Laos in Southeast Asia is a gem gem known for its mountainous terrain, culture and monasteries. From the tranquil town of Luang Prabang and the mysterious Plain of Jars to the vibrant capital of Vientiane and the serene 4,000 Islands, Laos offers a peaceful and authentic experience. To navigate this laid-back country with ease, it’s important to understand the local currency and cash, cash and ATMs in Laos and available payment options. This guide will provide you with the financial insights needed to explore the untouched beauty and rich cultural tapestry of Laos with confidence and tranquility.
You may also enjoy reading Ultimate guide on how to save money for travelling in 2025.
Where can I find ATMs in Laos?
In Laos, more than 1,300 ATMs serve the cities and some towns, courtesy of top 6 banks. But ATMs are less frequent in remote areas and islands. You’ll usually find them at airports, market squares, and main tourist areas.
You can find ATMs at:
- major transport hubs, central markets, busy tourist streets, malls, and near banks.,
- Central Markets,
- Busy tourist streets,
- Malls,
- Near Banks.
It will be difficult to find ATMs in:
- Small airports,
- Regional bus stops,
- Interior of the villages,
- In small towns, off the main streets,
- Religious places,
- Remote resorts and retreats.
Best ATMs to use in Laos for foreigners
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Laos are those owned by popular banks such as:
Lao Development Bank,
BCEL,
BFL,
Phongsavanh Bank, and
LaoViet Bank.
Global ATM alliance: Global ATM Alliance is a partnership among many banks in the world to allow its customers to withdraw cash from all partner banks abroad without any ATM fee. Many banks in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and Latin America are part of the Global ATM Alliance, including Bank of America, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, and others. BUT, there is no local bank in Laos part of this network. So don’t rely on this.
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
In Laos, some ATMs may ask – Accept OR Decline Conversion (also known as With or Without Conversion, or Charge in KIP).
- If you ‘Accept’ – ATM converts your money at ATM’s set exchange rate and you pay an extra % fee to the ATM for currency conversion also.
- If you ‘Decline’ – ATM will convert at exchange rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.).
So, to avoid extra fees while withdrawing cash in Laos, select ‘Decline/Without’ Conversion or ‘Charge in KIP’.
If you’d like to understand more, read ATM fees abroad: Charges to use cards at foreign ATMs explained.
Can I use a foreign debit or credit card at an ATM in Laos?
Yes, many types of foreign cards are easily accepted at ATMs in Laos.
For a detailed guide, read Money and Currency in Laos.
What are the ATM opening hours?
ATMs are almost perpetually open, providing service 24 hours a day, throughout the week. Standalone ATMs are consistently accessible, though some within bank branches observe the hours of 9 am to 3 pm.
What do they call ATMs in Laos?
Word ATM is widely used in Vietnam or only the signage of bank name.
PIN type
ATMs in Laos primarily accept 4-digit PINs. Some ATMs may accept longer PINs, but 4 digits are standard.
Also, many merchants used old machines which require a magnetic stripe on the card and not just a chip-and-pin card.
Languages at ATMs in Laos
In Laos, ATMs offer Lao and English, and sometimes Thai. If these are unfamiliar, consider using Google Translate’s camera for live translation, but take your time as it may not be entirely accurate.
If you’re not familiar with these languages, that’s totally fine. Try out Google Translate’s camera feature to instantly translate the text on your phone! Just a heads up – these translations might not always be 100% accurate, so it’s best to take your time and not rush through the transaction.”
Do ATMs in Laos work similarly as other countries?
Laos has modern ATMs akin to those in developed economies, complete with similar functionalities. Some may hold onto your card until the transaction is complete, so don’t leave it behind.
Join the discussion, read and share cash related travel experiences on ATM Fee Saver’s Community Travel Forum at Money & Travel in South East Asia.
What currencies can I withdraw from ATMs in Laos?
ATMs in Laos dispense only the official currency Lao Kip (KIP).
ATM withdrawal limits in Laos?
ATMs in Laos have a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction of anywhere between LAK 1 million to LAK 3 million (Laotian KIP).
ATM Fees in Laos?
There are usually no fee-free ATMs in Laos. Majority of the bank ATMs charge LAK 20,000 to LAK 40,000 per transaction as ATM Fees to foreign cardholders (Laotian Kip). LDB previously did not charge ATM fee for Visa cards from European Union, however, that has stopped and even cards from European Union are charged ATM Access fees. Furthermore, another bank charges as high 4% of the transaction amount as ATM Fees. So, there are no fee-free ATMs you can use in Laos as a foreign cardholder.
Apart from ATM Access Fees, there can be other potential charges to withdraw cash in Laos – something every traveller handling cash in Laos should be aware of. These are:
- Currency Conversion Fees (Accept or Decline Conversion)
- Your Bank’s currency conversion fee – Some banks charge the card holder a fee to use the card abroad. Cross check with your bank on what the charges are.
How to avoid high fees when withdrawing cash in Laos?
- Use the fee-free or lower fee ATMs in the country.
- Use the ATM Fee Saver app to find fee-free or low-fee ATMs.
- Opt for “Decline Conversion” or “Without Conversion” during ATM transactions.
- Consider getting a fee-free travel card from your home country.
- Get one Visa and one Mastercard fee-free cards as some ATMs abroad accept only Visa and some only Mastercard.
- Avoid using ATMs at the airports, sometimes they have higher fees.
For a detailed guide, read Withdrawing cash abroad? 9 best ways to save foreign ATM fees.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs in Laos?
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Laos. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including Laos.
Download now from the App Store or Play Store.
Download ATM Fee Saver now.
Is it safe to use Laos ATMs?
Generally speaking, ATMs in Laos are equipped with security measures such as cameras and guards, and incidents of crime in their vicinity are relatively low. However, pickpocketing is a more common occurrence.
To be safe, use precautions such as:
- Use the ATMs located inside bank branches instead of standalone ones.
- Avoid using ATMs on empty streets or late at night.
- Keep your card visible at all times.
- Cover the PIN pad with the palm of your hand to avoid revealing your PIN to hidden cameras.
- If you find any suspicious devices attached around the keypad area of the ATM, do not use the ATM.
- Be aware of your surroundings, if you see suspicious people, move away.
- Keep two or more cards as backup.
- If also using your mobile phone for the transaction, avoid using public Wi-Fi. Use VPN for extra protection.
FAQs
What to do if an ATM takes your card?
If an ATM in Laos takes your card, contact the bank (if you used an ATM inside a bank branch), they may retreive your card if you have proof of identity. You can also contact the bank’s helpline but they usually retreive and resend new cards only for their own customers. If so, you’ll need to contact your own bank and ask them to deliver a new card at home or abroad.
Fee-free ATMs and possible to withdraw cash free of cost at ATMs here?
Yes, it is possible. There is only one fee-free ATM in Laos, that too for some specific cards only. Majority of the bank ATMs charge LAK 20,000 to LAK 40,000 per transaction as ATM Fees to foreign cardholders (Laotian Kip). One bank does not charge any ATM fee for Visa cards from European Union and one bank charges 4% of the transaction amount as ATM Fees. So, there are limited fee-free ATMs you can use in Laos as a foreign cardholder!
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted at ATMs in Laos?
Yes. You can usually use cards from the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and other countries at ATMs in Laos.
Bitcoin ATMs?
No, there are no Bitcoin ATMs in Laos.
Foreign bank ATMs’ in Laos
Bank of America: Nope.
Citbank: No.
Barclays: Yes, there are a few Barclays Bank ATMs in Italy.
HSBC: None at all.
Standard Chartered: Nope.
