Laos Travel Guide

Written by Alex Robinson, travel journalist and our Laos specialist · Updated November 2026

Laos Travel Guide: What to Know Before You Go

Laos is a slow, gentle country to travel in, with friendly people, beautiful rivers and mountains and very few crowds. Travel is simpler than it used to be, with a fast train linking Vientiane, Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang, but it still pays to be prepared. This guide covers visas, the online arrival form, health, money, safety and local customs. For where to go and our sample routes, see our Laos bespoke holidays.

Reasons to visit Laos:

• Rich Cultural Heritage: Experience ancient Buddhist temples, traditional customs, and daily alms-giving ceremonies, especially in Luang Prabang.
• Stunning Natural Beauty: Explore lush landscapes, including the Kuang Si Waterfalls, Mekong River, and the limestone karsts of Vang Vieng.
• Adventure Activities: Enjoy trekking, kayaking, tubing, and exploring caves and remote areas like the Bolaven Plateau and 4,000 Islands.
• Laid-Back Atmosphere: Laos offers a peaceful, slow-paced environment, perfect for relaxation and escaping tourist crowds.
• Authentic Local Experience: Discover ethnic villages, traditional arts, local markets, and warm, welcoming locals.

Preparing For A Trip To Laos?

When to Go: Laos’s Seasons

Getting There and Around

There are no direct flights from the UK. Most visitors fly to Bangkok, Hanoi or another Asian hub and connect to Luang Prabang or Vientiane, or arrive overland from northern Thailand by boat on the Mekong. Within Laos, the fast train links Vientiane, Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang in a few hours, and short domestic flights reach Pakse in the south. Elsewhere, roads are slow and winding, so we use private cars with experienced drivers and plan realistic journey times.

Money

The currency is the Lao kip. Cards are accepted in some hotels and restaurants in Luang Prabang and Vientiane, but you’ll need cash almost everywhere else. Cash machines are found in the main towns but often have low withdrawal limits, so take out money when you can. US dollars are useful as a back-up.

Staying Safe

Laos is generally safe and relaxed for visitors. The UK government advises against all but essential travel to some parts of the country, and none of our itineraries go there. Please also know these points:

• Unexploded bombs: unexploded ordnance from the 1960s and 1970s is still found in rural areas. Stay on main paths, walk with local guides and never pick up metal objects.
• Methanol in drinks: there have been deaths from drinks containing methanol, including in bars and hotels. Avoid spirits and cocktails of unknown origin, and get help immediately if you feel unwell after drinking.
• Drugs: Laos has zero tolerance for drugs, including cannabis, with very long prison sentences.
• Motorbikes: never leave your passport as a deposit when renting a motorbike.

Local Customs and Etiquette

• Temples: cover your shoulders and knees and take your shoes off before entering.
• Alms giving: in Luang Prabang, watch quietly from across the street, don’t use flash and never get in the monks’ way. Only take part if you mean it, with food bought from a proper source.
• Monks: women should not touch a monk or hand things to him directly.
• Greetings: the nop, palms together with a slight bow, is the traditional greeting.
• Stay calm: showing anger or raising your voice is seen as a loss of face.

Food and Drink

Lao food is fresh, herby and often spicy. Try larb, a minced meat salad with herbs and lime, sticky rice eaten with your fingers, grilled Mekong fish and the Lao version of green papaya salad. In Luang Prabang, the French influence shows in good coffee and baguettes. Drink bottled or filtered water, and the local Beerlao.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Laos online arrival form?

All visitors must complete Laos’s online arrival and departure form within three days before arriving and again within three days before leaving. It is separate from your visa. Keep the confirmation to show at immigration.

Is Laos safe for tourists?

Yes, Laos is generally safe and relaxed. The main risks are road travel, unexploded ordnance in rural areas and methanol in some drinks. Travelling with a private driver and local guides, as on our holidays, avoids most of them.

Can I use credit cards in Laos?

Only in some hotels and restaurants in Luang Prabang and Vientiane. Elsewhere, you’ll need cash in Lao kip. Cash machines are in the main towns, but often have low limits, so carry some US dollars as a back-up.

Do you tip in Laos?

Tipping is not expected but is appreciated. Leaving small change in restaurants is normal, and it’s usual to tip guides and drivers at the end of a tour.

What plugs are used in Laos?

Laos uses 230V electricity, and most sockets take two-pin plugs, either flat or round. UK plugs don’t fit, so bring a travel adaptor.

Is it safe to drink alcohol in Laos?

Beer and wine from reputable sources are fine, and Beerlao is excellent. Be careful with spirits, especially cheap local spirits and cocktails, as there have been deaths from drinks contaminated with methanol. Seek medical help immediately if you feel unwell after drinking.

How should I watch the alms giving in Luang Prabang?

Arrive before dawn, stand quietly on the opposite side of the street and dress modestly. Don’t use flash, don’t get close to the monks for photos and don’t follow the procession. If you’d like to take part, your guide can arrange it respectfully.

Plan Your Laos Holiday

See our Laos bespoke holidays and the 15-day Wild Laos itinerary, browse our Laos hotels, or combine Laos with Thailand, Vietnam or Cambodia. To start planning, request a video call with Alex.