Currency & Payment
Exchange rates fluctuate daily. Check current rates locally.
Local Currency Overview
Currency type, banknotes, and coin denominations
The local currency is the Lao kip (LAK), used for most everyday purchases. US dollars and Thai baht are also accepted in some tourist businesses and near the Thai border, though you usually get better value paying in kip. Notes come in large denominations, so keep small notes for markets, tuk-tuks and rural shops. Carry cash, as many places do not take cards.
- Currency
- Lao kip (LAK)
- Also seen
- USD, Thai baht
- Best value
- Pay in kip
- Kip is best for markets and rural areas
- USD and baht accepted in some tourist spots
Currency Exchange Tips
Best places and methods to exchange money
You can exchange money at banks, licensed exchange counters and some hotels in the main towns. US dollars and Thai baht are the easiest to change, and clean, newer notes get the best rates. Compare rates and avoid unofficial street changers. Keep some kip for onward travel, but do not hold large amounts of leftover kip, as it can be hard to exchange back outside Laos.
- Where
- Banks, counters
- Easiest
- USD, baht
- Avoid
- Street changers
- Clean, newer notes get better rates
- Kip is hard to change back outside Laos
Credit Card Acceptance
Card brand availability and usage tips
Card acceptance is limited and mostly confined to hotels, larger restaurants and travel agencies in Vientiane, Luang Prabang and other tourist centres. Many places add a surcharge for card payments, and smaller shops, markets, tuk-tuks and rural businesses are cash only. Treat cards as a backup rather than your main way to pay, and always carry enough kip for the day.
- Accepted
- Hotels, big venues
- Surcharge
- Often added
- Rule
- Cash is king
- Markets and rural areas are cash only
- Expect surcharges on card payments
ATM Usage
How to withdraw cash and associated fees
ATMs are common in Vientiane, Luang Prabang and larger towns but scarce in rural areas, so withdraw enough before heading off the beaten track. Machines usually dispense kip, charge a per-transaction fee and have relatively low withdrawal limits, so plan for several withdrawals. Tell your bank you are travelling, use ATMs at banks in daytime, and always carry a cash reserve as a backup.
- Cities
- Widely available
- Rural
- Withdraw ahead
- Fees
- Per transaction
- Withdrawal limits are relatively low; plan ahead
- ATMs are scarce in rural areas
Mobile & Digital Payments
Digital payment services available locally
Locals increasingly pay by QR code through Lao bank apps such as BCEL One, and you will see QR stickers at shops, cafes and markets. These systems are usually tied to a Lao bank account, so they are hard for short-term visitors to use. As a tourist, plan to rely mainly on cash, keep small kip notes handy, and treat any mobile payment option as a bonus rather than the norm.
- Local way
- Bank QR apps
- Visitors
- Hard to use
- Plan
- Rely on cash
- QR pay usually needs a Lao bank account
- Tourists should plan around cash
Tipping Culture
Expected tipping amounts and etiquette
Tipping is not a strong tradition in Laos and is not expected in everyday situations, so there is no need to feel obliged. That said, it is appreciated for good service: rounding up a restaurant bill, leaving small change, or tipping guides, drivers and hotel staff who help you. Keep small kip notes for this. Some upmarket restaurants add a service charge, so check the bill before adding more.
- Expected?
- No, optional
- Appreciated
- Guides, drivers
- Check
- Service charge
- Round up bills or leave small change
- Some venues already add a service charge
Price Guide
Average costs for meals, transport, and accommodation
Laos is inexpensive by regional standards, especially for local food, guesthouses and transport. A bowl of noodles or a simple local meal is very cheap, a Beerlao costs little, and budget rooms are affordable, while boutique hotels and Western restaurants in tourist hubs cost more. Prices rise for imported goods and organised tours. Carry small kip and expect to bargain politely at markets.
- Overall
- Budget-friendly
- Cheap
- Local food, buses
- Pricier
- Imports, tours
- Local meals and Beerlao are very affordable
- Bargain politely at markets
Laos does not currently operate a general tourist tax-refund scheme like the VAT refunds seen in some countries, so plan without expecting to reclaim tax on your shopping. If any refund or duty-free arrangement exists at the airport or in specific programmes, treat it as the exception and confirm the details officially, as such schemes and rules can change over time.
- General refund
- Not available
- Plan
- No tax reclaim
- Confirm
- Officially
- No broad tourist VAT-refund system to rely on
- Verify any exception with official sources