Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Although a law passed in 1990 technically forbids the use of foreign currencies to pay for
goods and services in local markets, many tour operators, and more expensive hotels and res-
taurants quote their prices in dollars (especially common when the price is above 200,000K).
Many shops, especially those in more touristy towns, and tourist services will accept Thai
baht or US dollars in place of kip, usually at a fairly decent exchange rate, though it makes
little sense unless you're paying for something that would require a large amount of kip.
Because of the high denominations of Lao money, it can be rather cumbersome to carry
even relatively small amounts of money in kip. It's far easier to carry large sums of money in
dollars or baht and to change them as you need to - bear in mind though that larger US notes
will get you better exchange rates. It's not possible to convert money to or from kip outside
Laos.
KIP AND DOLLARS
Prices in the Guide are predominantly given in kip up to 200,000K - above that level,
we've quoted costs in US dollars. This reflects the way things tend to be priced in the coun-
try, with more expensive goods, services and accommodation priced in dollars rather than
kip - although you will, of course, come across some exceptions to the rule. Unless you're
staying in high-end accommodation, or eating at the swankiest restaurants, most of your
transactions will be in kip.
Banks and exchange
Banking hours
are generally Monday to Friday 8.30am to 3.30pm, with an hour-long lunch
break at noon. Exchange rates are fairly uniform throughout the country, though marginally
better in larger towns and cities. Most towns have a bank with at least the most basic of ex-
change facilities - usually dollars and baht - and a wide variety of international currencies
can often be changed, including euros and sterling. Moneychangers are common in larger
towns, and rates are generally a little lower, though not disproportionately so, than the banks.
Cash and cards
The safest and most convenient way to organize your money in Laos is to travel with a credit
and/or debit card.
ATMs
are found in all but the smallest towns, though many charge a small
fee per withdrawal, so you might want to avoid making too many small withdrawals. Note
that your bank may also charge you for purchases and withdrawals made abroad; check be-
fore travelling. In addition to your card, it's worth carrying a supply of American dollars,
which can easily be exchanged for Lao kip.
Major
credit cards
are accepted at high-end hotels and restaurants in Vientiane and Luang
Prabang, and in a limited number of other tourist centres.
Cash advances
on Visa cards,
