Laos
ລາວ
Laos has no Uber or Grab — the main ride-hailing app is the homegrown LOCA, which covers Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and a handful of cities with fixed, no-haggle fares. Outside those hubs you're back to tuk-tuks, negotiated songthaews, and cash kip. Buy a local eSIM (Unitel or Laotel coverage) before you arrive, since signage and menus are mostly in Lao script and Google Translate's camera mode does a lot of heavy lifting.
🗺️Navigation & Maps
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Works almost everywhere except mainland China. Offline maps are critical when roaming.
Decent for main roads and towns; download offline maps before heading into rural areas where signal drops.
Offline maps with strong off-grid detail. Great backup when no signal.
Better off-grid detail than Google for trekking, river towns, and the 4000 Islands when you have no data.
💬Translation
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The universal default. Camera mode translates signs and menus instantly.
Camera mode is essential — most menus, signs, and prices are written only in Lao script.
📱Messaging
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The dominant messenger in Europe, Latin America, India, Middle East, Africa.
How guesthouses, tour operators, and drivers communicate and confirm bookings.
✈️Travel Planning
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Largest hotel inventory globally with free-cancellation default filter.
Widest guesthouse and hotel inventory in Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Vang Vieng with free cancellation.
Activities, attractions, and SIM cards across Asia. Better than GetYourGuide in Asia.
Best for Kuang Si waterfall trips, slow-boat tickets, and activity bookings in Laos.
📶eSIM & Data
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eSIMs for 200+ countries, instant install. Avoid roaming charges entirely.
Install a Laos eSIM before arrival to skip the SIM counter and avoid roaming charges.
Is Laos one stop of several?
Add your other destinations and get one combined app list, with the adapters and currencies for the whole trip.
The practical basics
Power & plugs
- Plug type
- A / B / C / E / F
- Voltage
- 230V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
- Type A: Two flat parallel pins. Common in North America, Japan, parts of Central America and Asia.
- Type B: Two flat pins + grounding pin. Standard in North America for grounded appliances.
- Type C: Two round pins. Used across most of Europe, South America, parts of Asia and Africa.
- Type E: Two round pins + female grounding socket. Used in France, Belgium, Poland.
- Type F: Two round pins + grounding clips on top and bottom (Schuko). Standard across most of Europe.
Sockets are a mix — type A/B (US-style) and C/E/F (Euro) all appear. A universal adapter is the safe bet. Power cuts happen outside the cities.
Tipping
Not expected but appreciated. Round up taxi fares; 5-10% at tourist-facing restaurants is generous. Tip trekking and river guides directly.
CurrencyLAK
Lao you'll actually use
Etiquette and scams to know
✓ Do
- Greet with a 'nop' — palms pressed together at the chest with a slight bow.
- Dress modestly at temples: cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes before entering.
- Touch nothing on a monk if you're a woman; hand items via a man or place them down.
- Keep your cool — raising your voice or showing anger causes loss of face.
- Don't touch anyone's head, and don't point your feet at people or Buddha images.
✕Don't
- Touching a monk or handing things directly to one (for women).
- Public displays of affection.
- Disrespecting Buddha images — no climbing on statues for photos.
⚠️ Common scams to know
- Tuk-tuk drivers quoting wildly inflated fares — agree the price before getting in.
- Slow-boat and bus 'VIP' upgrades that don't match what's advertised.
- Inflated currency-exchange rates at unofficial street stalls; use banks or LOCA PAY.
This page was last reviewed in September 2026. Apps launch, rebrand and pull out of countries all the time, so confirm anything your trip depends on. Spotted something out of date? Tell us — here's how we check.