laos

Laos Travel Guide

Trek Zone
sába̖aidi̖i
(sába̖ai-di̖i • Lao)
Say hello
90°F
Sunday
80°F
Monday

Tourist season

Are May and June good months to visit Laos?

5

May

Shoulder
season

6

June

Shoulder
season

Visa Limitations

Visa requirements for citizens of France visiting Laos for tourism.

Visa on arrival (e-visa also available)

A visa is required, but it is possible to obtain it at selected border crossing points (visa on arrival).

Daily budget (1 person)

How much will you spend on accommodation, local transport, sightseeing, meals?

Backpacker's budget
from 20 EUR

Tourist's budget
from 46 EUR

Did you know?

The surface area of Laos is 91.4 thous. mi², which puts the country in position number 85 in terms of the area in the world.

How far is it?

1. The site uses the Great Circle method of calculating distances between two points on the Earth
2. To change the cities for comparison, change Your Country in settings

The distance between Vientiane (LA) and Paris (FR) is 5739 miles

To calculate distance between your location and Vientiane click here

Vientiane
Vientiane
Luang Prabang
Pakxe
Savannakhet
Paris
Paris
Lyon
Marseille
Nice
Toulouse
5739
mi

Country Comparison

Compare Laos to any country in the world and see key differences between them side-by-side.

LaosVSSelect country
Compare
Select country

Time Timezone

00:00

Safety

General travel safety level in Laos on a scale of 1 (safe) to 4 (unsafe).

2

Level 2 • Exercise a high degree of caution (plus additional regional warnings).

Update: 13 Oct 2024

Upcoming holidays

1 June 2025• Children's Day

20 July 2025• Lao Women's Union Day

Currency

Kip (LAK) - rate compared to selected currencies

1000 LAK
Rate
Inversion
EUR
0.0407
24572925
GBP
0.03416
29269739
USD
0.04627
21612453
Update: 24 May 2025

Get ready for your next trip

With just a few clicks you can find the best accommodation, airline tickets, or buy insurance that provides comprehensive protection for your next journey.

Cities and Top Tourist Attractions

From historical cities to picturesque landmarks and fascinating places - don't miss out on these attractions when planning a visit to Laos

Map
Distance matrix
MilesLuang PrabangVientianePakseSavannakhetVang ViengPhou Hin Poun National Biodiversity Conservation AreaMuang Ngoi NeuaDong Phou Vieng National Protected Area
Luang Prabang-1374082877022666361
Vientiane137-28917167144190262
Pakse408289-12134419643793
Savannakhet287171121-2238531799
Vang Vieng7067344223-173124304
Phou Hin Poun National Biodiversity Conservation Area22614419685173-244135
Muang Ngoi Neua66190437317124244-378
Dong Phou Vieng National Protected Area3612629399304135378-

Best Ways to Experience Laos

  • Cuisine
  • Animals

Practical Information for Travelers

  • Budget
  • Currency
  • Vaccinations
  • Visa
  • Electricity

Determine the expenses for your travel or vacation budget, as well as the expenditures associated with residing in another country

More

Backpacker's budget

Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel in a standard close to 1 star (hostels, public transport). When traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher (hotel room) or the same (dormitory accommodation).

from 20 EUR

Tourist's budget

Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel (they share the cost of a hotel room, taxis, etc.) to a standard close to 3 stars. Costs for a solo traveler will be higher.

from 46 EUR

You can find out more about travel costs and prices in Laos via the Prices link

Currency

More

Kip (LAK)

EUR
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • LAK
  • USD
LAK
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • LAK
  • USD
 = 
Exchange rates provided by Open Exchange Rates. Last update: 24 May 2025
KipKipKipKip

Vaccinations

More

All travelers

You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccinations may also be required in Laos.

Routine vaccines

Before each trip, it is worth making sure that we are up to date with the routine vaccinations. These include vaccinations against measles, mumps and rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, chickenpox, polio and flu.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Reduce your exposure to germs

Most travelers

Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a digestive disease caused by the hepatitis A virus and is closely related to a lack of good hygiene.It can be asymptomatic, moderate, or very severe.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Eat and drink safely

Typhoid

Typhoid fever is an acute, systemic infectious disease caused by Salmonella typhi.The source of the infection may include dirty water, raw fruits, vegetables, dairy products, as well as dirt containing bacteria.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Eat and drink safely

Some travelers

Vaccinations and medications that may be recommended under certain conditions, depending on where you will be, the length of your stay and the nature of your stay.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.Infection occurs through contact of injured skin or mucous membranes with virus-infected blood or other secretions (e.g. during sexual contact, through contaminated needles or as a result of medical procedures).
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Avoid sharing body fluids
  • Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment

Japanese Encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis is an infectious disease caused by arboviruses from the same family of microbes (Flaviviridae) that cause yellow fever or tick-borne encephalitis.The vector of infection is mosquitoes of the genus Culex and Aedes.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Prevent bug bites

Malaria

Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes.
Prevention
  • Take antimalarial meds
  • Prevent bug bites
Estimated relative risk of malaria in Laos

Bardzo niskie

Areas with malaria

All, except none in the city of Vientiane

Rabies

Rabies is an acute infectious disease caused by neurotrophic viruses from the rhabdovirus family.The infection is most often caused by biting a sick animal or other contact of its saliva with mucous membranes, conjunctiva or damaged skin.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Keep away from animals

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is an acute viral disease which is transmitted by virus-infected mosquitoes.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Prevent bug bites
Vaccination requirements

Required if traveling from a country with risk of YFV transmission.

This section is for informational purposes and does not exhaust all issues related to vaccination. Based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

With or without a visa?

Visa requirements for citizens of

France
  • France
  • More

visiting flagLaos for tourism

Updated on 2 March 2023. Based on Visa requirements for French citizens
Visa on arrival (e-visa also available)

A visa is required, but it is possible to obtain it at selected border crossing points (visa on arrival).

  • Visa on arrival is available at Luangphabang, Pakse, Savannakhet and Vientiane international airports, the 4 Thai-Lao Friendship Bridges, 13 border crossings, and Tanalaeng train station in Vientiane. Visa on arrival facilities will be gradually phased out starting in January 2020. eVisa may be used to enter Laos through Wattay International Airport and the First Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge. The Lalai, Lantui, Meuang mom, Pakxan, and Phoudou border crossings are open only to visa holders. Visa on arrival is extendable up to 60 days.

Electricity

230V (50 Hz)

In Laos the standard voltage is 230V and the frequency is 50 Hz. Type A, B, C, E, F sockets are used.

Click on the socket icon to see more information
socket AType A
socket BType B
socket CType C
socket EType E
socket FType F

Facts and Figures

Fundamental socio-economic statistical data pertaining to the country

Population

104 / 231
Ranking
7 275 560
Lao 55%, Khmou 11%, Hmong 8%

Area

85 / 230
Ranking
91.4 thous. mi²
It is approximately 44% of the territory of France.

Life expectancy

166 / 196
Ranking
66
Life expectancy expressed in years.men 63.8women 68.3

Median age

40 / 157
Ranking
24
Average age of population expressed in years.men 23.7women 24.4

Population growth

62 / 172
Ranking
1.46%
The difference between live births and deaths. A negative value means natural loss.

Literacy

76 / 131
Ranking
84.7%
Ability to read, write and count.men 90%women 79.4%

GDP

128 / 194
Ranking
8 236 INT$
GDP per capita is gross domestic product converted to international dollars (Int$) using purchasing power parity rates and divided by total population.
Source: WDI World Bank & CIA World Factbook Country Comparison

Where to next? Discover country icon China, a country in the region worth visiting, or use the destination finder