Need to Know

Currency

Lao kip (K)

Language

Lao

Visas

Thirty-day tourist visas are readily available on arrival at international airports and most land borders.

Money

The official national currency in Laos is the Lao kip (K). Although only kip is legally negotiable in everyday transactions, in reality three currencies are used for commerce: kip, Thai baht (B) and US dollars (US$).

Mobile Phones

Roaming is possible in Laos but is generally expensive. Local SIM cards and unlocked mobile phones are readily available.

Time

Indochina Time (GMT/UTC plus seven hours)

When to Go

High Season (Nov–Mar)

APleasant temperatures in much of Laos, though it's cold in the mountains.

AThe best all-round time to visit.

ABook accommodation in advance during the peak Christmas and New Year period.

Shoulder Season (Jul & Aug)

AWet in most parts of Laos with high humidity, but the landscapes are emerald green.

APopular time for European tourists to visit from Italy or Spain, plus backpacking students with a long summer break.

Low Season (Apr–Jun, Sep & Oct)

AApril and May brings the hot season to Laos when the thermostat hits 40°C and visitors wilt.

ASeptember and October can be very wet, but there are some incredible cloud formations to accompany the deluge.

Useful Websites

Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com/laos) Destination information, hotel bookings, traveller forum and more.

Ecotourism Laos (www.ecotourismlaos.com) Information about the Lao environs, focusing on trekking and other ecotourism activities.

lao*miao* (www.laomeow.blogspot.com) Up-to-date transportation details, mostly regarding northern Laos.

Lao National Tourism Administration (www.tourismlaos.org) Mostly up-to-date travel information from the government.

RFA (Radio Free Asia; www.rfa.org/english/news/laos) Unbiased, censorship-free news on Laos from Asia-based journalists.

Important Numbers

To dial listings from outside Laos, dial your international access code, the country code and then the number (minus ‘0’, which is used when dialling domestically).

Laos' country code	856
International access code	00
Ambulance	195
Fire	190
Police	191

Exchange Rates

Australia	A$1	6152K
Canada	C$1	6110K
Euro zone	€1	8788K
Japan	¥100	7729K
Thailand	10B	2289K
UK	UK£1	9838K
US	US$1	8005K
Vietnam	10,000d	3524K

For current exchange rates, see www.xe.com.

Daily Costs

Budget: Less than US$50

ACheap guesthouse room: US$3–10

ALocal meals and street eats: US$1–2

ALocal buses: US$2–3 per 100km

Midrange: US$50–US$150

AAir-con hotel room: US$15–50

ADecent local restaurant meal: US$5–10

ALocal tour guide per day: US$25

Top End: More than US$150

ABoutique hotel or resort: US$50–500

AGastronomic meal with drinks: US$15–50

A4WD rental per day: US$60–120

Opening Hours

Bars and clubs 5pm–11.30pm (later in Vientiane)

Government offices 8am–noon and 1pm–5pm Monday to Friday

Noodle shops 7am–1pm

Restaurants 10am–10pm

Shops 9am–6pm

Arriving in Laos

Wattay International Airport Buses and jumbos run to/from Vientiane's airport. Taxis/minibuses cost a flat fare of US$7/8.

Luang Prabang International Airport (%071-212173; W) Taxis to/from the airport cost a standardised 50,000K.

Savannakhet International Airport Jumbos cost 30,000K from the airport, but drivers may start higher.

Pakse International Airport A săhm-lór or tuk-tuk to the airport will cost about 50,000K.

Getting Around

Transport in Laos is generally very good value, but journeys can take a lot longer than distances on a map might suggest.

Air Laos has an extensive domestic flight network and this can save considerable time on a short visit.

Boat Rivers are the lifeblood of Laos, making boat journeys an important element of the transport network.

Bus Laos has some smart buses operating on major routes out of Vientiane, but venture into remote areas and vehicles are as old as the hills.

Car For those with a more flexible budget, a rented car with driver is the smoothest way to cover a lot of ground in a limited amount of time.