Everything You Need To Know About LAOS!
Visas🛂
The first time we travelled to Laos we purchased a visa on arrival. For this we paid 3,400 baht for two people which is around £84. We arrived by sleeper bus from Bangkok and the journey was very simple. But do make sure to have all documents such as visa photos and at the time, Covid vaccinations on you, otherwise you might have to do a quick but illegal run across the border.The second time we entered Laos, we paid for an e-visa to save us the trouble of filling in forms and long queues when we arrived. The process is fairly simple; you fill in a form, pay and then receive the visa in three days (if approved). The price for both of us came to $103.50 so £83. The best way to figure out what you need is to look on your government website or alternatively, you can use the following website:
SIM cards📱
Before arriving in Laos, we read that Unitel was the best phone company to use. Therefore, we chose to go with them. As we arrived by bus to Laos, no SIM cards were readily available, but luckily there is a big head office in Vientiane near where we were staying. It appeared to be for locals only, however this may be due to tourist unaware of its location. The process is, you have to collect a number and wait until your number is called but be advised that it is only called once and in Laotian. The reason why you should head to this building is because you can get very very cheap SIMs. We brought one SIM with 60GB and another with 40GB lasting 30 days and this came to 165,000 kip or just under £8.The second time we visited Laos, we arrived by flight to Luang Prabang so we could quickly get a SIM card from one of the many Unitel stalls. This however was more expensive. For unlimited data over 15 days we paid 150,000 kip.
Money💰
£1 = 24,871 kip
Laos is relatively cheap. We had a budget of £50 per day but there were a few times we went over budget spending £80 and other days where we went under it by £30. The most expensive outlay you should expect to pay for is the high-speed train built by the Chinese to connect the centre of Laos to China in the north.
Time⏰
In our opinion you should dedicate more time to stay in Laos than we did. We spent 14 days and luckily we had enough time at the end of our trip to return, for another 14 days, as it was one of our favourite destinations. Laos is a beautiful country and feels authentically Asian. Unlike other areas in South East Asia which have become more commercialised due to tourism. You can explore Vientiane in a day, Luang Prabang can be done in three days and Vang Vieng in two days.
Transport🚌
There is no Grab (Uber) in Laos but the Tuk Tuks are quite cheap. In most tourist areas you can hire scooters, and city bikes are also available costing 30,000 kip per day. Recently, there is now an app named Loca which is exactly the same as Grab. If you head off the beaten track and travel to less built-up areas, be pre-warned that most buses used for transportation are old, sad-looking and highly likely to break down. Do not expect punctuality and a comfortable journey.
Roads🚦
The roads outside of cities centres are in very poor condition. There are potholes and bumpy roads everywhere. Walking in Laos is very achievable. You can pretty much walk around the main areas without it feeling like a total trek and the majority of it is flat, but watch out for those pavements, you wouldn’t want to roll an ankle.
Weather🌞
Visiting during December was the perfect time as the weather was super nice. It felt like a September in England - a bit chilly in the morning and evenings of around 17 degrees, and during the day it was all sunshine and no sweat bodies!
So when is the best time to go?
Vientiane - Nov to Feb - Sunny days and comfortable weather
Luang Prabang - Nov to March - Dry and comfortable
Pakse - Nov to March - Dry
LAOS = DECEMBER/JANUARY
Language barrier💬
We honestly thought we were going into a country where virtually no one would speak English. But to our surprise, 8/10 people spoke English and with perfect accents. Even stopping at the side of the road in the middle of nowhere, someone was able to tell me where the bathroom was.
Washing🧺
Your main laundry service will be either through your hotel or a shop. Laundromats are sparse in Laos, but we did find one in Vientiane.
Destinations📍
CHECK US OUT...
Check our Youtube to see us exploring your chosen location and more
Check our Instagram to see photos, stories and reels on your chosen location
Check our Website to read a blog or two
The home for unique & authentic travel
