Laos

Staying connected in Laos

Laos rewards slow travel: the old royal capital of Luang Prabang with its dawn alms round and Kuang Si Falls, Vang Vieng among limestone peaks, the capital Vientiane, the Bolaven Plateau and the Four Thousand Islands in the south. Many visitors arrive overland from Vietnam or Thailand, and road trips through the mountains are popular.

The cool dry season from November to February is the nicest time to visit. The Laos–China Railway links Vientiane, Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang far faster than the road, but tickets sell out at busy times, so you will want data to book early.

Coverage and networks

There are 2 eSIM options for Laos. Each network belongs to the option it is listed with, so compare them before choosing.

Signal and speed depend on where you are, your device and network conditions, and can differ between plans.

Choosing a data allowance

eSIM plans for Laos currently last 1 to 30 days and come in these types:

• Daily data (500MB, 1GB, 2GB and 3GB per day): suits a steady routine. Check when the daily allowance resets and what happens once it is used.
• Total data (3GB to 60GB): one allowance for the whole trip, handy when some days are heavier than others.
• Unlimited: always read the fair-use policy; after a set amount, speed may be reduced.

Suggestions for this trip

• A 5–7 day Vientiane, Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang trip: 1GB of daily data covers maps, rides and messaging; light users can choose 500MB a day.
• Motorbike loops or self-drive trips across several provinces: 10GB or 15GB of total data over 10–15 days, since mountain-pass days use very little.
• Longer work or business stays in Vientiane: 30GB, 45GB or 60GB of total data on a 30-day plan, or an unlimited plan (fair-use policy applies).

Count your arrival and departure days. Before paying, check the exact plan for when validity starts, how days are counted, and whether hotspot, calls or SMS are included; these differ between plans.

Before you go

• Ride-hailing: There is no Grab in Laos; LOCA is the main app in Vientiane, Luang Prabang and several other towns, with inDrive as an alternative.
• Train tickets: Install the railway's official ticketing app to book ahead; stations sell tickets too, but they go quickly at peak times.
• Money: The kip is the main currency; cash is needed for markets, tuk-tuks and rural areas, while more places in Vientiane and Luang Prabang now take QR payments.
• Mountain areas: Stretches of the northern passes and the Bolaven Plateau have weak or no mobile service, so share your route with someone and carry a power bank.
• Local SIM: Sold at airports, border crossings and operator shops; you need your passport.
• eSIM setup: Before buying, make sure your phone supports eSIM and is not carrier-locked. Install the eSIM before you fly, on a stable Wi-Fi connection, following the instructions sent with your plan.
• On arrival: Set the travel eSIM as your mobile data line and follow its roaming instructions. Turn off data roaming on your home SIM to avoid unexpected charges.