How to Plan a 2-Week Cambodia and Laos Tour? Skip the Tourist Traps

A two-week trip is ideal to explore both Cambodia and Laos. With 14 days, you can still take in some slower, more local experiences while seeing the main attractions without feeling rushed. The best months to travel to Cambodia and Laos are November through April because of the cool, dry weather. Long travel days and outdoor sightseeing are ideal during this time.

Spending five days in Cambodia, where the main attractions are closer together, and nine days in Laos, where travel takes longer but offers you more stunning scenery and fewer tourists, is a wise way to divide your time.

This guide will answer all your questions about how to plan a two-week Cambodia and Laos tour and give important insights to bring your experience to the next level. Whether you're looking for a budget trip or a luxury experience, we’ll help you plan a smooth and unforgettable journey.

Best Time to Go: Visit Cambodia and Laos from November to April

Both Cambodia and Laos have two seasons, wet and dry, and you need to think about which you prefer. The dry season, that is, November to April, is the best time to visit Cambodia and Laos. While the dry season is the best season to visit, with the cooler weather and sunny days, it is also the peak season for tourism. If you want to avoid crowds, the peak months of December to February are not going to be ideal.

October to November and March to April are the shoulder seasons. There are fewer people, but the weather is in transition between the rainy and dry periods. October is the last month of the rainy season, and can be one of the wettest months of the year, though rain falls mostly in the afternoons and early evening, leaving the mornings bright and clear. If you're looking to avoid crowds and keep costs low, consider a Cambodia and Laos tour during the shoulder seasons.

The wet season, from May to October, has mixed weather. In the first half, the rain is minimal, but temperatures can soar up to 40 degrees in May and June with very high humidity. From August to October, the temperature cools down, but the rains begin in earnest, with September to October being the wettest months of the year. If hot and humid does not sound comfortable for traveling, then you should avoid the wet season.

December is one of the best months to visit Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

Suggested Duration: 5 Days in Cambodia and 9 Days in Laos

To see the best of both countries, you shouldn’t divide your time equally between them. Cambodia’s top destinations are closer together and connected by a more developed transportation infrastructure. Five days in Cambodia will let you cover the essentials, and leave enough time to see the best of Laos.

Start in Siem Reap to explore Angkor Wat and the rural countryside around Tonle Sap Lake. Then, visit the capital, Phnom Penh, to see Cambodia’s imperial history and learn about the modern tragedy under the Khmer Rouge.

Nine days in Laos will let you visit the highlights without feeling rushed. Spend a couple of days in Luang Prabang seeing the Buddhist temples and exploring the waterfalls and caves. You’ll also want to spend a few days in Vang Vieng to enjoy the area’s natural beauty and adventure activities. Finally, the capital city of Vientiane is a perfect place to wind down with quieter urban scenes and colonial architecture.

Together, these stops make up some of the most rewarding places to visit in Cambodia and Laos for travelers seeking a deeper experience.

14 Days Best Cambodia and Laos Discovery Tour

Siem Reap - Phnom Penh - Vientiane - Vang Vieng - Luang Prabang

Easy Entry: E-visa is the Easiest One to Enter Cambodia and Laos

Cambodia and Laos have convenient e-visa systems, making it easy to get visas for Cambodia and Laos and smoothly enter both countries. E-visas can be applied for online before your trip, and processing usually takes three business days. All you need is a valid passport, a digital passport-sized photo, and a credit or debit card for payment. The cost ranges from $30 to $45, depending on the country and processing options.

Cambodia’s e-visa is valid for 30 days and is accepted at major entry points such as Siem Reap International Airport, Phnom Penh International Airport, and certain land borders. Laos offers a similar process, with e-visas accepted at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, Luang Prabang Airport, and the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge.

In addition to Cambodia and Laos, e-visas or visas on arrival are also very convenient for traveling to Southeast Asia. To avoid scams, always apply through the official government websites. Cambodia’s e-visa site is at https://www.evisa.gov.kh/, and Laos’ site is at https://laoevisa.gov.la/index.

The sample of Cambodian E-visa.

