What a visitor's money does in Laos: every guide rated from very cheap to very expensive, cheapest first, then the things that cost travellers money without buying anything — the ATM, the taxi, the SIM.
Lao Kip (LAK) · 1 EUR = 25,600 LAK · 1 USD = 22,000 LAK
The kip has lost a great deal of value in recent years, so carry small notes and expect prices quoted in thousands. US dollars and Thai baht are widely accepted, often at a poor rate — paying in kip is cheaper.
Avoid: exchanging at the night market, machines that charge 20,000-40,000 kip on top of your bank
Use: BCEL, Lao Development Bank, Joint Development Bank
Laos is a cash economy and the kip has been unstable — change small amounts often. Dollars and Thai baht are accepted at a poor rate.
A short ride in Luang Prabang: 30,000–80,000 ₭ across town — very cheap
From the airport: Luang Prabang airport to the old town 50,000–80,000 ₭
Cheaper than the jumbo tuk-tuks waiting outside, which quote in dollars.
Lao food is its own thing rather than a version of Thai: sticky rice with everything, laap, and jeow dipping sauces. The bamboo bridge restaurants and the night market buffet are cheap; the riverside places charge for the view.
The riverside restaurants are aimed squarely at visitors. Walk two streets back for Lao food at a third of the price — the market stalls do sticky rice, grilled fish and laap all day.
The cost rating is this site's own, for a visitor, from the guides' authors and the corrections readers send in. The general rules — the conversion prompt, shoulder season, the airport taxi — are in budget travel tips.
