One of the most common questions we get is: “How do I actually get down the river?” There are essentially two ways to experience the Mekong River Cruise, and both are surprisingly affordable.

• The Backpacker Slowboat (The Classic Choice): This is the authentic way to travel. These long wooden boats are packed with locals and travelers alike. It’s very inexpensive and a great way to meet people, but keep in mind it’s basic—you’ll usually sit on old car seats and need to bring your own supplies. You can book your slow boat adventure tickets here with an exclusive discount with code WOUTOFTHEWORLD5.

• The Boutique Cruise (Affordable Luxury): For just a little more, you can opt for a more comfortable experience. This version includes fixed tables, a delicious traditional Lao lunch served on board, and more organized stops at local villages and caves. 

What We Paid

For our Boutique Cruise, we paid $140 USD per person. This was a great deal because it included almost everything:

• Transfers (from our hotel in Huay Xai to the boat, and from the pier in Luang Prabang to our final hotel).

• The 2-day escorted cruise with daily lunches and refreshments.

• All sightseeing stops along the way.

• Travel insurance for the duration of the trip.

Traveling with kids? Children often go for half price, and since Céline was only 1 year old, she traveled for free!

Pro Tip: We booked our accommodation in Pak Beng separately. Doing it yourself is often much cheaper than booking it as a full package through the cruise company, and it gives you more freedom to choose your own oasis for the night.

Our Choice: Back in 2016, we took the basic slowboat and loved the raw energy of it. However, for this trip, we opted for the Boutique Cruise. It offered that perfect balance: a bit more comfort and great food for the kids, while still feeling like a rugged outdoor excursion through the mountains.