Motorcycles are the main way of transportation here in most places in Laos.
If you are going to be driving one, please make sure to always check and see if everything functions properly before driving it.
Safety in Laos What do other Racers need to know in order to be safe? Current safety protocols/precautions in place? Any relevant issues/concerns? Any precautionary suggestions?
People’s Opinions
Locals we met told us Laos is considered a very safe country and that the crime rate is very low because the police take crime very seriously.
Visa Info in Laos Do you need one? Where did you get it? Cost? Resources/sources:
People’s Opinions
We had to pay an extra $1 per person because we crossed on Saturday for the weekend rate and also had to pay another $1 per person for the visa because we got to the border after 4pm so the staff was working overtime.Other travelers were also having to pay this extra $1 for the visa.
Currency Info
Currency Info in Laos Name of currency? Where can you exchange money?
People’s Opinions
Most places will take Baht, USD, or Kip.
Kip is still the preferred money though and if you use Baht or USD you will probably get Kip in return.
There are exchange places and ATM’s everywhere in the major cities.
Communication
Communication in Laos Did you have cell reception / Internet service? Where? Carrier / Provider, where did you get phones / SIM cards, cost? Country code?
People’s Opinions
Transportation
Took an overnight bus from the border to Luang Prabang, which is a tourist town.
13 hour bus ride, only stopped one time at a rest stop so take that into account
170,000 Kip per person, which is about $21.
Travel agencies are all around so it is easy to find bus times and routes at those places. It is easier to book through a travel agency then at a bus station because they will also hire tuk-tuk’s to take you and your bags to the bus station.
Transportation in Laos What transportation did you use to enter the country? Where were you coming from? What transportation was used to move throughout the country? Be sure to include the cost per person in USD and contact info if applicable.
People’s Opinions
Traveling from Chiang Mai to Pakse, Laos:We took the bus from the Arcade bus station in Chiang Mai to Ubon Ratchatani which was about 14 hours and then bought the tickets on an international bus straight to Pakse ~3 hours and got a tuk-tuk to our hostel from there.*International buses are easy and quick because you are crossing the border with a public bus company which includes locals so it goes very smoothly. They help you through the whole process.
Shipping / Mailing in Laos Company used and contact info? How did you get packages to them?
Tips
People’s Opinions
Use discretion when taking clothing to a laundry mat. Some of our team sent their clothes to a cleaners and had to pay $8 (USD) a person. (They had originally been told a lower price.) Some of their clothes also came back shrunk. It would probably be best to do laundry where your contact suggests and not to try to find a place on your own.
Additional Info
Additional Info in Laos Anything we’ve left out? Any additional suggestions to make travel easier for others?