🇱🇦Laos

What to buy as soon as you land

Getting mobile data working the moment you land in Laos matters - you will want maps and ride-hailing apps straight away. Two operators dominate, with the densest tower networks: Unitel (Star Telecom) and Lao Telecom (LTC). Unitel has the best data coverage in remote areas and along the Laos-China railway, while Lao Telecom offers stable high-speed connectivity in the main cities. Smaller operators TPlus and ETL are an alternative, though their coverage outside urban centres is limited.

Comparison table

Tourist data packages verified as of March 2025 (conversion: 1 USD ≈ 22,000 LAK):

Where exactly to buy

• Wattay International Airport (Vientiane): Unitel and Lao Telecom kiosks are in the arrivals hall, immediately after immigration and baggage reclaim, before the exit doors. The stands follow the flight schedule (daily 07:00 to 21:00). Payment is in cash (LAK, THB, USD).
• Luang Prabang International Airport: Sales stands are in the central arrivals hall by the terminal exit.
• Branded stores in the cities: In central Vientiane on Avenue Lane Xang, and in Luang Prabang on the main Sisavangvong Road. City-centre prices match the airport tariffs, and staff complete the registration while you wait.
• eSIM online before you fly: You can buy a digital SIM through international platforms (Gigago, for example) running on the Unitel network, with the data profile configured automatically.

Short verdict

For a typical tourist coming to Laos for 1 to 3 weeks, the best option is the Unitel Tourist SIM / eSIM with 35 GB of data at about USD 4.75 (105,000 LAK). It has the widest 4G coverage in the country, which keeps you connected even on long-distance train and bus journeys.

Wattay Airport (Vientiane)

Wattay International Airport (VTE) is about 3 km west of central Vientiane.

• Ride-hailing (Loca app): The most efficient way in. Pick-up is directly outside the departures or arrivals hall. A ride into the centre costs roughly 100,000 LAK for a standard car, and takes 10 to 15 minutes.
• Official airport taxi: The prepaid taxi desk is in the arrivals hall by the terminal exit. Fares into the centre are fixed by city zone, in the range 100,000 to 150,000 LAK.
• Airport Line Bus: The official bus links Wattay with the Talat Sao central bus station, stopping at selected hotels in the centre. A ticket costs 40,000 LAK per person, running from 07:30 to 21:30 in line with the flight schedule.
• What to watch out for: Unofficial drivers who approach you outside the terminal charge heavily inflated fares in THB or USD. Arrange transport only at the marked desk or through the Loca app.

Luang Prabang Airport

Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ) is about 5 km north-east of the historic centre.

• Ride-hailing (Loca app): The best-value private transport. Rides into the historic centre start at 100,000 LAK per car.
• Official taxi / minivan desk: The official transport counter is in the arrivals hall, offering guaranteed rates: a private car at 320,000 LAK or a shared airport minivan at 100,000 LAK per person. The trip into the centre takes 15 to 20 minutes.
• Tuk-tuk: Tuk-tuk drivers wait outside the fenced airport grounds, about 100 metres' walk beyond the exit gate. Fares are negotiated; the standard asking price into the centre is 100,000 LAK per trip.

Which option suits which traveller

• Solo traveller: In Vientiane, the Airport Line bus (40,000 LAK); in Luang Prabang, the shared minivan from the airport desk or a Loca ride (100,000 LAK).
• Family with children: A Loca booking (SUV category) or the official airport taxi desk, dropping you directly at your hotel.
• Night arrival (after 21:00): Use the prepaid taxi desk in the terminal, or arrange a hotel transfer in advance.
• Budget: In Vientiane, the bus (40,000 LAK); in Luang Prabang, walk out to the main road beyond the airport gate and share a tuk-tuk with other travellers.

Getting around the city, and which apps to install

Public bus services exist only to a limited extent, and only in Vientiane (the VCSBE network). For international visitors, ride-hailing apps are the main way of getting around urban areas:

• Loca (iOS / Android): The main national ride-hailing app in Laos, covering both cars and local tuk-tuks. It guarantees a fixed price up front based on GPS.

• Signing up and paying: You register with an international phone number. You can pay in cash or by card. Note on adding a card: For security reasons, the app requires you to upload a photo of your passport and a verification selfie (holding your passport) when you add a foreign payment card. Approval of the card profile takes a few minutes.

