The 15 Best City Tours in Laos

1.UNESCO World Heritage City Highlights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 201 reviews · 4.5 hours - 1 day · from $35Our pick

Begin with optional almsgiving and the morning market, then explore Wat Xieng Thong, nearby temples, the former Royal Palace, and Phousi Hill. Choose a half-day city visit, a full-day heritage route, or an afternoon at Kuang Si Falls and a Hmong village. Guides such as Boun and Sack bring Buddhist insight.

“Pace was excellent and we managed to cover all the main heritage sights without feeling harassed. Our guide, Mr Siththai, was very informative giving us the right level of information and providing good insights into the history of Lao at its culture. He navigated well through the crowds at the former royal palace. A very enjoyable morning and I commend our guide and the tour to everyone.”

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2.Luang Prabang City Tour & Kuang Si Waterfalls

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 87 reviews · from $44

See Luang Prabang at dawn, visit the morning market, temples, Royal Palace, Phousi Hill, and Kuang Si Falls. Guides such as Boun Louam, Thin, and Sack bring local stories to the city tour, while air-conditioned transport handles the long day. Alms giving is an optional 5:30 am start.

“The tour to Luang Prabang City was very nice. I was able to learn about the history of the country, with a very friendly guide. The Kuang Si Waterfalls is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen in my entire life. I will definitely come back.”

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3.Small Group Half Day Luang Prabang city tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 57 reviews · from $30

Start at 5:30 a.m. for the alms-giving ceremony and morning market, then explore Luang Prabang’s temples, Royal Palace Museum, riverside, and Mount Phousi with an English-speaking local guide. Former monks such as Puang and Bounlouam have led especially informative tours.

“We had an amazing morning tour with BOUNLOUAM. He explained everything in detail and had a nice and informative experience that it was tailored to our needs. We really felt connected with the city and glad we had him as our tour guide!”

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4.Half-Day City Tour with Patuxai and Buddha Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 57 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $52

This 3.5-hour Vientiane tour links Buddha Park, Patuxai Monument, That Luang, and That Dam by air-conditioned vehicle. English-speaking guides such as Souk, Joy, and Namt explain Lao religion and history, while private groups and city pickup make this an easy first look at the capital.

“I really enjoyed my private tour today. Souk was a great guide and shared a lot of knowledge with me during our morning together. It was very interesting to hear him talk about the past and present of Laos, a perfect start to my vacation here. The tour itself was also very well organized, starting with the Buddha Park just outside the city. I didn't expect much and was impressed by the status and art there. Later visits to two stupas and the Victory Gate were also impressive. Thanks for your time, can highly recommend the tour!”

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5.Hot Air Balloon Ride with City Hotel Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 44 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $172

Float above Vang Vieng’s karst countryside on a 30-minute sunrise or sunset flight with hotel pickup. Alex handles English-language details, while the pilot manages the balloon. Morning flights finish with coffee, afternoon flights with champagne, fruit, snacks, and a certificate.

“We went for a sunrise balloon ride. Alex was the man! He spoke English and explained all the details to us. The pilot do not speak English but clearly was great at his job. Felt very safe and we LOVED the ride, amazing views!!!”

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6.Vientiane City Highlights Tour with Buddha Park & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 38 reviews · 8 hours · from $100

This private eight-hour tour pairs Vientiane’s key temples and monuments with Buddha Park, the COPE Visitor Center, and a Lao lunch. Your English-speaking guide may be Thipphavanh, Viengxay, Thony, or another local guide, with hotel pickup, entrance fees, and transport included.

“Our tour guide Thony was absolutely brilliant. He is so knowledgeable and it was an absolute pleasure to listen to him. We also asked him to take us to a museum that wasn’t included in the official tour and he was super accommodating. Thony really made the difference. Highly recommended”

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7.Private Tour: Vientiane City Tour Full Day with Buddha Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 32 reviews · from $141

Spend about eight hours with an English-speaking guide such as Chan, Som, Suk, or Chansay, visiting Vientiane’s key temples, Pha That Luang, Patuxai, Vat That Khao, and Buddha Park. Private transport, city-center pickup, and a Lao lunch are included.

“Our guide Sai was very knowledgeable and friendly, and allowed us to make the best use of the limited time we had in Vientiane. I definitely recommend this tour.”

