Pinoy Roadtrip: LAOS: Luang Prabang Airport Guide: Everything you need to know upon arrival that is hard to find elsewhere

February 14, 2020

LAOS: Luang Prabang Airport Guide:

Everything you need to know upon arrival that is hard to find elsewhere

UPON ARRIVAL

These are usually the things you'll need upon arrival:

1. Mobile data

I purchased a sim card which I picked up at Bangkok airport. Bangkok is one of the places where you can take flights going to Luang Prabang. So from the Philippines, we took a flight to Bangkok, stayed a few days then took a flight to Luang Prabang. We had the option to pick up the sim card at Bangkok airport or at Siam Center. We picked up the sim card at Siam Center since our flight arrives in Bangkok when the sim stall is closed.

My review of the Laos sim card: Data speed is fast and never lost signal all over Luang Prabang, even on top of Mount Phousi. The sim allows tethering of data to my other companions, so my phone was effectively turned into a hotspot. The signal and speed did not slow down. Data is unlimited and good for at least 10 days. Price is 485 php or 9.60 usd.

I GOT MY LAOS SIM CARD HERE

You can book other Laos wifi/sim card options HERE

I saw a counter selling sim cards and renting pocket wifi in the baggage claim area. But I opted to buy in advance and prior to arriving in Luang Prabang so I won't have a problem finding currency to pay for it.

2. Currency exchange

After exiting the baggage claim area, we immediately saw the currency exchange counter, right beside the airport taxi. Luang Prabang airport is a small airport. Immigration, baggage claim, currency exchange counters and the airport taxi is all on the same level. You just follow the direction of the people who are all walking in the same direction towards the exit.

Below is where we changed currency.

MY TIP: I changed only 100 usd and it was sufficient for 4 days and 3 nights in Luang Prabang to cover food, the sunset cruise, massage and some souvenirs. Our accommodations was paid prior to our arrival. This is just to give you an idea how much you need to change upon arrival. The Lao kip cannot be changed or is not accepted elsewhere in the world so you need to spend in Laos all the currency you converted to kip. So it's best to change the right amount.

This is the location of both the K money exchange and the taxi service as you exit baggage claim. You won't miss it.
This photo was taken from https://trevallog.com/luang-prabang-airport-guide/
Thank you trevallog.

They buy the ff currency:
USD, EUR, THB, GBP, CNY, AUD, JPY, CHF,
VND, CAD, SGD, KRW, MYR, NZD, HKD,
IDR
They sell the ff currency:
USD, EUR, THB, GBP, GBP, CNY, AUD, JPY, VND, CAD
Rate is as posted. There is no commission.
The smallest bank note of Laos is 500 kip.

Rate of exchange

OTHER MONEY CHANGERS AT THE LEFT SIDE OF K MONEY CHANGER:

3. Airport taxi

Initially we booked the hotel shuttle until I discovered that the airport taxi is much cheaper. The rate of the taxi is fixed at 50,000 kip. Going downtown, where our hotel, Villa Deux Rivières Hotel , is located, the one-way airport taxi rate is 50,000 kip per group of 3 persons, approximately 5 usd. The hotel charges 10 usd one-way for a van for 4 people. We instead booked the hotel shuttle for the trip back to the airport.

I BOOKED VILLA DEUX RIVIERES HOTEL HERE

This is the location of both the K money exchange and the airport taxi as you exit baggage claim.
You won't miss it.
This photo was taken from https://trevallog.com/luang-prabang-airport-guide/
Thank you trevallog.

Taxi service rates.
To downtown, it's 50,000 kip per group of 3 persons per car
To suburban, it's 80,000 kip per group of 3 persons per car

Although it seems to give the impression that you're getting a private car for a group of 3 persons,
the ride is actually shared ride.
What they actually mean is that the rate of 50,000 is good for up to 3 persons.

AT DEPARTURE

FIRST LEVEL

Public area