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Travelling in Laos

With Laos Travel Plan you can build your very own, completely personal Laos trip. Simply take your pick from our bite-sized Laos tours or, if you'd rather leave the planning to us, choose from our range of suggested Laos holidays.

In order to travel in Laos, your passport must be valid for an additional 6 months after return to the UK. For more details on UK passports please go to www.ukpa.gov.uk

You must also have a valid visa to travel through Laos. Visas are available at the Vientiane and Luang Prabang airports in Laos.

Travelling in Laos: Visas

Thailand to Laos: If you plan on travelling by land from Thailand to Laos you can get a visa at the border crossing at Chiang Khong/Ban Houia Xai, Nong Khai/Vientiane and Ubon Ratchathani/Chong Mek. If you have 30 USD and a passport picture you can purchase a visa with a validity of 30 days.

Laos to Thailand: If you arrive into Thailand overland, you'll automatically be issued a 15-day visa. However, if you are hoping to stay in Thailand longer than 15 days, you'll need to to organise your Thai visa prior to your departure from the UK.

Cambodia to Laos: You MUST get your Laos visa in advance if you're arriving from Cambodia overland. It is not possible to do it on the spot. This is most likely to happen if you take our Cambodia to Laos trip along the Mekong, crossing the border at Stung Treng.

Laos to Cambodia: If you're planning to travel on from Laos into Cambodia, for instance during our Laos Island trip in the Mekong, you'll also need to organise your visa prior to your departure from the UK.

Travelling in Laos: Currency

The national currency for Lao is the Kip. One Euro is worth approximately 14.000 Kip (December 2007); however this changes day to day. There are no Kip coins so you'll receive a large amount of Kip bills. Be sure to keep 10 USD separate for departure taxes that must be paid when leaving Lao. You won't be able to exchange any Kip you have left over after leaving the country, so try to spend whatever Kip you have left whilst travelling in Laos.

There are only several ATM machines and these can be found in Vientiane. That's why it's best to have sufficient cash in US dollars or Thai baht with you to exchange at a Laotian bank or exchange booth. We suggest bringing traveller's cheques with you; these can be exchanged at a quite a few locations. Aside from the Kip, the US dollar is also commonly used as currency.

Credit cards are usually only accepted in luxury hotels and restaurants, so you may want to find out whether they are accepted. Several banks in Vientiane will give you a cash advance on your credit card.

Travelling in Laos: Additional Information

Whilst you're travelling in Laos, it's probably a good idea to leave currency, passports and other valuable documents in a hotel safety box. Never leave valuable documents in your hotel room. Cleaning personnel always have a copy of your hotel room key. We also suggest you do not carry all of your valuables with you when out on the street after dark.

Personal expenses depend on your spending patterns. Whilst travelling in Laos, you should count on spending approximately £100 per week on food, drinks, tips, entrance fees and souvenirs.

Tipping at small restaurants is not common; however it is very much appreciated. Salaries are based on the level in which an employee is tipped. Five to ten percent of the total charge is common and local guides and drivers also appreciate a small tip.

Travelling in Laos - Currency information

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