What Is the Currency of Laos?
The kip (₭) is the official currency of Laos. It was first introduced in 1945, replacing the Indochinese piastre used during French colonial rule.
Currency timeline:
- 1946 – Free Lao Kip
- 1955 – Royal Kip
- 1976 – Pathet Lao Kip (after the Pathet Lao took power)
- 1979–present – Lao PDR Kip (after the establishment of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic)
💵 Banknotes in circulation: ₭500 to ₭100,000
🪙 Coins: 10, 20, 50, 100 kip (no longer in use)
The Kip in International Currency
- Code: LAK
- Symbol: ₭
📊 Exchange rate (Oct 2024):
1 EUR ≈ ₭23,725 (rates change daily—check before traveling)
While the kip is the only legal tender, other currencies are also accepted in some contexts:
- Thai Baht (THB) – common near Thai border
- US Dollar (USD) – used for hotels, tours, and large purchases
- Euro (EUR) – occasionally accepted in tourist areas
⚠ Important: You cannot exchange kip outside Laos—convert before leaving.
How to Recognize Lao Kip Banknotes
| Denomination | Color | Front | Back |
| ₭100,000 | Purple | Kaysone Phomvihane + That Luang | Kaysone Museum / Special Edition: That Luang, King Setthathilath Monument |
| ₭50,000 | Orange | Kaysone Phomvihane + That Luang | Presidential Palace |
| ₭20,000 | Olive green | Kaysone Phomvihane + Wat Phra Keo | Theun-Hinboun Hydropower Plant |
| ₭10,000 | Light blue | Kaysone Phomvihane + That Luang | Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge |
| ₭5,000 | Dark green | Kaysone Phomvihane + That Luang | Vang Vieng Cement Factory |
| ₭2,000 | Pink-purple | Kaysone Phomvihane + That Luang | Xe Set Hydropower Plant |
| ₭1,000 | Light green | Three Lao women (different ethnic groups) | Countryside scene |
💡 Tip: Larger denominations are also physically bigger—handy for quick identification.
Cost of Living in Laos (Average Daily Budget)
- 🏨 Accommodation: Budget €10 / Luxury €100+
- 🍜 Food: Street meals €1–€5 / Restaurants €10–€20
- 🛺 Transport: Tuk-tuks €1–€5 / Buses under €1
- 🎟 Attractions: Entry fees €1–€10 / Trekking €50–€100 per person
Where to Exchange Money in Laos
- Banks – best rates and reliable service (e.g., BCEL, Lao Development Bank, Agricultural Development Bank)
- Currency exchange offices – compare rates before changing
- Hotels & airports – convenient but with higher fees
💡 In rural areas, only kip is accepted—carry enough cash before leaving the city.
Using ATMs in Laos
- Available in cities and tourist towns (rare in rural areas)
- Dispense kip only
- Withdrawal fee: ₭10,000–₭30,000 (€0.60–€2) per million kip
- Safer to use ATMs located inside banks or malls
Paying in Laos: Cash or Card?
- Cash is essential, especially for small towns, local markets, and street food
- Cards (Visa, Mastercard, AmEx) accepted at upscale hotels & restaurants in Vientiane and Luang Prabang
- Mobile payments: Unitel, Lao Telecom, Beeline, Pi Pay, TrueMoney
- Credit card transactions may incur a 3% fee—cash is often cheaper
Final Words
Understanding the Lao Kip before your trip makes travel easier and avoids budget surprises.
Yes, holding millions of kip feels exciting—but it’s all part of Laos’s charm. Learn the colors, keep cash handy, and enjoy every moment in the Land of a Million Elephants.