• Xanh SM Laos (iOS / Android): An all-electric taxi service (Taxi Xanh) operating in Vientiane and Vang Vieng. Pay in cash or with a card linked in the app.

Money and paying for things

• Currency and exchange rate: The national currency is the Lao kip (LAK). Indicative rates as of March 2025: 1 USD ≈ 22,000 LAK, 1 EUR ≈ 23,500 LAK, 1 CZK ≈ 930 LAK. Only banknotes circulate, most commonly 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 LAK.
• ATM withdrawals: ATMs are readily available in all provincial capitals, dominated by the BCEL (Banque pour le Commerce Extérieur Lao) network, plus LDB and JDB. Every withdrawal on a foreign card carries a direct Lao bank fee of 20,000 to 40,000 LAK per transaction.

• Withdrawal limits: The standard single-transaction limit on a foreign card is 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 LAK. Selected BCEL machines allow up to 2,500,000 LAK.

• Avoiding DCC (dynamic currency conversion): At ATMs and card terminals, always choose to be charged in local currency (LAK). Opting for conversion into your home currency (CZK/EUR/USD) applies a poor DCC rate with a 5 to 8% markup.
• Exchange offices and handling cash: Although LAK is the official currency, Thai baht (THB) and US dollars (USD) are commonly accepted in the tourist sector and at border crossings. Change money at official bank exchange counters (BCEL) or licensed city bureaux. Avoid unofficial street exchange.
• Card payments: Acceptance of foreign cards is limited to upper-tier hotels, international chains and selected restaurants, often with a 3% processing surcharge. The local LAO QR / BCEL One system works only with Lao bank accounts.
• Tipping: Not expected in ordinary local eateries. In tourist restaurants and higher-category hotels, 5–10% is a recognition of good service.

Accommodation

Neighbourhoods that work well for your first nights

Vientiane:

• Chanthabuly / Mekong riverfront (Quai Fa Ngum): The ideal spot for a first arrival - direct access to the night market, restaurants and historic sites, and easy to reach from the airport. Price bracket: Mid to luxury (600,000–2,500,000 LAK per night).
• Ban Anou / Ban Haysoke: Quieter streets within walking distance of the centre, popular with independent travellers. Price bracket: Budget to mid (200,000–500,000 LAK per night).

Luang Prabang:

• Historic centre (Old Town - the peninsula): Around Sisavangvong Road. Excellent access to the night market, temples and Mount Phousi. Price bracket: Upper-end boutique (1,000,000–5,000,000 LAK per night).
• Nam Khan river area: Just across the bridge from the historic core, offering a quieter setting. Price bracket: Mid-range (500,000–1,200,000 LAK per night).

What check-in usually involves

Reception will need your original passport to scan, for the mandatory report to the immigration authorities. Hotels frequently take a refundable cash deposit - most often 100,000 to 200,000 LAK, or USD 10–20 - against keys or an access card. Standard check-in is from 14:00, check-out by 12:00.

Local rules and cultural differences

• Dress code at temples: Shoulders and knees must be covered when entering Buddhist temples (wat). Always remove your shoes before entering inner sanctuaries and private homes.
• Flying drones: Drone flights in Laos require approval from the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) and the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications. Any drone over 200 g needs an official permit. Flying over the historic centre of Luang Prabang (a UNESCO zone), within 5 km of airports, or over military and government facilities is strictly prohibited, with confiscation of equipment and fines.
• Alcohol and quiet hours: Alcohol sales are regulated, and most restaurants and bars in Laos must observe closing and quiet hours between 23:30 and midnight.
• Drug penalties: Laos imposes very severe penalties for possession, use or distribution of any illegal narcotics, including long prison sentences and heavy fines.
• Customs and gestures: The head is considered the most sacred part of the body - never touch a local person's head. Feet are considered the lowest; do not point your feet at Buddha images or at other people.

Everyday practicalities

• Power sockets: Types C, E, F and A, B. 230 V, 50 Hz. Most accommodation has combined sockets that accept the standard European two-pin plug (type C).
• Drinking water: Bottled or from filtration stations only.
• Time zone: UTC+7 (Indochina Time - ICT).
• Opening hours: Government offices and banks Monday to Friday 08:30–15:30. Shops and markets daily 08:00–20:00. Night markets 17:00–22:00.
• Wi-Fi: Commonly available in hotels, cafés and restaurants. Temporary network outages are common during storms.