What are the best things to do in Savannakhet?
Top picks in Savannakhet include Dinosaur Museum, Historic Downtown Exhibition, Co-Cathedral of St. Therese, That Ing Hang Stupa. See the full list and itinerary on this Savannakhet travel guide.
Why visit Savannakhet
Travel guide for Savannakhet, Laos — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Savannakhet is a stop in Laos, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 2 days. If time is short, prioritise Dinosaur Museum, Historic Downtown Exhibition, Co-Cathedral of St. Therese instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 25–75 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: November–March for cooler, drier conditions. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
November–March for cooler, drier conditions
Weather
Varies from tropical to temperate depending on the season
Experiences
Things to do in Savannakhet
1
Dinosaur Museum
2
Historic Downtown Exhibition
3
Co-Cathedral of St. Therese
4
That Ing Hang Stupa
Plan your trip
Savannakhet itinerary (2 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Dinosaur Museum
- Visit Historic Downtown Exhibition
- Visit Co-Cathedral of St. Therese
- Eat at Dolly's Café
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit That Ing Hang Stupa
- Eat at Lin's Café
Budget
Savannakhet trip cost
Budget
USD 15–35
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 25–75
per person / day
Luxury
USD 85–145+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Savannakhet, Laos. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Savannakhet
Estimated total (USD)
$1,725
≈ $863 per person · $246 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $50/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Savannakhet mid-range ground costs (budget 15–35 · mid 25–75 · luxury 85–145+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Dolly's Café
Japanese, Lao, and Western food, with a unique selection of smoothies, tea and fresh juices. Good choice for vegetarians. Offers book exchan
Lin's Café
Local, Japanese, and Western food. Original organic Lao coffee (served hot or iced), fruit shakes, pastas, vegetarian and non-vegetarian mea
Sabaidee Restaurant
One of the bigger restaurants in town that serves a good mix of Lao and Western food. Very attentive staff. Popular place for local people t
Dao Savanh
French cuisine. Serves both lunch and dinner meals for a reasonable price. The 3 course "Menu Dejeuner" for lunch (around 65,000 kip) is abs
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
- $
Hoongthip Hotel
Within walking distance of the Thai consulate. The fee includes a modest breakfast; there's no buffet, but you can choose, e.g., a sandwich
Dao Savanh Resort & Spa
On the Mekong, in the south of the city. All rooms offer privacy with spacious size and wooden Lao handicraft décor. There are 83 rooms, a s
Leena's Guesthouse
Receives many foreigners. Service is so-so. Little bit far (but still within walking distance) from the historical centre and Mekong riversi
Joli Guesthouse
In the same block as Leena's Guesthouse, but access is from the opposite road. Very clean and the multi-floor house looks very modern. Break
- $
Nongsoda Guesthouse
Eleven clean, though dingy air-con rooms with great Mekong views, but no TV and no restaurant.
Shopping
- Banque Pour Le Commerce Exterieur Lao
- BCEL Bank ATM
- Lao Development Bank
- Phongsavanh Bank ATM
- Savanxay Market
Museums & culture
- Dinosaur Museum
- Co-Cathedral of St. Therese
In pictures
Savannakhet gallery
Photos: No machine-readable author provided. Aaker assumed (based on copyright claims)., Tango7174 — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Savannakhet travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Savannakhet?
November–March for cooler, drier conditions.
How many days do I need in Savannakhet?
Plan at least 2 days in Savannakhet for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Savannakhet?
Popular stays in Savannakhet include Hoongthip Hotel, Dao Savanh Resort & Spa, Leena's Guesthouse. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Savannakhet cost?
On the ground in Savannakhet (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 15–35 per person per day, mid-range about 25–75, and luxury about 85–145+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Savannakhet, Laos. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
