Southeast Asia

Money, cards and tipping in Laos

Capital: VientianeLao, French, EnglishUpdated October 2026

LAKKip

Money in Laos

Mostly cash Mostly cash in kip; hotels and tour agencies may take US dollars or Thai baht. Cards only at upmarket hotels and restaurants. US$1 ≈ ₭22,287.30 (03 Oct 2026).

Key facts

Tipping: Not customary; leaving small change is appreciated. Tip guides and drivers at the end of a tour.
ATMs: BCEL and other bank ATMs accept foreign cards but cap each withdrawal low and charge a fee every time.
Paying by phone: Lao QR (BCEL One) is everywhere but needs a local account; Thai banking apps can pay many Lao QR codes.
Price level: about 23% of US prices (World Bank PPP).

Cash or card, by place

Place	Cards	Notes
Luang Prabang	Mostly cash	Cash in kip for markets, tuk-tuks and street food. Cards at hotels and a few restaurants, often with a surcharge; ATMs are in the center.
Vang Vieng	Mostly cash	Cash kip for most things; some tour agencies and guesthouses accept cards with a fee. ATMs are in the center but can run out.
Vientiane	Mostly cash	Mostly cash in kip. Cards at upmarket hotels, supermarkets and malls; Thai baht and US dollars accepted by some shops.
4000 Islands	Cash only	Cash only in practice. Bring enough kip from Pakse; island ATMs are rare and often empty, and cards seldom work.
Pakse	Mostly cash	Cash in kip for most things. ATMs in town; cards at a few hotels and tour agencies, often with fees.
Nong Khiaw	Cash only	Cash kip only in practice. Bring plenty from Luang Prabang; the village ATM is unreliable and cards are rarely accepted.
Thakhek	Mostly cash	Mostly cash in kip; some guesthouses accept Thai baht or USD. Cards are rare outside a few hotels; ATMs cap withdrawals.
Phonsavan	Mostly cash	Mostly cash in kip; a few tour agencies take USD or baht. ATMs exist in town but cap withdrawals, so bring spare cash.

Quick answers

Do you tip in Laos?

Not customary; leaving small change is appreciated. Tip guides and drivers at the end of a tour.

Is Laos cashless?

Mostly cash. Mostly cash in kip; hotels and tour agencies may take US dollars or Thai baht. Cards only at upmarket hotels and restaurants.

What currency does Laos use?

The Kip (LAK). US$1 ≈ ₭22,287.30 (03 Oct 2026).

Sources

Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.