The currency unit of Laos is the Kip. Currently, you will get about rateEUR Lao Kip for an euro or rateUSD Kip for one US Dollar. There are banknotes of 50.000, 20.000, 10.000, 5.000, 2.000, 1.000, and 500 kip. You are not likely to see the smaller bills of 100, 50, 20, 10 and even 1 Kip. In many places, Thai Baht and US Dollars are accepted as well. The euro is not generally accepted. But you will always get the most out of your money, when you pay with Lao Kip.

Money machines
Until recently, there wat not a single ATM anywhere in Laos, but this is rapidly changing. It should be no problem now to find ATM's in cities like Huay Xai, Luang Prabang, Pakse, Vang Vieng or Vientiane. Outside the cities, it becomes a little bit more difficult. Apart this, the machines don't always work as they should. Don't relay on your plastic money too much, and always make sure to have enough cash money with you.

• ATM locations BCEL Bank
  

Traveller cheques
Traveller cheques are just no good in Laos. It is often complicated or plain impossible to change them. It will take lots of time and you will loose lots of money in commissions.

Exchange rate calculation
Just to give you an idea, you can enter an amount here. You can enter the currency of your choice, and the amount of the other currencies will be calculated immediately, based upon the most recent exchange rates.

Currency rates are as of datum. Thanks to coinmill.com for providing us with the latest rates.

• ANZ Vientiane Commercial Bank
• Bank of Lao PDR
• BCEL Bank
• Indochina Bank
• Joint Development Bank (JDB)
• Lao Development Bank
• Lao-Viet Bank
• Phongsavanh Bank
• ST Bank