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    ATM Fee Guide
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    ATM Fees in Laos

    Lao Kip (LAK) • Updated April 2026

    Laos is largely cash-based. Thai Baht and USD are widely accepted alongside Kip. Card acceptance is limited to tourist hotels and restaurants in Vientiane and Luang Prabang. ATMs available in main towns. Due to significant inflation, prices have increased substantially.

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    Tips for Laos

    • • Cash essential - cards rarely accepted
    • • Thai Baht and USD widely used
    • • BCEL ATMs most reliable for foreign cards
    • • Withdraw in cities before rural travel
    • • Night markets and local shops are cash-only
    • • ATM withdrawal limits are low (often 1,500,000-2,000,000 LAK max), forcing multiple withdrawals and fees
    • • The Laos-China Railway (LCR) is the main way to travel between Vientiane, Vang Vieng, and Luang Prabang. Tickets often require the LCR Ticket App (hard to use with foreign cards) or buying with cash at the station
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    Airport tips

    • • Vientiane and Luang Prabang airports have ATMs
    • • Get cash immediately on arrival
    • • Thai Baht accepted at airports
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    Don't forget your home bank fees

    The fees shown above are charged by local ATMs. Your home bank may also charge additional fees for international withdrawals (typically 1-3% + a flat fee). Check with your bank before traveling.

    Estimated daily expenses

    How much cash you might need per day in Laos, per person.

    Your currency:

    Backpacker

    Hostels, street food, public transport

    560,000-1,080,000 LAK

    LAK/day

    🏨 Accommodation300,000-500,000 LAK
    🍜 Food & drinks100,000-180,000 LAK
    🚌 Transport60,000-150,000 LAK
    🎟️ Activities100,000-250,000 LAK

    ≈ $25.54-49.26 USD

    Mid-range

    Hotels, restaurants, mix of transport

    1,480,000-3,000,000 LAK

    LAK/day

    🏨 Accommodation700,000-1,400,000 LAK
    🍜 Food & drinks250,000-500,000 LAK
    🚌 Transport180,000-400,000 LAK
    🎟️ Activities350,000-700,000 LAK

    ≈ $67.50-137 USD

    Luxury

    Premium hotels, fine dining, private transport

    4,500,000-9,600,000 LAK

    LAK/day

    🏨 Accommodation2,500,000-5,500,000 LAK
    🍜 Food & drinks700,000-1,400,000 LAK
    🚌 Transport500,000-1,000,000 LAK
    🎟️ Activities800,000-1,700,000 LAK

    ≈ $205-438 USD

    Cash vs card acceptance

    Where you'll need cash and where cards work in Laos.

    Credit card acceptance

    Low

    Cash-dominant. Cards only at upscale hotels in main tourist towns.

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    You'll need cash for

    • • Most restaurants
    • • Markets
    • • Tuk-tuks
    • • Guesthouses
    • • Activities
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    Cards usually accepted

    • • Upscale hotels
    • • Some tourist restaurants in Vientiane/Luang Prabang

    💰 Cheapest banks for foreign cards

    These banks charge the lowest fees for withdrawals with foreign cards.

    BankATM FeeEst. CostBranches
    BCEL20,000-40,000 LAK~1.00 USD80
    Lao Development Bank30,000-50,000 LAK~2.00 USD50
    ANZ20,000-40,000 LAK~1.00 USD10

    📍 Most widely available ATMs

    Sorted by number of ATM locations. More branches means easier access, but fees may be higher.

    BankATM FeeEst. CostBranches
    BCEL20,000-40,000 LAK~1.00 USD80
    Lao Development Bank30,000-50,000 LAK~2.00 USD50
    ANZ20,000-40,000 LAK~1.00 USD10

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