Laos travel details
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Laos has a population of 6M with main currency as Laotian Kip. The languages spoken are Lao. Laos travel safety advice is Exercise normal safety precautions. Automatic teller machines are rare in Laos. Internet speed in Laos is on average 2.4 Mbps.In Laos you drive on the right side.
Laos travel advice
⬤ Exercise normal safety precautions
There's currently an outbreak of anthrax in Southern Laos (Champasak province). Do not eat raw or undercooked meat (see 'Health').
We advise:
Exercise normal safety precautions in Laos overall.
Higher levels apply in some areas.
Issue Date : 21 May 2024
Laos weather
Laos essential details
Plugs
Laos uses 230V, 50Hz with sockets and plugs Type A, Type B, Type C, Type E and Type F.
Languages
The languages that are typically spoken are Lao
Money in Laos
Currencies
Laos uses the Lao kip (symbol: ?), code LAK.Banknotes come in denominations of 100000, 50000, 20000, 10000, 5000, 2500, 2000, 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 kips. Kip is subdivided into 100 atts. Coins come in denominations of 50, 20 and 10 atts.
ATM
Automatic teller machines are rare in Laos. Your best bet is to look for them in large cities and community places.You do not need a chip & PIN card to use an ATM — your standard magnetic card will work fine.
Internet in Laos
Internet
Internet speed in Laos is on average 2.4 Mbps. WiFi coverage in Laos is very low. It's quite hard to find one.
Phones
You can buy a SIM card for about 52,381.35 LAK, which includes 5 GB of data plan. You can choose from 4 telecoms: Beeline, ETL, Laotel or Unitel. Laos uses GSM mobile networks GSM 900 and GSM 1800. If you don't want to buy SIM card in Laos upon arrival, make sure to check the roaming charges with your telecom provider before your departure so there are no surprises when you return home.
Calling
To call Laos, dial +, then 856 (the country code for Laos), then the area code (without the initial 0) and the local number. For local calls within Laos, start with the area code (with the initial 0). In the case above area code is 21 .
Laos travel details
Driving in Laos
Road rules
In Laos you drive on the right side. Most cars have manual transmission (stick). Unless otherwise posted, the speed limits for cars and motorcycles are as follows: 100-120 km/h (62-74 mph) on motorways, 100-120 km/h (62-74 mph) on expressways, 50 km/h (31 mph) in all built-up areas and 80-110 km/h (49-68 mph) on undivided highways.
Emergecy
Universal
911
Police
911
Ambulance
911
Fire department
911
Laos map
Laos visa advice
If you're considering exploring Laos beyond the usual transit spots, our comprehensive guide on Laos transit visa offers deeper insights and broader options for travelers of different nationalities. For those transiting through other countries en route to Laos, understanding Laos Transit Visa requirements is crucial to ensure a smooth journey.