Travel essentials for Laos
Adapters, plugs, tap water, tipping and health basics.
Power & adapters
Type A, B, C, E, F adapter required
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.
230V, 50Hz
Tap water
Not safe to drink
Do not drink the tap water. Bottled water is inexpensive and widely available; ice in established restaurants is commercially produced and generally fine.
Staying connected
Reasonable in Vientiane, Luang Prabang and along the railway; thin in the mountains and the far south.
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 Laos eSIMsHealth risks
- Methanol poisoning from adulterated spirits - avoid free shots and unbranded local liquor
- Dengue fever and malaria in rural areas
- Unexploded ordnance away from marked paths
- Road trauma, particularly on motorbikes
Emergency numbers in Laos
| All emergencies | 191 police / 195 ambulance |
|---|---|
| Police | 191 |
| Ambulance | 195 |
| Fire | 190 |
| Australian consulate | Australian Embassy Vientiane - +856 21 353 800 |
Tipping and everyday costs
Not traditional but appreciated in tourist areas. Round up, or leave 10% in a tourist restaurant. Guides and drivers are tipped.
What screening will actually let you pack
Half of what goes in the bag is decided by someone else. What you can take on a plane sets out the Australian rules item by item - power banks, liquids, scissors, aerosols - and what has to be declared at the border on the way home.
More Laos essentials
Further reading: Power adapters by country: what Australians actually need to pack
How these comparisons are made
Plug types, voltages and frequencies come from the international electrotechnical standards data for each country, stated per destination with what that means for Australian appliances specifically - what needs an adapter, what needs a converter, and what should stay home. Read the full editorial policy.
Laos travel essentials FAQs
What power adapter do I need for Laos?
A universal adapter. Sockets accept Type A, B, C, E and F plugs, often several types in one building, but never the Australian Type I. The voltage is 230V, the same as home.
Planning Laos?
We will send you the Laos guide as it grows - what to book before you go, which eSIM and travel card are worth it there, and what things actually cost in Australian dollars.