Laos eSIM
Stay connected across Laos. Install before you fly.
- 4G on ETL
- Instant on arrival
- Refund if it doesn’t activate
Choose your plan
All prices AUD7 days
15 days
30 days
Good to know
Calls and texts
Laos plans are data only. Use WhatsApp or FaceTime for calls.
Your phone
It needs to support eSIM and be unlocked. Check your phone
Refunds
If your eSIM doesn't activate, we'll replace it free or refund you in full.
Laos eSIM plans at a glance
Cheapest
1 GB for 7 days, $6
Best value
20 GB for 30 days, $46, about $2.30 a gigabyte
Unlimited
From $20.50. Cheapest per day is 7 days at $5.64 a day
Network coverage in Laos
Your Travelren eSIM runs on ETL, one of the main mobile networks in Laos, on LTE. Coverage is good in Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng, along the Laos-China railway that links them, and in Pakse and the towns of the south.
Keep reading
It fades quickly once you leave the towns. The two-day slow boat on the Mekong between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang passes long stretches with no signal, the mountain roads of the north have gaps, and parts of the Bolaven Plateau and the 4,000 Islands are patchy. In the towns, LTE is quick enough for maps, video calls and uploads, which is where most travellers use their data anyway.
- Networks
- ETL
- Speeds
- 4G
What works in Laos
Works well
- Google Maps around Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng
- Ride-hailing apps such as LOCA in Vientiane
- WhatsApp with guesthouses, drivers and tour operators
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- Checking and booking Laos-China railway tickets
- Video calls on LTE in the main towns
Watch out for
- Long gaps on the Mekong slow boat and on northern mountain roads
- Patchy on parts of the Bolaven Plateau and the 4,000 Islands
- Data only: no Lao number
Arriving in Laos
International flights land at Wattay International (VTE) in Vientiane and at Luang Prabang (LPQ), and many visitors also cross overland from Thailand on the Friendship Bridge near Vientiane. The Laos-China railway has cut the trip from Vientiane to Luang Prabang to around two hours, with a stop at Vang Vieng, and tickets sell out, so book ahead.
Keep reading
The currency is the kip (LAK), and Thai baht and US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas for larger amounts. Cards work in some hotels and restaurants in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, but outside those two towns you'll need cash. ATMs are in the towns, so withdraw before heading anywhere remote.
Installing your Laos eSIM
Install your Laos eSIM at home on WiFi: scan the QR code in your order email under Settings, Mobile Data, Add eSIM on iPhone, or in the SIM manager on Android. There's no APN to set. When you arrive, make the eSIM your mobile data line and turn on data roaming for it.
Keep reading
Before any slow boat or long road journey, download offline maps and anything you want to read or watch.
Common questions
Which network does the Travelren eSIM use in Laos?
ETL, on LTE. It covers Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and the main towns, and the APN sets itself, so once data roaming is on for the eSIM line, it connects on its own.
Will I have signal on the Mekong slow boat?
Only in places. The two-day slow boat between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang passes long stretches of river with no mobile coverage, with signal returning near villages and at Pakbeng, where boats stop overnight. Download maps, books and shows before you board.
Does the eSIM work on the Laos-China railway?
Mostly, yes. The line between Vientiane, Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang runs through many tunnels, so signal drops in and out, but the stations and long stretches between tunnels are covered. It's enough for messaging and maps, less so for a video call.
Does Telstra's International Day Pass cover Laos?
No. Laos isn't on Telstra's International Day Pass list, checked September 2026, so Telstra customers pay standard roaming rates there. AT&T's International Day Pass does include Laos, at US$12 a day. A Travelren plan is one payment for your whole trip.
Show 4 more questions
When does my Laos plan start?
When your phone first connects to a network in Laos, not when you buy or install it. You can set it up at home, and the days begin when you land in Vientiane or Luang Prabang or cross the border and connect.
Can I use the eSIM if I cross from Thailand?
Yes, once you're in Laos and your phone picks up ETL. The plan doesn't work on the Thai side of the border, so keep your Thai connection or home roaming until you've crossed the Friendship Bridge or reached the Huay Xai border.
Which currency should I carry in Laos?
Kip for everyday spending, with Thai baht or US dollars useful for hotels, tours and larger bills in tourist areas. Cards are accepted only in some places in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, so carry enough cash for smaller towns, markets and the south.
Is LTE fast enough for video calls in Laos?
In Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng, usually yes. Out of town, speeds drop and signal comes and goes, so messages and voice notes are more dependable there than video.
Asia regional plan
Visiting more than just Laos?
One Asia eSIM covers Laos, Thailand and Indonesia, plus 15 other countries.
$59
Not flying yet?
Tell us when you go and we’ll email you a reminder to set up your Laos eSIM three days before you fly. One email. That’s it.