The sample of Lao E-visa.

Recommended Travel Routes: Fly into Cambodia and Out of Laos

Flying into Cambodia and out of Laos is a smart travel route that will let you avoid backtracking and take advantage of the most convenient international flight connections.

Siem Reap is one of the easiest cities to reach from abroad. Getting to Cambodia from North America, Europe, or Australia is convenient by transferring through major regional travel hubs such as Shenzhen, Singapore, and Bangkok.

Phnom Penh to Vientiane is the only direct flight between Cambodia and Laos. There are daily flights available on Vietnam Airlines, and it only takes around 90 minutes.

Laos isn’t as well connected by international flight routes, but there are flights available to nearby travel hubs with outbound connections to destinations around the world. From Luang Prabang, it is easy to reach Bangkok and Hanoi, both of which offer good options to get to Laos. Vientiane has flights to a range of convenient transfer airports such as Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

14 Days Cambodia and Laos Relaxed Tour

Siem Reap - Sihanoukville - Phnom Penh - Vientiane - Luang Prabang

Crossing Borders: Flights Are Most Convenient from Cambodia to Laos

Cambodia and Laos on map share a short border where land crossings are possible, but it’s often not a reliable or comfortable option. Roads can be rough, travel times long, and immigration procedures slow or inconsistent at remote border posts. If you’re short on time or traveling with family, seniors, or a group, it’s better to choose a flight.

Vietnam Airlines operates a direct flight between Phnom Penh and Vientiane. The flight is available daily and takes 90 minutes. Tickets start from 164 USD. Flights between other destinations, such as Siem Reap and Luang Prabang, require connecting through nearby cities. Costs and travel vary depending on the route.

Though air travel may cost a little more than buses or vans, the time saved and added comfort make it a worthy investment. Flight can be the best way to get from Cambodia to Laos. It also eliminates the hassle of dealing with land border procedures, making your travel day smoother and more predictable.

Tourists can get from Cambodia to Laos by crossing the border.

Customized Cambodia and Laos Trips Are Safer and More Relaxed

A customized travel itinerary is the best way for a safe and relaxed trip. Our expert travel consultants will work with you to customize a tour tailored to your pace, interests, and travel style. You’ll benefit from the services of local guides who provide deeper cultural insights, private transfers that make travel days more comfortable, and the freedom to tweak your daily plans without being tied to a rigid schedule.

Working with a reputable tour provider helps you avoid tourist traps, overcrowded sites, or overpriced restaurants. Instead, you’ll embark on your journey knowing all the details are already arranged. You’ll also get experiences like visiting village artisans, tasting authentic street food, and joining temple ceremonies that you might miss on your own.

Our guest happily toured Angkor Wat with our local guide.

Budget of Cambodia and Laos Tour Ranging from $840 to $2,800

A two-week tour of Cambodia and Laos can be planned to suit any budget. Starter, budget-friendly trips usually cost between 840-1200 USD. These include staying at comfortable 3-star hotels and taking advantage of local transportation. You’ll eat delicious street food and at authentic local restaurants, and will still be able to visit all the top attractions in Cambodia and Laos.

Mid-range tours let you upgrade your hotels and enjoy private transfers between destinations. Expect to spend 1,400-1,900 USD for this kind of experience. Many travelers find it a good balance of comfort and value.

Luxury travel starts from around 2,200-2,800 USD. These 2 weeks Cambodia and Laos tour packages typically include boutique or five-star accommodations, gourmet meals, private guides, and customized itineraries with unique add-ons, such as hot air balloon rides or Mekong River cruises.

14 Days Best of Cambodia and Laos Tour

Phnom Penh – Battambang – Siem Reap – Pakse – Vientiane – Luang Prabang

Conclusion

Planning a two-week Cambodia and Laos tour isn’t difficult, as long as you have the right help. Choose the best route to and between the two countries to get the most out of your time. Contact us to personalize your travel experience with advice from our professional, local travel consultants, and we’ll help you put together an unforgettable trip. We’ll work with you to ensure you see the best of both countries and don’t miss out on unique off-the-beaten-track experiences.