Although Laos uses the Kip as its official currency, many shops, hotels, and tour operators gladly accept US Dollars. Therefore, carry some US Dollars in cash for convenience, especially when traveling to major cities like Vientiane or Luang Prabang. Additionally, you can exchange foreign currencies at banks, airports, or authorized money changers. ATMs are available in urban areas, but they may charge withdrawal fees. For rural travel, ensure you have enough local currency, as card acceptance is rare outside the main tourist hubs.
Laos Currency: Credit Cards and Changing Money
The official currency in Laos is the Kip (LAK), and its symbol is ₭ or ₭N. The banknotes in circulation include 500₭, 1,000₭, 2,000₭, 5,000₭, 10,000₭, 20,000₭, 50,000₭, and 100,000₭. Laos does not currently use coins in circulation.
The best currencies to take for exchanging into Lao Kip are US dollars, Thai baht, Euros, UK pounds, and Canadian and Australian dollars. Vietnamese Dong (VND) is also accepted to exchange into Lao Kip in Luang Prabang and Vientiane.
Travelers can exchange USD or Thai baht almost anywhere in Laos, including markets, hotels, and smaller stores in cities other than Vientiane or Luang Prabang. Other international currencies are only exchangeable at banks or some licensed money changers in major towns.
Currency in Laos: What You Need to Know
Although Laos uses the Kip as its official currency, many locals accept US Dollars for everyday transactions. So, carry some US Dollars in small denominations to make your travel easier.
In Vientiane and Luang Prabang, you can exchange hard currencies—including British Pounds—at licensed money changers or banks. Additionally, most major towns accept Thai Baht and US Dollars in markets, hotels, and restaurants. Smaller hotels often prefer US Dollars, so prepare accordingly. When traveling to rural areas, always bring Kip, as US Dollars may not work everywhere. Since Kip holds no value outside Laos, keep your exchange receipts to convert leftover currency before leaving the country.
US Dollar exchange rates vary widely in the UK. To save money, avoid airport exchanges unless you pre-order at a locked-in rate. Instead, order your currency online through services like MoneySavingExpert or TravelSupermarket and pick it up at local outlets or request delivery. The Post Office also offers competitive pre-order rates and convenient pickup. Always request some small bills.
Taking cash & credit cards in Laos
Do not relay on your Credit cards outside bigger cities like Vientiane and Luang Prabang, They night not be accepted outside major hotels and select shops. If you plan to explore remote areas, bring enough cash. Use credit cards to withdraw cash advances in Vientiane banks or withdraw Kip from local ATMs.
You’ll find plenty of ATMs in Luang Prabang, Pakse, Savannakhet, Oudomxai, and Vang Vieng.
Best currency for Laos other than Lao Kip
USD, Thai Baht, Euro and Vietnamese Dong are usually accepted and exchanged into Lao Kip very easy. It’s usually a bit difficult to exchange USD or other major currencies into Kap Kip outside Laos, the best advice is to keep them and exchange them upon arrival.
If you plan to visit remote areas or the countryside in northern Laos, exchange enough money into Lao Kip to cover your trip. You won’t find currency exchange services outside the larger cities, and Kip is likely the only currency accepted.
It’s also a good idea to carry a reasonable amount of smaller Lao bills (1,000 to 20,000 Kip) when shopping in Laos to avoid issues, as local traders—especially in rural areas—often can’t provide enough change.
ATM, Credit Cards & Changing Money
Credit cards are usually only accepted at +4 star hotels and a select group of shops in Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Since credit card use is limited outside major towns, make sure to carry enough cash if you’re traveling to remote parts of the country.
ATMs are also available in Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Pakse, Vang Vieng, Odoumxay & Savannakhet and you can use your visa, master cards to withdraw money in currency of Laos, the Lao Kip.
All ATMs in Laos charge a withdrawal fee. You can avoid this fee by using a FinTech solution like Revolut, Curve, or Monese. The ATM fee is typically 30,000 LAK, regardless of the withdrawal amount, except at JDB Bank, which charges 3% with a minimum fee of 40,000 LAK. BCEL used to be the best bank for withdrawing money in Laos.
Additionally, When you use an ATM in Laos, keep in mind that withdrawal Limits is usually between 1,000,000 and 2,000,000 LAK (around USD 100 to USD 200, depending on the current exchange rate) per transaction. You can usually make multiple transactions if you need more cash. Lao ATMs dispense only Laos currency (LAK) and the daily limit is only up to 10.000.000 Kip (USD 460). exchange rate of December 2024.
Money and Cost in Laos
If you’re planning a trip to Laos, you’ll want to know the costs for things like food, accommodation, and transportation to help plan your budget. Having a clear idea of your expenses will save you money compared to arriving without any information. Your budget will vary depending on how you plan to travel, where you stay, where you eat, and how long you’ll be in the country. To help you estimate your costs, here’s a breakdown of typical expenses in Laos.
Food is generally very affordable. Meals at local restaurants or street stalls typically cost between 1.5 – 3 euros. Drinks are also cheap, with a bottle of water around 0.70 euros and beer costing about 1.5 euros. Accommodation ranges from budget dorms to luxury hotels. It’s a good idea to book in advance, especially during peak times like the New Year and festivals.
Bargaining in Laos
If you see a price tag, the price is fixed, and no bargaining is needed. You’re not expected to haggle in grocery stores or restaurants either. Bargaining typically happens in local night markets, where you might negotiate a slightly lower price, though not as much as in other Southeast Asian countries.
Remember to “save face” when bargaining in Asia—keep it friendly and good-natured. Both locals and tourists engage in bargaining, so approach it with a smile. The goal is not to make the merchant lose money but to agree on a price that works for both of you.
To prepare, learn some basic local phrases like “tao die” (how much), “took” (cheap), and “peng” (expensive) to help you negotiate. Discounts can range from 10% to 50% or more. Once the merchant accepts your offer, the deal is done. Check out Language of Laos
