Practical info for Laos
Emergencies, embassy, entry requirements, money: the essentials before you go, with the official source and the date each piece of information was checked.
Embassy and entry requirements shown for travellers from: United Kingdom.
Emergency numbers
Official sources give different numbers for some services: each number is shown with its source.
- Policeaccording to France Diplomatie, 15/09/2026; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 23/10/2026191
- Policeaccording to GOV.UK, 13/08/20261191
- Medical emergenciesaccording to GOV.UK, 13/08/2026 ; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 23/10/20261195
- Fire brigadeaccording to France Diplomatie, 15/09/2026190
- Fire brigadeaccording to GOV.UK, 13/08/2026; according to the French embassy, 02/01/2026; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 23/10/20261190
Source: France Diplomatie, GOV.UK, French embassy, Portal das Comunidades Portuguesas, Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych RP · verified on 26/10/2026
Embassy and consulates
- British Embassy VientianeEmbassy
- Address
- Rue Yokkabat Phonexay, Saysettha District, Vientiane, Laos
- Consular emergency line
- To call us in an emergency or send us an online enquiry use our contact form: https://www.contact.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/posts/laos/british-embassy-vientiane
Consular emergency numbers (emergencies only): FCDO, London (24 hours): +44 20 7008 5000.
Entry requirements
The rules depend on your passport: check them here before you book, for every traveller, children included.
Official page: GOV.UK (FCDO), updated 13/08/2026 ›
Source: GOV.UK · verified on 26/10/2026
Safety and travel advice
Highest level according to GOV.UK (FCDO): FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country.
Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Xaisomboun Province.
Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
Source: GOV.UK · verified on 26/10/2026
Currency and payments
Currency: Kip (LAK).
The ECB does not publish a reference rate for LAK.
Source: SIX Group (ISO 4217), European Central Bank, EU Publications Office · verified on 26/10/2026
Time difference
Local time: UTC+07:00, +7 h compared with London (calculated on 26/10/2026).
The clocks change in London on 28/03/2027: the difference may change that day.
Source: IANA (time zones) · verified on 26/10/2026
Driving
Driving licence, according to GOV.UK (FCDO): “You’ll need to have both the 1949 version of the international driving permit (IDP) and your UK driving licence with you in the car. You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel.”
Source: GOV.UK · verified on 26/10/2026
Mobile networks
Networks listed by the eSIMs we checked: ETL (Airalo); ETL Mobile (Sirocco); Lao Tel (Sirocco); Lao Telecom (Sirocco); Unitel (Sirocco).
eSIM prices for Laos
7 days, 5 GB · prices checked on 26/10/2026
3 brands compared, not an exhaustive listWhy this ranking?
Ranked by price: for each brand, the cheapest plan that covers 7 days and 5 GB.
Not an exhaustive comparison: 3 brands out of the dozens that sell eSIMs. The list of brands compared is in our Methodology.
eSIMeter is published by Mocom SAS, which sells Sirocco: the site is funded by those sales. No other brand pays us.
Frequently asked questions
What are the emergency numbers in Laos?
Police: 191 (according to France Diplomatie, 15/09/2026; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 23/10/2026) ; Police: 1191 (according to GOV.UK, 13/08/2026) ; Medical emergencies: 1195 (according to GOV.UK, 13/08/2026 ; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 23/10/2026) ; Fire brigade: 190 (according to France Diplomatie, 15/09/2026) ; Fire brigade: 1190 (according to GOV.UK, 13/08/2026; according to the French embassy, 02/01/2026; according to Poland's foreign ministry, 23/10/2026). Official sources give different numbers for some services: each number is shown with its source.
How do I contact the embassy or consulate in Laos?
British Embassy Vientiane, Rue Yokkabat Phonexay, Saysettha District, Vientiane, Laos. Consular emergency numbers (emergencies only): FCDO, London (24 hours): +44 20 7008 5000.
What are the entry requirements for Laos?
The rules depend on your passport: check them here before you book, for every traveller, children included. Official page: GOV.UK (FCDO), updated 13/08/2026.
What is the travel advice for Laos?
Highest level according to GOV.UK (FCDO): FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country. Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Xaisomboun Province. Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
What currency is used in Laos?
Currency: Kip (LAK). The ECB does not publish a reference rate for LAK.
What is the time difference in Laos?
Local time: UTC+07:00, +7 h compared with London (calculated on 26/10/2026). The clocks change in London on 28/03/2027: the difference may change that day.
What should I know about driving in Laos?
Driving licence, according to GOV.UK (FCDO): “You’ll need to have both the 1949 version of the international driving permit (IDP) and your UK driving licence with you in the car. You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel.”
Which mobile networks operate in Laos?
Networks listed by the eSIMs we checked: ETL (Airalo); ETL Mobile (Sirocco); Lao Tel (Sirocco); Lao Telecom (Sirocco); Unitel (Sirocco).