Laos is one of the most underrated countries in Southeast Asia. The only country in the region with no exit towards the sea, Laos is a well-known destination for backpackers and people traveling on a budget.

From beautiful rivers to majestic mountains, the nature covering Laos is simply stunning. It might not have Thailand’s beaches or Indonesia’s volcanoes, but it offers an authentic experience. I had the chance to visit Laos a few years ago and although my journey was far from perfect, I can honestly say that the sights in Laos are breathtaking. From the temples of Luang Prabang to the spectacular Si Phan Don Islands on the Mekong River and from the bustling Vientiane to the adventures of the north in Luang Namtha, Laos is simply beautiful.

If you’re thinking about visiting Laos, this guide has all the information you need. I’ve included the top things to see and do, information about costs and transport and many other useful tips and tricks. Enjoy!

Language

The official language in Laos is Lao and it’s spoken by about half of the population. It’s part of the Tai-Kadai language family. A great portion of the population in the rural areas speaks ethnic languages and dialects. The alphabet of Laos evolved from the ancient Khmer script and is very similar to Thai. The most spoken foreign language in the country is French. English also gained popularity in the last decades, especially in major cities and tourist destinations. The Google Translate App is extremely useful for cases when you can’t use English.

Currency

The official currency since 1955 is the kip (code LAK), further divided into 100 att. The exchange rate is 1 USD for about 9.260 kip and 1 EUR for about 10.850 kip (for the latest conversion rates, use this website). Dollars and Euros are sometimes accepted in commercial and tourist places (for a poor exchange rate), but I recommend using the local currency. Travelers can exchange foreign currency at the Vientiane Airport and in major cities. There are also plenty of ATMs in big cities and popular destinations. The most important credit card brands are usually accepted in larger restaurants, hotels and other businesses, although a good rule is to always bring cash.

Getting a Laos Visa

Most international visitors will require a VISA before entering Laos, whether obtained prior through a Laos embassy or consulate, or on arrival at the airport ($35) and several land crossings. You can also apply online for visa. There are fees for the VISA via an embassy, usually around 20-40 dollars or more. The citizens of Southeast Asian countries, as well as Russia, Korea, Japan and Switzerland can enter Laos without a VISA for tourism purposes. For the latest information entry, I recommend consulting your local authorities.

SIM Card/ Internet

The Internet is extremely slow, meaning that Laos is not an ideal destination for digital nomads. More and more internet cafes, hotels or restaurants offer Internet access, although the speed remains slow. The most popular SIM cards for travelers are from Beeline (Tigo) and Laotel (M-phone). The SIM cards are available in many shops and you do not need paperwork to buy one. You can even buy one from Vientiane airport, when landing. The price of M-Phone Sim card is about 3-4 USD, with top up options as cheap as 0.50 $ for 1 GB of data.

Tipping etiquette

While tipping is not expected in Laos, it became a widespread practice and it’s highly appreciated by the locals. Guides, drivers, porters, hotel staff and waiters will appreciate tips, although they do not expect it. When going to restaurants, a 10% tip is usually enough, while in other circumstances (tour guides), a few dollars will suffice. I encourage you to tip only if you consider that the services have been beyond your expectations.

ATM Fees

There are plenty of ATMs in urban areas and around popular tourist destinations. It’s good to remember that the withdrawal limits are usually very low (1-2 million kip – under 100$). This means that people have to withdraw money often and pay various fees. While these fees might not be very high (10.000 – 30.000 kip – 1-3 USD per withdrawal), they can sum up for many transactions. There are no ATMs in remote places so I recommend bringing cash with you.

Socket types

Laos uses many types of power plugs, including type A, B, C, E and F. The standard voltage is 230V. To find out how each socket type looks, click here. I recommend buying a universal adapter like this one.

Best time to visit

Laos is a small country compared to others in the area and it does not have a coastal region. There are two main seasons in Laos – dry and wet, each of them having its charm. However, for most travelers and most activities, the best time to visit Laos is from November to January, when the weather is dry and temperatures are moderate. In some areas of the northern highlands, the weather can get cold at times. The monsoon season in Laos lasts from May to October, and while the weather is still hot, there are frequent and heavy showers almost every day.

Public transport

The transportation network is pretty slow and unreliable although it has made some progress in the last decade. A few highways connect the main cities. The fastest, most comfortable and usually the safest way to cover long distances between destinations is by airplane, but this is also the most expensive option. I recommend traveling by bus or minibus when in Laos. It’s an affordable option but not a reliable one. Buses are often delayed. Laos has no railways, except for a short sector connecting the capital to Thailand.

Tuk-tuks

When traveling short distances inside a city, I recommend using the tuk-tuk, jumbo or samlor. You’ll see them parked along the streets. Make sure to negotiate the price for the journey in advance. Otherwise, you can expect to be asked to pay 5 times the actual price. For example, when traveling in Vientiane, you should pay between $1.5 and $4 for a tuk-tuk journey, depending on your destination.

Buses

Buses are the cheapest and usually the most popular way to get from one destination to another ($10-$15). They connect most of the cities, towns and places inside the country. Keep in mind that buses are usually pretty old and slow and often delayed. Everything moves slower in Laos, which is part of its charm, so don’t expect to get anywhere fast. The most popular routes get crowded fast. You can buy tickets directly from the station or online. Some minibuses are faster and more expensive, but also less comfortable than buses, especially for longer distances.

Airplanes

The state company Lao Airlines flies almost all the destinations within the country, with frequent flights between the major cities. Prices are usually higher than those practiced in other countries in Southeast Asia. However, it’s more convenient to take the plane from Vientiane to Luang Prabang for 40 minutes instead of spending close to 12 hours on a bus. When I visited Laos, I chose the bus and I regret this decision.

Laos is one of the cheapest destinations in the world. It’s on every backpacker’s bucket list and for a good reason. Apart from its incredible nature, the prices in Laos are affordable when compared to countries like Malaysia or Thailand.

If you want to save lots of money, I recommend traveling during the monsoon season (May to October). Yes, you can expect some rain but if you don’t mind it, you’ll save a lot of money.

To give you an idea about the daily budget you’ll need when traveling to Laos, see the table below.

When planning for your trip to Laos, don’t forget about travel insurance! You never know what might happen and it’s best to be safe than sorry. Use the box below to get a quote for a travel insurance that best fits your needs.

Microfiber towels

Packing cubes

Collapsible water bottle

Travel organizer