Travel advisory · LaosSome governments advise against travel to parts of Laos.The warnings cover only these areas: Xaisomboun Province.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Xaisomboun Province · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, New Zealand, UK, US
Also named by one government: Bokeo Province (Germany), Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (Canada), Myanmar border zone (France), Sainyabuli (Xayabouly) Province (Germany), Strip along the Cambodian border (Germany), Within 10 km of the Myanmar and Thailand borders in Bokeo (Canada)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Exercise increased caution (regional advisories) | Jul 28, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Exercise a high degree of caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | Oct 14, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise normal caution overall (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Vigilance renforcée (increased caution) for the rest of the country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Laos
Laos is a landlocked, mostly forested country on the Mekong. Travelers go for the temples of Luang Prabang and the stone-age Plain of Jars.
Laos is the one country in Mainland Southeast Asia with no sea coast. Vientiane is the capital and largest city, on the Mekong, which forms much of the western border with Thailand. Most of the country is forested mountains. The highest peak, Phou Bia, is 2,818 metres, and the main plateaus are Xiangkhoang in the north and Bolaven in the south.
Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage town with temples. The Vat Phou temple complex in the south and the Plain of Jars in Xiangkhouang province, with stone-age archaeological finds, are the other UNESCO sites named here. The climate follows the monsoon: the rainy season runs May to October and the dry season November to April. March and April are the hottest months of the dry season. Wattay in Vientiane, Pakse and Luang Prabang are the main international airports, and Route 13 runs north to south through the country, linking the main towns.
Five things to know before Laos
- Get an eVisa or a visa on arrival
UK citizens need a 30-day tourist visa. Apply for the official eVisa online before you fly, valid at nine listed entry points only, or buy a visa on arrival at the main airports. Check your own passport's rule. Lao eVisa
- Book the Laos-China railway a few days ahead
The fast trains between Vientiane, Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang cut a day of mountain road to a few hours. Seats sell out around holidays, and you need your passport to buy and board. Getting around
- Watch the alms round from a distance
In Luang Prabang the monks walk at dawn. Stand back, stay quiet, do not use flash, and only give food if you do it properly and sincerely.
- Carry kip for anything outside the big towns
Guesthouses and tour desks in towns sometimes take dollars or Thai baht, but markets, buses and villages want kip. ATMs cap withdrawals low and charge a fee each time. Money on the road
- Stay on marked paths in the countryside
Unexploded ordnance from the war still lies in parts of the east, including around the Plain of Jars. Walk only on cleared, marked routes and follow local guides.
Laos travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
The eVisa, visa on arrival and which borders accept each.
Read the guideGetting aroundThe Laos-China railway, buses and the slow boat on the Mekong.
Read the guideMoney and costsKip, ATM limits and when dollars or baht work.
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData in the towns and what to expect in the hills.
Read the guideTravel insuranceMedical cover and evacuation to Thailand if needed.
Read the guide
Destinations in Laos
Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.
- Bed a night
- LAK 100,000
- Food
- LAK 100,000
- Transport
- LAK 50,000
- Sights
- LAK 30,000
A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.
- Bed a night
- LAK 400,000
- Food
- LAK 300,000
- Transport
- LAK 200,000
- Sights
- LAK 50,000
A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.
- Bed a night
- LAK 900,000
- Food
- LAK 700,000
- Transport
- LAK 500,000
- Sights
- LAK 500,000
When to go
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- JanuaryClear2 rainy daysHigh29°Low18°Dry, cool nightsJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 16 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, cool nights
- FebruaryClear2 rainy daysHigh31°Low19°DryFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 19 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry
- MarchClear7 rainy daysHigh34°Low23°Hot, hazyMarchClear
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 48 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, hazy
- AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh36°Low26°Hottest, hazeAprilPartly cloudy
- High
- 36°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest, haze
- MayRain23 rainy daysHigh34°Low26°Rains beginMayRain
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 251 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains begin
- JuneRain26 rainy daysHigh32°Low25°WetJuneRain
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 335 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- JulyRain27 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°WetJulyRain
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 397 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- AugustRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°WettestAugustRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 486 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- SeptemberRain27 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low24°Wet, greenSeptemberRain
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 414 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Wet, green
- OctoberRain15 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Rains easeOctoberRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 155 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains ease
- NovemberClear4 rainy daysHigh30°Low21°Dry, clearNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 35 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, clear
- DecemberClear1 rainy dayHigh29°Low18°Dry, cool nightsDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 5 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, cool nights
Average daily high and low in Luang Prabang, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Laos
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
16
- Feels like
- 17°
- Humidity
- 98%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 6%
Laos
03:36 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today27°20°6%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Wed27°19°35%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Thu27°20°63%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 27°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 63%.
- Fri26°19°61%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 26°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 61%.
- Sat26°20°16%Saturday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Sun27°18°16%Sunday: Cloudy. High 27°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Mon25°16°39%Monday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 39%.
Updated 11:18 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 22,380 LAK
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Laos FAQ
Do I need a visa for Laos?
UK citizens do, and other passports differ, so check the official eVisa site. Get the 30-day eVisa online, valid only at listed entry points, or buy a visa on arrival at the major airports and some land crossings.
How long does the train from Vientiane to Luang Prabang take?
The fastest trains take around two hours, with stops such as Vang Vieng on the way. Buy tickets a few days ahead and bring your passport.
When is the best time to visit Laos?
November to February is dry, clear and mild. March and April are hot and hazy from field burning, and the rains from May to October make rivers high and roads slow.
Is the slow boat from Thailand worth it?
If you have two days, yes. The boat runs down the Mekong from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang with a night in Pakbeng; it is scenic, slow and basic.
Can I use cards in Laos?
In some hotels and restaurants in Luang Prabang and Vientiane, often with a surcharge. Carry kip for everything else.