Visiting Laos soon? Make sure to know what to expect when it comes to purchasing a Laos SIM card.
In this guide, weâll explain where to buy a SIM card in Laos in person and online.
Weâll also discuss prepaid SIM cards and eSIMs if your mobile supports them.
Before you read this guide, you may wonder if you actually need a SIM card in Laos.
If you donât mind not having Internet, youâll likely find free Wifi in restaurants, shopping malls, and hotels.
That said, if you need data to get around, call a cab, or translate Lao â you may want to get a Laos SIM card for your travels.
Best SIM Cards For Laos
If youâre traveling in Laos, we recommend using a SIM card from Lao Telecom, Unitel, TPlus, or Airalo. (Iâll get back to Airalo later on, so keep reading to learn more!)
That said, if youâre planning on visiting other countries during your trip to Asia, you might want to make sure to pick an option that offers coverage in other Asian countries.
How To Buy A SIM Card In Laos
You can buy a Laos prepaid SIM card in person in some international airports, mobile provider stores, convenience stores, or online.
Usually, you can expect higher costs and low data offers at the airport, so we donât recommend buying a SIM card at the airport.
That said, you wonât necessarily find SIM card shops in every airport, so itâs essential to keep this in mind. And, when you see a shop, you might also have limited options.
For this reason, Iâd recommend buying a SIM card directly from the mobile provider store. Note that you may need your passport to buy one.
Although, this means you wonât get data right upon your arrival.
So, if you prefer to be connected at all times, you could use an eSIM or purchase an Asia prepaid SIM card online.
Now, letâs take a look at the data plans offered by Lao Telecom, Unitel, and TPlus.
Lao Telecom Tourist SIM Card
Lao Telecom offers two different types of tourist plans:
- 5 GB, valid for 3 days for KIP 15,000 ($0.88)
- 7 GB, valid for 7 days for KIP 25,000 ($1.46)
Unitel Tourist SIM Card
Unitel has several different prepaid plans. The best options available are:
- 15 GB, valid for 10 days for KIP 25,000 ($1.46)
- 30 GB, valid for 15 days for KIP 40,000 ($2.33)
- 60 GB, valid for 30 days for KIP 80,000 ($4.67)
- 80 GB, valid for 30 days for KIP 99,000 ($5.78)
TPlus Tourist SIM Card
TPlus offers two main SIM-only plans for tourists:
- 2 GB, valid for 1 day for KIP 10,000 ($0.58)
- 40 GB, valid for 30 days for KIP 50,000 ($2.92)
Overall, we think Unitel is the best option if you plan to buy your SIM card in person.
That said, any would do if you canât find their store!
How To Get A Laos Prepaid SIM Card Online
If you wish to have your Laos SIM card ready for your arrival, you could purchase it online or on websites like Amazon.
Youâll find different plans on Amazon. For example, the Prepaid Asia-Pacific SIM Card works in more than 17 countries and gives you unlimited data for 14 days. Laos is included.
But there are many other options worth considering, so have a look and make sure the countries you plan on visiting are listed.
Another option is to purchase a prepaid Asian SIM card on SimOptions.
They currently offer one data plan in Laos:
- 10 GB, valid for 14 days for $49.90
Finally, the last option is to buy an eSIM card for Laos or, if youâre traveling to multiple countries, an eSIM plan for Asia.
How To Buy An eSIM For Laos
eSIM is a new concept that allows you to have a virtual SIM card inside your phone.
If your mobile phone supports eSIMs â itâs definitely one of the best options for getting data in Laos.
I started using eSIM as soon as my mobile phone supported it. To buy eSIMs, I usually use Airalo.
Keep reading to learn more about the best eSIMs for Laos.
Airalo Laos
If you want to buy an eSIM for Laos, you could purchase one on Airalo.
This website offers many eSIM cards worldwide and special plans for Asia and Laos.
Iâve been using Airalo for several months, and it works fine.
Here are the options available:
- 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $9.50
Hereâs an overview of the options available for Asia:
- 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $5
- 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $13
- 5 GB, valid for 30 days for $20
- 10 GB, valid for 30 days for $37
- 50 GB, valid for 90 days for $100
- 100 GB, valid for 180 days for $185
The options mentioned above are part of Asialink and offer coverage in 14 countries, including Laos.
Now, one important thing to note about Airalo is that youâll need to keep an eye out for the provider in each country.
Suppose you ever have trouble connecting to the Internet during your trip.
In that case, it might be because youâre connecting automatically to networks and need to select a network manually instead.
When you purchase the eSIM, youâll get access to the list of networks supported in each country.
Holafly Laos
Alternatively, you could look at your options on Holafly.
You can read our Holafly review to learn more about this eSIM store.
Hereâs an overview of their plans for Laos:
- 2.5 GB, valid for 5 days for $29
- 3.5 GB, valid for 7 days for $37
- 5 GB, valid for 10 days for $44
- 7.5 GB, valid for 15 days for $47
- 10 GB, valid for 20 days for $59
- 15 GB, valid for 30 days for $79
Final Thoughts On SIM Cards In Laos
As you can see, getting a prepaid SIM card in Laos or even an eSIM for your travels in Laos is pretty straightforward.
Youâll even be able to stay connected wherever you go in Asia without changing your SIM card, especially if you purchase an Asia plan.
I believe the eSIM card is the most convenient way to get data in Laos if you wish to have data upon your arrival. This way, you wonât need to go to a store to buy a SIM card.
Obviously, you need to make sure your mobile phone supports eSIM first.
Traveling to Asia soon? Read one of the following blog posts:
