South-Eastern Asia · UN member
Laos: Travel Guide & Requirements
Lao People's Democratic Republic · ສາທາລະນະ ຊາທິປະໄຕ ຄົນລາວ ຂອງ
Laos is a country in South-Eastern Asia with its capital in Vientiane. It has a population of 7.9 million (#102 in the world) and covers 236,800 km². The official language is Lao. The currency is the Lao kip (LAK, ₭).
Where is Laos? Map of Laos
Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam.
- Region
- South-Eastern Asia
- Coordinates
- 18° N, 105° E
- Neighbours
- 5 — see list
- Coastline
- Landlocked
- Laos
- Neighbours
- Capital
- Largest cities
Map of Laos showing Vientiane (capital) and the largest cities: Savannakhet, Thakhèk, Pakse, Xam Nua, Luang Prabang, Muang Phônsavan, Vang Vieng and Muang Xay.
Travel requirements
What you need to travel to Laos
- Passport
The Lao eVisa terms say the passport should have a minimum validity of 6 months from the date of arrival in Laos; the UK government says your passport must have an expiry date at least 6 months after the date you arrive…
- Visa or eTA
Depends on your passport: of 198 passports, 16 need no visa, 145 need an eVisa, 37 need a visa from an embassy. Check yours or see Laos entry requirements for every passport.
- Return or onward ticket
No official requirement.
- Proof of funds
No official requirement.
- Travel insurance
No official requirement. The UK government says medical care in Laos can be basic, that outside the capital there are no reliable facilities to deal with medical emergencies, that medical evacuation is difficult to organise and very expensive, …
- Arrival card
The UK government says all foreign nationals entering Laos must complete the Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF) digitally within 3 days before arrival and 3 days before departure, and that it applies at Wattay Internat…
- Customs allowance
The US Department of State says the import and export of local currency is not permitted, and that ₭150,000,000 LAK or more (about US$7,000) must be declared, on entry and on exit.
- Travel advice
Some caution needed — US and UK advice.
Entry rules: TravelRequirements.info — Entry Requirements Dataset (CC BY 4.0), each rule cited to an official government source. Always confirm with the airline and the official source before you travel.
Before you go
9 things to know before you travel to Laos
- Safety: Laos is generally safe for travellers, but some caution is needed: the US State Department rates Laos Level 2 (“Exercise Increased Caution”), and the UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country.
- Best time to go: December to January — when daytime highs in Vientiane are around 27–28°C.
- Money: the Lao kip (LAK) — 1 US dollar is about 22,406.6 LAK.
- Plugs: type A, B, C, E and F, 230 V, 50 Hz — standard 220–240 V: devices from the US or Japan (110–120 V) need a converter unless they are dual voltage (100–240 V).
- Emergency numbers: Police 191, Ambulance 195, Fire 190.
- Language: Lao is official; English is also spoken.
- Driving: on the right — speed limits are 40 km/h in built-up areas and 90 km/h outside built-up areas.
- Time zone: UTC+7 in Vientiane.
- Capital: Vientiane. About 7.9 million people live in Laos.
Key facts
Laos at a glance
Languages spoken: Lao (official), French, English, various ethnic languages
Geography & history
About Laos
Modern-day Laos has its roots in the ancient Lao kingdom of Lan Xang, established in the 14th century under King FA NGUM. For 300 years, Lan Xang had influence reaching into present-day Cambodia and Thailand, as well as over all of what is now Laos. After centuries of gradual decline, Laos came under the domination of Siam (Thailand) from the late 18th century until the late 19th century, when it became part of French Indochina. The Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 defined the current Lao border with Thailand. Following more than 15 years of civil war, the communist Pathet Lao took control of the government in 1975, ending a six-century-old monarchy and instituting a one party--the Lao People'…
Read the full history
Modern-day Laos has its roots in the ancient Lao kingdom of Lan Xang, established in the 14th century under King FA NGUM. For 300 years, Lan Xang had influence reaching into present-day Cambodia and Thailand, as well as over all of what is now Laos. After centuries of gradual decline, Laos came under the domination of Siam (Thailand) from the late 18th century until the late 19th century, when it became part of French Indochina. The Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 defined the current Lao border with Thailand. Following more than 15 years of civil war, the communist Pathet Lao took control of the government in 1975, ending a six-century-old monarchy and instituting a one party--the Lao People's Revolutionary Party--communist state. A gradual, limited return to private enterprise and the liberalization of foreign investment laws began in the late 1980s. Laos became a member of ASEAN in 1997 and the WTO in 2013. In the 2010s, the country benefited from direct foreign investment, particularly in the natural resource and industry sectors. Construction of a number of large hydropower dams and expanding mining activities have also boosted the economy. Laos has retained its official commitment to communism and maintains close ties with its two communist neighbors, Vietnam and China, both of which continue to exert substantial political and economic influence on the country. China, for example, provided 70% of the funding for a $5.9 billion, 400-km railway line between the Chinese border and the capital Vientiane, which opened for operations in 2021. Laos financed the remaining 30% with loans from China. At the same time, Laos has expanded its economic reliance on the West and other Asian countries, such as Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. Nevertheless, despite steady economic growth for more than a decade, it remains one of Asia's poorest countries.
Location
Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam
Climate
tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April)
Terrain
mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus
Highest point
Phu Bia 2,817 m
Natural resources
timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones
Natural hazards
floods, droughts
National symbols
elephant
Driving
Speed limits & road rules in Laos
The default speed limits in Laos are 40 km/h in built-up areas and 90 km/h outside built-up areas. The legal alcohol limit for drivers is 0.5‰. Posted signs always take priority over these defaults.
