Wondering how to pay for metro and bus rides in Laos - cash only, or do cards work too?
The bus ride from Vientiane to Vang Vieng was one of my highlights. I paid 50,000 kip in cash at the Khua Din bus station, and the trip was comfortable. In town, local buses to Buddha Park were also easy - just hand over coins to the conductor. Staying at Dream Home Hostel, I had no issues since there are BCEL and Lao Viet Bank ATMs close by. Once you get local cash, transport is simple and cheap.
Transport in Laos can be tricky if you’re not prepared. I stayed near Morning Market in Vientiane and wanted to catch a bus, but the driver wouldn’t take my USD bills - only kip. I had to rush to a BCEL ATM to withdraw cash. No cards accepted anywhere, not even at the intercity bus counters. It’s frustrating for tourists who expect at least some card use. Bring enough kip in small notes or risk getting stuck.
I stayed in a guesthouse near the Mekong River in Vientiane and took a bus to Friendship Bridge. The conductor collected 5,000 kip cash from each passenger. No one mentioned cards. When I went to Luang Prabang, I had to buy a ticket at the southern bus station, again cash-only. Even my hostel warned me that “only kip, no cards” was accepted for transport. Laos is beautiful but definitely a cash culture.
Laos has no metro. In Vientiane, the main bus system is operated by Vientiane Capital State Bus Enterprise. I stayed near Talat Sao Mall and used buses to Buddha Park - tickets were cash only, around 6,000 kip, paid to the conductor. No cards accepted. Long-distance buses from Vientiane Northern Bus Station to Luang Prabang or Vang Vieng also required cash at the counter. Don’t expect card machines at stations, though BCEL ATMs are widespread.