I did a search but didn't find anything current....$ in Luang Prabang?
Jan 18th, 2009, 02:56 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 676
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I did a search but didn't find anything current....$ in Luang Prabang?
I know that Cambodia readily takes dollars but I haven't heard about recent visits to Luang Prabang and if american dollars are preferred?
Is it better to use the local currency as far as the exchange rate?
Is it better to use the local currency as far as the exchange rate?
Jan 18th, 2009, 03:08 PM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You'll want to use kip in LP. Yes, some places will take dollars, but you are better off using kip. Do note that you won't want to exchange more than say, $20 at a time, as $20 worth of kip is the size of a brick. The kip, like the riel and the dong is worthless outside it's home country, so spend it or donate it.
Jan 18th, 2009, 03:22 PM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To add to Kathie's post - there are a few ATMs around LP and you can get Kip there. Maximum withdraw per transaction is 700,000 kip or around $80. Biggest bank note is 100,000 kip or around $12. Thai Baht is widely accepted too so if you're coming from Thailand you can easily use the Baht there.
Jan 18th, 2009, 03:30 PM
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 676
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
we will be coming to LP by way from Siem Reap by way of BKK....not sure that we will have spent all the BHT...if not we'll use them in LP.
I read on this board that there were 2 ATM's in LP...one of which didn't work and the other only had money til noonish....
I've also emailed Ivan at the Apsara hotel to ask him...I'll let you all know what he tells me when I hear back.
Thanks for your replies....we're getting down to the wire now...I'm laying out all my stuff...it's getting very exciting!!!
5 days.........
I read on this board that there were 2 ATM's in LP...one of which didn't work and the other only had money til noonish....
I've also emailed Ivan at the Apsara hotel to ask him...I'll let you all know what he tells me when I hear back.
Thanks for your replies....we're getting down to the wire now...I'm laying out all my stuff...it's getting very exciting!!!
5 days.........
Jan 18th, 2009, 03:37 PM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We were there last month and I count 4 ATMs in LP, one at the airport, two on the main road of the night market and one in the new part of town right opposite a very good noodle(pho) restaurant. Out of the 5 days we were there only on one occasion did the machines on the main road ran out of money.
Jan 18th, 2009, 04:10 PM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I only used the Thai debit cards from the Bangkok Bank and the Siam Commercial Bank(BBL had a Visa logo and the SCB had a MC logo). I only used my credit cards at my hotel and restaurants with a hefty 5% surcharge!
Jan 18th, 2009, 04:11 PM
#8
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 441
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kip seems to be preferred. I used a Visa based travel card and had no worries using it anywhere in Laos. Re exchanging money, ATMs give you a choice of 100,000 or 700,000 kip per transaction and charge you a separate fee each time!
ATMs provided usually 50,000 kip notes so 700,000 is not a lot to carry round. You may have trouble with change in smaller places but Luang Prabang is fine.
The only place i had trouble with an ATM running out of money was at Phonsovan and it was at the end of the day so I went back next morning.
ATMs provided usually 50,000 kip notes so 700,000 is not a lot to carry round. You may have trouble with change in smaller places but Luang Prabang is fine.
The only place i had trouble with an ATM running out of money was at Phonsovan and it was at the end of the day so I went back next morning.
