When traveling in Laos, it's essential to know which travel bank cards are accepted in Laos for convenient payments during your stay. It is also more secure if you don't want to carry large amounts of Lao kip in cash. However, the use of travel bank cards in Laos is primarily popular in tourist areas and major cities like Vientiane and Luang Prabang, with availability varying in more rural regions. This practical guide outlines the types of bank cards commonly accepted in Laos and offers useful tips for fee-free payments and withdrawals during your trip.
In addition to cash, international bank cards are becoming increasingly popular among tourists exploring new countries. Many banks have introduced card ranges specifically designed for overseas payments, tailored for travelers with attractive fees.
Among these, Visa and MasterCard are the 2 types of international bank cards accepted in Laos. You can use them for POS payments in hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops in Vientiane, Luang Prabang, etc.
Furthermore, you can also use travel bank cards in Laos to withdraw cash at ATMs. Generally, you will only need to pay the fees associated with your card's issuing bank, as well as the ATM fees of the local bank in Laos.
Nowadays, many banks offer a wide variety of cards, which can make choosing the right travel bank card in Laos a challenge.
When traveling abroad, especially to a different continent like Laos, it’s crucial to check if your card is usable there. Then, ensure it meets your needs by reviewing the associated basic fees, etc.
A particular point to consider today is that you can choose to open a card with a digital bank rather than a traditional one. Traditional banks like Citibank and HSBC often have quite high fees.
Online banks usually offer cards without foreign transaction fees. For instance, Wise and Revolutare are 2 digital banks that offer travel bank cards accepted in Laos, which offer best currencies coverage and different plans depending on your preferences.
Having travel bank cards accepted in Laos allows you not only to make direct payments but also to withdraw Lao kip from ATMs using these cards. Before diving into the details, it's important to distinguish between 2 common fees when withdrawing money in Laos:
Here are some tips to help you withdraw money without fees in Laos:
Currently, many travel bank cards are ideal for use during international trips. It’s essential to carefully select a travel bank card accepted in Laos.
Among them, the Revolut bank card is highly favored by travelers visiting Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. This bank card offers fee-free international withdrawals at 55,000 in-network ATMs, including some ATMs in Laos.
If needed, you can also contact a banking advisor directly through the online banking app. This allows travelers to manage their banking affairs from anywhere, especially when abroad.
To withdraw money from ATMs, you must first possess a travel bank card accepted in Laos. In this country, ATMs from various banks are easily found, especially in major cities. However, in rural areas, ATMs are less common, so it’s advisable to carry a certain amount of Lao kip in cash.
In fact, all ATMs in Laos charge withdrawal fees for international bank cards, but these fees are generally not too high.
Depending on the bank, each ATM will have different withdrawal fees and a maximum withdrawal amount per transaction. Generally, ATMs allow withdrawals up to 2,500,000 Lao kip (about 115 USD). Withdrawal fees typically range between 10,000 kip and 30,000 kip (0.45 to 1.5 USD).
Some ATMs in Laos, such as those from BCEL and ANZL, offer quick service, are easily accessible, and have a high withdrawal limit. You can find them by searching for these banks on Google Maps.
A tip: Always choose to print a receipt after each transaction to check the service fees and make it easier to resolve any issues with the bank if problems arise during the withdrawal process.
Withdrawal fees are something you should clearly understand when opening any travel bank card to use in Laos. Generally, withdrawal fees range between 2% and 3% of the amount you withdraw at ATMs. For example, if you withdraw 100 USD at an ATM, your travel bank card will charge you 3%, or 3 USD, not including the ATM fees in Laos.
Fortunately, many online banks have started issuing travel bank cards tailored for global travelers. These travel bank cards often charge only 1% in fees, and some banks even offer fee-free withdrawals.
Then, you simply need to choose ATMs in Laos to make your withdrawals. Depending on the amount you need to withdraw, you can select the ATM that best suits your needs. If you withdraw a large sum, you can opt for an ATM with a higher withdrawal limit, even if the fees might be slightly higher, as it will cost you less overall compared to making multiple withdrawals at ATMs with lower limits.
One of the advantages of opening a travel bank card accepted in Laos or any other country during your trip is the opportunity to receive travel insurance for 1 to 3 months, depending on the card’s policy and the bank you choose.
To check and subscribe to the travel insurance associated with your travel bank card, it’s important to contact a banking advisor to ensure the coverage and benefits offered by the insurance.
However, it’s worth noting that the insurance included with travel bank cards usually does not cover risky activities such as mountain climbing, skydiving, etc.
A tip: Before departing for Laos, it’s advisable to contact a banking advisor to verify the travel insurance coverage of your travel bank card. If you plan to stay in Laos for more than 3 months, it would be wise to subscribe to additional travel insurance to cover the entire duration of your stay.
Here is the complete guide to travel bank cards accepted in Laos. We hope this information and advice will be useful when opening a travel bank card for your trips. Don’t hesitate to contact Autour Asia, your Asia agency, if you have any questions about your trip to Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, or Vietnam. Our travel advisors are always ready to help you create an unforgettable journey in Asia.
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