Laos travel checklist (2026)

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What to sort before you fly to Laos

Passport valid - at least 6 months from your date of arrival Essential Check the expiry date now, not the week you fly. Australian passport renewals take about 6 weeks.
Apply for your Tourist visa on arrival or eVisa Essential Required for Australian passport holders. Around USD $35 Compare options →
Book proof of onward travel Checked by airlines at Australian check-in, not just on arrival.
Save digital copies of your passport and tickets Email them to yourself and save them offline in case your phone is lost.

Sort a travel money card for LAK Very limited. Hotels and a handful of tourist restaurants in Luang Prabang and Vientiane take cards; almost nothing else does. Avoid the 3% fee most Australian banks charge. Compare options →
Plan your LAK cash Carry substantial cash. Laos is the most cash-dependent country in the region and running short in a small town is a real problem.
Check your bank app for a travel flag Reduces the chance of a fraud block on your first overseas purchase.
Remember: always pay in the local currency Declining dynamic currency conversion saves 3-7% on every card transaction.

Buy an eSIM for Laos Data is cheap and an eSIM is worth having, though coverage in northern Laos is genuinely limited and should not be relied on for navigation. Compare options →
Check what your Australian plan charges to roam Under about four days, a roaming day pass often beats an eSIM.
Download offline maps and a translation pack English is limited outside luang prabang, vientiane and the tourist trail here.

Take out travel insurance Essential No reciprocal health care agreement - Medicare covers nothing here. Compare options →
Check vaccinations with your GP Hepatitis A and typhoid usually recommended; rabies and Japanese encephalitis for rural or longer stays. See a travel doctor 6-8 weeks ahead.
Check your medications are legal Bring your full supply. Counterfeit medication is common in Lao pharmacies.
Subscribe to Smartraveller for this destination Current advice: Exercise a high degree of caution. Official site →

Plan your arrival transfer From Wattay International Airport, about 4 km from the centre. Compare options →
Get an International Driving Permit Essential Only issued in Australia by state motoring clubs, about $49. You cannot get one once you have left. Compare options →

Pack a Type A/B/C/E/F power adapter Sockets accept a wide mix of plug types, frequently several in one guesthouse, but never the Australian Type I. A universal adapter is essential. The voltage is 230V, the same as home.
Plan for bottled or filtered water only Do not drink the tap water. Bottled water is inexpensive and widely available; ice in established restaurants is commercially produced and generally fine.
Save the local emergency number and the Australian consulate 191 police / 195 ambulance - Australian Embassy Vientiane - +856 21 353 800
Book anything that sells out Timed-entry attractions and popular tours often need booking weeks ahead. Compare options →

All set - you're ready to fly.

Have a great trip to Laos.

Your Laos trip checklist