Riverside Pool Hostel is the best hostel in Luang Prabang. And we’re inclined to agree. Not only is it clean and affordable, but there is also an outdoor pool and free breakfast included in the price!
You heard it here first: there is no hidden agenda.The super friendly team want to offer a memorable hostel that doesn’t cost the earth. Nothing more, nothing less.
And boy have they managed to pull it off!
The pool is large enough for a proper swim and is covered by the scorching sun. Alongside that, there is plenty of space to sunbathe and relax in the big garden.
For a change of scenery, head up to the roofed terrace to enjoy views over the Nam Khan river. A top spot to relax.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
There are only dorms here ranging from 4-bed female to 8-16 bed mixed. Each room has:
- 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 is open 24/7 for all your needs and questions. The staff love 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 are within walking distance.
This is one of the best hostels in Luang Prabang for
- Solo 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.
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. Fan Dee Hostel
Fan Dee Hostel has a unique Bamboo-inspired decor.
They offer a restaurant serving both traditional Lao and European cuisine, as well as a wonderful lounge where you can unwind, and all of their rooms are decorated with intricate bamboo carvings.
Guests are always welcome here, and they make sure guests have all they need throughout their stay by providing a wide range of hospitality services.
Take a look at some inclusions:
- Security lockers
- Bicycle parking
- Ceiling fan
- Book Exchange
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Hostelz.com
Location: Located on the banks of the Nam Khan River, the Fan Dee Hotel provides a modest beginning with its 20 single beds spread among many bungalows. Expansive grounds with a stunning panorama of the Nam Khan River.
This is one of the greatest hostels in Luang Prabang for
- Party goers
- Female Solo Travellers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Hostelz.com
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 all offer purely dorm rooms and wonderful shared spaces that offer great socialising opportunities.
Yet if we had to pick our favourite, we’d go with Sunrise Riverside Pool Hostel.
For one thing, the hostel name represents the place perfectly.
- Swimming pool? Check
- Riverside views? Check
- Spot to see the sunrise? And the sunset!
This is also the closest hostel to the fabulous Utopia Bar for solo travellers looking to enjoy the local nightlife.
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.
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. There are even special discount codes that we only share in our newsletter.
It is completely free to join!
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 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!
All 3 Hostels 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 Probang
- Night Market Luang Probang
- Dara Market Luang Probang
- Tat Sae Waterfalls
FAQs
Here we share with you the most asked question:
What are the best hostels in Luang Prabang?
The best hostels in Luan Prabang are:
- Sunrise Riverside Pool Hostel - best for solo travellers
- Downtown Backpackers Hostel - best for backpackers
- Fan Dee Hostel - best for party goers
Are hostels in Luang Prabang safe?
Not all hostels in Luang Prabang are necessarily safe, especially the one that offers the cheapest price in sketchy areas. It might be an illegal hostel, without proper license to run and safety measures.
So in all fairness, it is best to check out Hostelgeeks.com because we feature safe hostels in Luang Prabang. You can find backpacker hostel with top ratings! Keep a close eye on the overall ratings on booking platforms!
If you are not secure, you can also send us an email and ask us!
How much are hostels in Luang Prabang?
Hostels in Laung Prabang are CHEAP and cost 3€ – 5€ per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room starts from 10€ up to 14€ per night. This is a rough average just to give you an idea.
What are the best sites for finding hostels?
Of course, the best site to find hostels is Hostelgeeks.com
We are doing our best to deliver the best hostels to you. Check out the best hostels in the world guides; from Paris to Tokyo.
You can also have a look at Hostelworld.
Staying at one of these hostels? ❤️
Share your photo and tag us @hostelgeeks on Instagram.
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).
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
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
Sabai Sabai Hostel Backpacker – CLOSED
Update: This hostel is permanently closed.
Our #2 recommendation, Sabai Sabai Hostel Backpacker, has been through extensive renovations in 2018 to create a fantastic space for travellers.
That’s because these guys take feedback seriously. Great, right?
After listening to their guests, Sabai Sabai…
- Constructed a new rooftop pool
- Built en-suites for all dorm rooms
- Extended air-con usage (8pm-11am)
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, choose between mixed and female-only dorms.
Note: sorry couples, no privates here.
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 from Sabai Sabai, so you can expect to be in 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
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Best Travel Websites we recommend ❤️
(Fresh Update 2023)
Booking Hostels and Discounts 👏👏👏
As a user of Hostelgeeks, you also have access to exclusive hostel discounts. For booking hostels, we use:
- Hostelz.com - hostel price comparison
- Hostelworld
We recommend installing the Hostelworld App. It is very useful!
How to find cheaper Flights ✈️
The first websites we always check are Skyscanner and Google Flights.
Find our step-by-step process in our review about Skyscanner.
Travel Insurance made easy 🤒
We are currently using Safetywing and Hey Mondo. We wrote detailed guides about these insurances:
- Our review of Safetywing, compared to others
- a detailed review of HeyMondo Travel Insurance
Smartest Travel Tools you need to know 🤓
- Onward Ticket - get a proof for onward travel
- iVisa - get your visa online fast
- Get Your Guide - for activities and sightseeing tickets
- Omio.com - for all types of transport
Find all our recommended travel tools and websites here.
Get your Smart Packing List (Free Printable)
Knowing what to pack and what not to pack is key. As an example, you need a one-fits-all padlock.
We put together the ultimate list of smart items to bring.
