How to find a cheap car hire deal in Laos
In search of a cheap rental car in Laos? With prices starting from $68 a day, you're on the road to big savings. Whether you're looking for a small ride, a road trip-ready SUV, or something in between, we round up all the top offers to land you a bargain.
Longer adventures come with better value, starting from $405 for a weekly rental.
Check out the car rentals in Luang Prabang and hold onto more of your budget from day one. It's the most affordable place in Laos to book a ride.
Overall, the most popular city to rent a car in is Vientiane.
If you're unsure which provider to go with, check out Sixt. More travellers choose it than any other brand in Laos.
Step off the plane and into the driver's seat by picking up a ride at the airport. Vientiane Airport, Luang Prabang Airport and Pakse Airport all provide access to car rentals.
Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse are some of the top cities to pick up a set of wheels.
A one-way rental might work out in your favor. Providers often lower prices when they need to move cars between sites. When searching for a car for rent in Laos, select 'Return car to a different location' to access those deals.
Need wheels for a few weeks? Sometimes you can score a discount for booking a whole month, so play around with your dates to find the best rates.
Avoid unnecessary costs by booking a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' You pick up the car full and return it full, paying only for what you use.
Select 'Unlimited mileage' under the 'Policies' filter and let the map decide how far the journey goes. Roam wherever the road takes you without added mileage charges.
Best time to book a car hire in Laos
Here's your insider tip for booking at the right time. Three weeks in advance is when you're most likely to find the best price on a car hire in Laos.
The most affordable month to rent a car is May, with an average rate of $66 a day.
July tends to be the priciest time of year.
Compare car hire types in Laos
Economy: If you want affordable and reliable, economy fits the bill. With lower daily rates and strong fuel efficiency, this option helps keep both upfront and ongoing costs down.
Small: This category covers mini and economy cars that handle the basics with ease. Compact dimensions, fuel-efficient engines and good manoeuvrability make it a practical choice when looking for a cheap rental car in Laos.
Medium: If you need something more spacious without going big, this is the answer. Medium rentals offer more room for passengers and bags, as well as a nice balance of efficiency and performance. You'll find compact and intermediate models here.
Large: No elbow battles. No stacking bags at your feet. Also known as full-size, large cars offer real passenger space and the luggage capacity to go with it. Choose this category when you're covering some serious distance or bringing everyone with you.
SUV: Road trips through Laos are a breeze in one of these. The higher seating position offers a better view of what's ahead and helps you stay aware of your surroundings. Designed for versatility, they can take you from busy urban streets to more demanding terrain with ease.
Van: This category of car for rent in Laos includes commercial vans and trucks. With ample carrying capacity and flexible interior layouts, they're designed to transport bulky items, equipment or larger groups in one go.
Luxury: Ready to go all in? This is more than getting from A to B — it's about arriving in style. Luxury vehicles combine premium design, cutting-edge tech, and finely tuned performance in one standout package.
Insurance and optional extras
Excess insurance covers your out-of-pocket costs if your rental car is damaged or stolen. While not mandatory, it's worth considering for extra protection. Just remember that not all insurance policies are the same, so make sure you know exactly what's included.
Make your trip smoother when you rent a car in Laos by adding some handy extras. Think things like a navigation system to make wrong turns a thing of the past, or reverse cameras that give you confidence when parking.
Driving in Laos: What you need to know
Rental age requirements generally aren't a one-size-fits-all. Providers can set their own policies, and if you're a younger driver, you could face extra fees or restrictions. Check the specific rules for each supplier before booking your car hire in Laos.
Add a car seat to your car hire reservation in Laos if you're bringing the kids. Rules change from one place to another, but using a child seat suited to their age, size and weight is always the safest choice.
You'll likely be asked for these three things when collecting your rental car: your physical driver's licence, extra photo ID, and a credit card that can cover the security deposit. Debit cards aren't widely accepted. Any additional requirements will be listed in your booking.
If you're unfamiliar with driving in Laos, remember that traffic here keeps to the right side of the road.
Make sure you follow the local speed limits. Most of the time that's around 30kph in built-up areas and 95kph or so on highways, unless signed otherwise.
A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.05% applies in Laos. The only sure way to stay legal to drive is to skip the drinks.