- 4040 km/hBuilt-up areasTowns and citiesWHO data (2017)
- 9090 km/hOutside built-up areasCountry roadsWHO data (2017)
- International Driving PermitRecognised: 1949 GenevaCarry the IDP together with your national licence
- Driving sideDrive on the rightOvertake on the left
- Alcohol limit0.5‰ blood alcohol (0.05% BAC)
- Seat beltsRequired by law
- Child seatsRequired by law
- Motorcycle helmetsRequired for riders
- Road deaths (2021)16.4 per 100,000 peopleHigher than most countries (median 12.4)
Speed limits: OpenStreetMap wiki — Default speed limits (CC BY-SA 2.0) and WHO. Road-safety laws: WHO Global Health Observatory. Compare speed limits and alcohol limits by country. Defaults for cars; local signs, weather and vehicle type can lower them.
Safety
Is Laos safe to visit?
Laos is generally safe for travellers, but some caution is needed: the US State Department rates Laos Level 2 (“Exercise Increased Caution”), and the UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country.
US State Department
UK Foreign Office (FCDO)Latest update: Updated information on flooding risks during periods of heavy rain (‘Safety and security’ page).
Updated 13 Aug 2026 · Full travel advice
Sources: US Department of State travel advisories (public domain) and UK FCDO foreign travel advice (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). Checked daily. Advice can change quickly — always read the official page before you travel.
Weather
Best time to visit Laos
The best time to visit Laos is December to January, when daytime highs in Vientiane are around 27–28°C. February and November are also a good time to go. April is the warmest month (37°C by day), January the coldest (15°C at night), and August the wettest with about 246 mm of rain.
- Jan28°C15°C
- Feb32°C18°C
- Mar35°C21°C
- Apr37°C24°C
- May34°C25°C
- Jun32°C24°C
- Jul31°C24°C
- Aug30°C23°C
- Sep30°C23°C
- Oct30°C21°C
- Nov29°C18°C
- Dec27°C15°C
Best time Good Less ideal
Before you go
Plugs, voltage & emergency numbers in Laos
Plugs & sockets
- Type Atwo flat parallel pins
- Type Btwo flat parallel pins and a round earth pin
- Type C (Europlug)two round pins
- Type Etwo round pins and a hole for the socket's earth pin
- Type F (Schuko)two round pins with earth clips on the sides
230 V, 50 Hz · Standard 220–240 V: devices from the US or Japan (110–120 V) need a converter unless they are dual voltage (100–240 V).
Emergency numbers
Save the local numbers before you travel — 112 or 911 may not connect here. All countries →
Sources: Wikipedia — Mains electricity by country and List of emergency telephone numbers (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Currency · 26 October 2026
Lao kip exchange rates today
Laos uses the Lao kip (LAK, ₭). One US dollar buys 22,406.6 LAK; over the last 30 days the LAK has lost 0.3% against the dollar.
What other currencies cost in LAK
Currency converter
Daily reference rates from the open-source currency-api (CC0), 26 Oct 2026. Banks and exchange offices add a margin.
World rankings
Where Laos ranks
How Laos compares with the rest of the world — open any card for the full ranking.
Airports
Airports in Laos
24 airports and airfields — 3 large, 3 medium and 15 small, plus 0 heliports. 7 have scheduled passenger flights.
Military
Lao or Laotian armed forces
Laos ranks #115 of 145 in the Global Firepower military strength ranking.
People
Population & society
Religion
Largest cities: Vientiane (721,000)
Economy
Economy
Main industries
mining (copper, tin, gold, gypsum); timber, electric power, agricultural processing, rubber, construction, garments, cement, tourism
Export partners
China 39%, Thailand 34%, Australia 4%, USA 4%, Cambodia 2% (2023)
Top exports
electricity, fertilizers, gold, garments, paper (2023)
Travel tools
Handy before every trip to Laos
Next public holiday
Lao National Day — Wednesday, 2 December 2026. Then New Year's Day (1 Jan).
Lao or Laotian passport
Ranked #170: 20 countries visa-free, 25 with visa on arrival, 4 with an eTA and 46 with an eVisa.
Lao or Laotian passport photo
Exact size, head position and background for Laos's passport and visa photos — make one free with AI checks.
Calling Laos
Dial +856 before the local number. Internet domain .la.
Climate footprint
24.4 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024 — 3.14 t per person.
Entry requirements
Visa rules for every passport visiting Laos: visa-free stays, eVisas, visas on arrival and documents to bring.
News
Latest travel news about Laos
Azerbaijan and Laos Waive Visa Requirements for Service Passport Holders
Azerbaijan and Laos have agreed to eliminate visa requirements for holders of service passports, enhancing diplomatic relations between the two natio…
Service passport holders heading to Laos or Azerbaijan no longer need visas
Azerbaijan and Laos have exempted holders of service passports from visa requirements when travelling between the two countries. The agreement docume…
Azerbaijan and Laos Sign Visa Exemption Agreement for Service Passport Holders
Azerbaijan and Laos have signed a joint statement that includes a visa exemption for service passport holders, enhancing bilateral relations.
Frequently asked questions about Laos
What do I need to travel to Laos?
How long must my passport be valid for Laos?
Where is Laos?
What is the capital of Laos?
What language is spoken in Laos?
What currency does Laos use?
What is the calling code of Laos?
Which countries border Laos?
How strong is the Lao or Laotian passport?
What is the speed limit in Laos?
Is Laos safe to visit?
When is the best time to visit Laos?
What plug type does Laos use?
How many airports does Laos have?
Sources: CIA World Factbook (public domain); World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0); names, languages and currencies: mledoze/countries (ODbL); flag: flag-icons (MIT); coat of arms: Wikimedia Commons (file page); exchange rates: Daily reference rates from the open-source currency-api (CC0); airports: OurAirports.