Laos
Compare rides by city, keep Lao kip, and expect the official railway app to be fallible
Laos now has useful local apps, but availability changes sharply by city.
The essentials
What to know before you go to Laos
LOCA is the strongest general ride app and Green SM is a worthwhile electric taxi comparison where cars appear; KOKKOK Move is a lower confidence Vientiane alternative. Uber, Grab and Uber Eats do not operate. Foodpanda has active Vientiane coverage, while delivery elsewhere must be checked against the exact address. LOCA Pay is a no balance feature inside LOCA that lets an international card fund participating Lao QR payments, but as of August 2026 it adds 3% plus 5,000 LAK to each transaction.
Keep Lao kip for small businesses, rural travel and outages. The official LCR Ticket app can sell Laos China Railway tickets, but registration, regional download and card payment failures are still reported, so retain an office or accommodation fallback. Download two maps before leaving reliable internet and never treat a mapped rural line as proof that land is clear of unexploded ordnance. For emergencies call police on 1191, fire on 1190 or ambulance on 1195; Vientiane Rescue also uses 1623.
Ride Hailing
LOCAEssential
Licensed local ride app with verified drivers, trip tracking and coverage in five major Lao destinations.
Green SM
Electric taxi app, formerly Xanh SM in Laos, offering a useful second ride quote where vehicles are available.
KOKKOK Move
Vientiane focused electric tuk tuk and car app where passengers can propose a fare to nearby drivers.
Food Delivery
Foodpanda
The broadest verified food delivery choice in Vientiane, with active restaurant listings and live address checks.
Chompa Delivery
Small Vientiane delivery alternative focused on local and international restaurants, with current mobile apps.
Payments
LOCA Pay
No balance payment feature inside LOCA that funds participating Lao QR purchases from an international card.
Messaging
Useful for coordinating with some Lao accommodation hosts, tour operators and transfer drivers.
Navigation
Maps.meEssential
Useful offline companion for smaller Lao roads, trails and OpenStreetMap points beyond reliable mobile coverage.
Google MapsEssential
Best general map for Lao businesses, accommodation pins, city walking and an initial route check.
Transit
LaoBus
Vientiane bus planner with routes, stops and live vehicle positions where operator data is available.
Language
Google Translate
Useful written Lao fallback with downloadable offline data, but quality and available modes remain limited.
Intercity Transport
LCR TicketEssential
Official Laos China Railway app for schedules, ticket purchase, changes and refunds on the rail corridor.
12Go Asia
Comparison and booking intermediary for selected Lao buses, minivans, boats and cross border routes.
Internet in Laos
Mobile internet eSIM Best option when traveling
Guac
RecommendedReliable mobile internet at better prices than most travel eSIMs, with polished iOS and Android apps and support for making and receiving phone calls.
Airalo
One of the biggest travel eSIM brands, with a very large destination catalog.
Holafly
Known for unlimited-data plans in many destinations, at a higher price per gigabyte.
Buying a local SIM card ID registration required
- Bring your passport; the seller registers the prepaid SIM during activation.
- Typical prepaid offers include around 30 GB, while starter prices begin near 125,000 LAK (~$5.70).
- Buy at an official carrier counter at the airport or at an official city store, and test the SIM before leaving.
- Airport prices are usually higher than city or online prices.
Bring the original passport; a photo or photocopy may not be accepted.
Local carriers
Unitel
Best choice for broad coverage, including rural areas.
Lao Telecom
A solid alternative; compare current prepaid offers before buying.
ETL
Good-value option when price matters most.
TPlus
The weakest network here; choose it only for a clear price advantage.
Frequently asked questions
What are the must-have apps for traveling in Laos?
The essential apps for Laos are LOCA, Maps.me, Google Maps, LCR Ticket.
How many travel apps does Laos have?
We've curated 13 apps across 8 categories for traveling in Laos, including 4 essential apps.
What is the best ride hailing app in Laos?
LOCA. Licensed local ride app with verified drivers, trip tracking and coverage in five major Lao destinations.
Keep exploring
Also traveling in Southeast Asia?
Myanmar
Check official warnings, plan every route, and keep cash and offline backups
Malaysia
Use Grab widely, treat Touch 'n Go card and eWallet as separate tools, and verify every terminal
Philippines
Register eTravel, keep pesos, and download maps before moving between islands
Singapore
Fast, English-friendly travel where cards work widely, but local QR still needs care
Thailand
Grab for rides, LINE for local contact, and official rail tools for longer journeys
Vietnam
Grab, Green SM and cash make Vietnam easier, while local QR still needs planning