Can UK citizens travel to Laos?

Does a British citizen need a visa for Laos?

So, yeah, my cousin went to Laos last year, right? A Brit, she is. Needed a visa, definitely. The rules, they change, though. It was a 60-day single-entry visa thingo, but that’s until the end of this year, 2024. Next year, 2025, it’s only 30 days. Annoying, huh? She got hers before she left, at the embassy, cause multiple-entry ones? You gotta get those beforehand. Definitely. Don’t even try getting it there! A total hassle, she said.

• Visa Required: Yes, for British citizens.
• Single Entry (until Dec 31, 2024): 60 days maximum stay.
• Single Entry (from Jan 1, 2025): 30 days maximum stay.
• Multiple Entry: Obtain before travel from the Lao Embassy. Seriously, don’t mess around with this.

My brother-in-law almost got stuck, he was planning a longer trip, total nightmare averted. He double checked everything a million times after hearing my cousins experience. A real pain in the butt, honestly. You know, just plan ahead, avoid last-minute problems. It’s just so much easier to avoid all that. Laos is amazing, btw! Go! Just get the visa sorted first.

How much is a Laos visa on arrival for UK?

Okay, Laos visa… lemme think. Right, November 2023, Luang Prabang Airport. Landed, bleary-eyed after that awful flight from Bangkok. Ugh.

Visa on arrival… USD$35. Exactly. No more, no less. Had to scramble for the right bills cause who carries perfect change, ya know?

My UK passport, of course. And they wanted a photo. Luckily, I had one in my bag from, I dunno, some previous trip. Phew!

It was hot and humid, even inside the airport. Felt like forever in that line.

I think maybe they take Thai Baht too, but I just paid in USD. Was easier.

• Required Items:
  • UK Passport (valid, obvs)
  • Passport-sized photo
  • USD$35 (crisp bills!)
  • Patience!!

Like, seriously, the whole process took ages. But hey, Laos was worth it. Stunning place.

Oh, and don’t forget the arrival form. They hand it out on the plane. Fill it out BEFORE you land. Trust me.

Can I get a visa for Laos on arrival?

Okay, so Laos visa on arrival… right.

I landed in Luang Prabang in, oh gosh, July 2023. Total chaos. I was sweating buckets. I was so nervous hoping I’d done everything right.

• Had to fill out a form right there.
• Needed passport photos–thank goodness I remembered them!
• Cash! They wanted dollars.
• Then waited… and waited… and waited.

Honestly, the whole arrival was a blur because of the jet lag. It was seriously hot and humid too.

It was 30 days they gave me. I think I paid like $40, maybe? It was a bit disorganized, a complete surprise.

The eVisa is probably smarter. I’d check out their website, laoevisa.gov.la.

I heard that Vientiane is the place to extend but, eh, I didn’t bother.

I only went for 3 weeks anyway.

I wouldn’t worry too much, seriously.

Passport needed to be valid for at least 6 months, I think.

Or was it more? Hmmm.

Can I travel to Laos right now?

Yeah, Laos is open. I was just there in October 2024. Visited Luang Prabang, like, the whole tourist thing.

Visa’s a must, though. I got mine online, weeks before.

Vaccination? Hmm. I think they asked, but didn’t really check. Maybe I just looked healthy, lol.

It was HOT, like seriously, sweating-through-my-shirt-at-8am hot.

The temples are… a lot. So many golden things. Saw monks chanting, early. Really early. Think I managed a decent photo.

Food was cheap. Beerlao flowed freely, that’s for sure. Sticky rice everywhere. Ate bugs, once. Won’t do that again. yikes.

People seemed genuinely happy to see tourists back.

Things I learned:

• Apply for the visa early! Seriously.
• Bring bug spray. Like, industrial strength.
• Bargaining is expected, but be respectful.
• Learn a few basic Lao phrases. “Sabaidee” goes a long way.
• Be prepared for heat and humidity.
• Elephants are awesome, treat them well. Went to an ethical sanctuary.
• ATMs aren’t everywhere, bring enough cash.

Seriously consider Luang Prabang. I also wanted to visit Vang Vieng, but ran out of time! Next trip!

How do I get to Laos from England?

England to Laos? Oy vey. Like going from tea and crumpets to, well, sticky rice. Best way? Plane, duh. Unless you fancy a leisurely camel ride. Just kidding. No camels. Probably.

• Fly Heathrow (LHR) to Luang Prabang (LPQ): Land right in the UNESCO charm zone.
• LHR to Ubon Ratchathani (UBP): Then bus it across the border. Adventure! Sort of.
• LHR to Vientiane (VTE): Capital city action.

Birmingham? More stops, more cash. Bristol? You’ll need a second mortgage. Manchester, cheaper than Bristol. Newcastle? Almost a bargain. My aunt Mildred once flew from Newcastle. Took her three days, two layovers, and a stopover in Dubai. She bought a carpet. True story.

One-stop flights? Exist. Two-plus stops? Like a bad bus route. Prices? Fluctuate like my grandma’s blood pressure. Thirty-six million Dong? Sounds like a lot, but it’s like, what, fifteen quid? Sixteen hours? Pack snacks. And a good book. Maybe two. Or three. You’ll need it. Trust me. I learned the hard way. Once got stuck on a tarmac in Jakarta for six hours. Don’t ask.

Look, flying’s the thing. Trains? Nope. Buses? Double nope. Unless you have, like, a year off. And a high tolerance for questionable roadside restrooms.

Which countries does a British passport need a visa?

Passport… ugh. Fourth best. Should be number one. Mine’s burgundy. Need new photo soon. So annoying. 192 countries. Still need visas for some. Where though? Ugh, booking flights is the worst. Remember that trip to… Kyrgyzstan? Visa on arrival. Easy peasy. Unlike…China. Always a hassle. Forms, fees. Need to double-check rules for India too. Might be e-visa now. Brazil…visa-free, right? Think so. Must Google it. checks phone. Definitely Googling later. Wait, Afghanistan? Obviously need a visa there. North Korea too, duh. Bet those are tricky to get. Cuba. Tourist card thing. Not a full visa. phone buzzes. Ugh, distractions. Passports, so bureaucratic. Just wanna travel. Freely. Maybe Bhutan? Visa required. Expensive too. scrolls through Instagram. Travel bloggers make it look easy. So staged. My passport’s getting full. Need a new one soon anyway. Ugh. So many pages. Memories. Good and bad. That time in…Peru. No visa needed. Amazing trip. Must remember to check visa rules before booking anything. Always the first step. Ugh. Adulting. So much admin. opens Spotify. Need some music. Travel playlist. Escape the admin. For now. Wish I could just teleport. sighs. Back to reality.

• Key point: Visa requirements change. Double-check before you travel.
• Some countries: visa on arrival.
• Others: e-visa.
• Some: Traditional visa.
• Key point: Research is essential.
• Examples of places I think need visas: Afghanistan, North Korea, Bhutan (and likely many more).
• Examples of places I think are visa-free: Brazil, Peru (double-check current rules).
• Examples of places with visa on arrival: Kyrgyzstan (double-check current rules).