Part of our Laos guide.
3 places and guides from our Laos coverage, gathered into one page.
Costs: Laos ATM Fees, Laos Money And Charges
The Lao Kip is the local currency. ATMs in Laos charge 20,000 to 30,000 LAK per withdrawal (roughly $2.50–$3.50), and your home bank may add its own international fee. Most ATMs limit withdrawals to 1,000,000 LAK (about $115) per transaction. Credit cards are accepted only at high-end hotels, upscale restaurants, and larger tour operators in Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Pakse; elsewhere cash is king. Exchange rates at banks and official exchange counters are generally better than at hotels or airport kiosks. US dollars and Thai baht are widely accepted in tourist areas, but change will be given in kip. Avoid exchanging money on the street or with unofficial moneychangers.
The Gibbon Experience Laos Review - Costs, Overview
The Gibbon Experience is a multi-day zipline and trekking adventure in the Bokeo Nature Reserve. Participants stay in treehouses suspended above the forest floor and traverse the canopy via ziplines to observe the endangered black crested gibbon. The standard package costs $290 per person for a three-day, two-night trip, including all meals, a guide, accommodation, and equipment. A two-day, one-night option is available for $210 per person. Bookings must be made in advance through the official website; walk-up spots are rarely available. The experience runs year-round, but the dry season (November to April) offers clearer trails and fewer leeches. The meeting point is in Huay Xai, a 30-minute boat ride from the reserve’s trailhead.
The True Cost Of Travel In Laos
A budget traveler spending $25–$35 per day covers a dorm bed ($5–$8), three meals from street stalls or local eateries ($8–$12 total), and local transport. A mid-range traveler spending $50–$80 per day gets a private room in a guesthouse ($15–$30), meals at sit-down restaurants, and occasional private transfers. A guesthouse in Luang Prabang costs $15–$40 per night; a budget hotel in Vientiane runs $20–$50. A simple noodle soup or stir-fry from a market stall costs 15,000–25,000 LAK ($1.75–$3). A Beerlao in a bar is 10,000–15,000 LAK ($1.20–$1.80). A 20-minute tuk-tuk ride within a town costs 20,000–40,000 LAK ($2.50–$5). A bus from Vientiane to Luang Prabang (about 380 km) costs 150,000–200,000 LAK ($18–$24). A minibus from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng costs around 100,000 LAK ($12). A slow boat from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang (two days) costs about 220,000 LAK ($26). For longer distances, consult the Laos guide for current schedules. The Vang Vieng travel guide has specific costs for tubing, kayaking, and cave entry. The Luang Prabang travel guide details temple entrance fees and cooking-class prices. For the south, the page on how to go from Pakse to 4000 islands gives bus and boat fares. The Laos food and Laos drinks: your what to guide covers typical market prices for local dishes. The Vientiane travel guide lists ATM locations and bank exchange rates. The travel highlights in Laos page rounds up entry fees for major waterfalls and national parks. The visit the Bolaven Plateau Laos - itineraries & page includes costs for coffee plantation tours and waterfall entry. The fire boat festival of Luang Prabang page notes that festival accommodation often costs 30–50% more than standard rates.