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8.Private Luang Prabang City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 27 reviews · from $53Top rated

Start before sunrise with the alms giving ceremony, then explore Luang Prabang’s markets, temples, Royal Palace, UXO centre, and Mount Phousi by private car. An English-speaking guide can tailor the day, explain Lao culture, and adjust the pace for your group.

“My family and I had a wonderful experience with Boun and our driver today. We loved learning about Lao and Buddhism history and cultural practices from a highly knowledgeable guide. He has a very good heart and is a kind man. I would reRead more”

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9.Vientiane Half-Day City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 23 reviews · from $89

Explore Vientiane with an English-speaking guide and a group of up to seven. Visit Wat Sisaket, Wat Phra Keo, COPE, Patuxay, That Luang, and the Mekong River, with morning or afternoon departures and hotel transport.

“Excellent tour! Mr Go made the tour fun, informative, and hassle free! The sites we visited were amazing and Mr Go’s knowledge and enthusiasm was second to none. Would highly recommend this tour.”

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10.Audio-Guided City Tour in Electric Car

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 14 reviews · 1 hour · from $15Best value

Take a slow electric-car ride through Luang Prabang with a driver and audio guide in nine languages. Pass monasteries, French-colonial houses, Lao wooden homes, and residential streets while hearing stories about 13 historic buildings. The small vehicle carries up to four people.

“It was very good! Good information in one hour.”

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11.Guided Vientiane City and Buddha Park Full-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 12 reviews · from $99

Spend about eight hours touring Vientiane with a private English-speaking guide, visiting Wat Si Saket, Wat Ho Phra Keo, Wat Si Muang, Patuxai, That Luang, Buddha Park, and a Lao handicraft center. Hotel transport and lunch are included, with time for a Mekong sunset.

“Was a nice day, however definitely not with $150 PER PERSON. Better off booking when you arrive in Vientiane. The driver and tour guide were both lovely and as we requested took us to a beautiful local restaurant (we bought them lunch and coffees rather than a tip) the touRead more”

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12.Vientiane City Day Tour and Buddha Park Visit with Lunch | Laos

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 10 reviews · from $130

Spend eight hours with an English-speaking guide visiting Wat Sisaket, Pha That Luang, Patuxai, Carol Cassidy Lao Textiles, and Buddha Park. Hotel pickup, lunch, water, and transport are included. Guides such as Khong and Mr. Algo G have been praised for their warmth and local insight.

“Had a lovely day out with our guide who took us to loads of places around Vientiane. Definitely worth doing this tour! Our guide was friendly, very informative & knowledgeable. The lunch spot was great as well.”

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13.1-Day Vientiane City Adventure: Top Sights & Hidden Gems

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6 reviews · from $109

Explore Vientiane by traditional tuk-tuk with an English-speaking guide. Visit a fresh market, Patuxay, Pha That Luang, COPE, and Wat Si Muang, while enjoying Lao coffee, sweets, a silversmith workshop, Buddhist offerings, and lunch at a local restaurant.

“Was a great tour and loved the tour guide because he was very knowledgeable. Loved the food I ate which is very important to me.”

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14.Half-Day Vientiane City Bike Tour | Laos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $90

Set out at 8:30 a.m. for a five-hour private bike tour of Vientiane with an English-speaking guide such as Vient or Mr Sak. Ride to Wat Si Saket, Ho Phrakeo, Pha That Luang and the Lao Textile Museum, with hotel transport, bike rental, water and admission included.

“This was an excellent tour! I was lucky because it was the low season, so I was the only one on the tour. My guide, Vient, was awesome. He had so much interesting information about all of the sites that we saw. The bike was really nice as well. I highly recommend this tour if you are visiting Vientiane.”

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15.Private Full Day Vientiane City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $147

Spend about nine hours exploring Vientiane with a private English-speaking guide, air-conditioned transport, temple entrance fees, and Lao lunch included. Visit Wat Si Saket, Ho Phra Keo, Pha That Luang, Patuxay, Vat That Khao, and Buddha Park, with pickup and drop-off in central Vientiane.

“We really enjoyed our time in this tour - Vientiane City Tour. Many thanks to our tour guide. He made our trip unforgettable!”

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