Laos is an incredible country, one that not only lived up to my expectations – but exceeded them! Truthfully, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from Laos. I hadn’t heard much about the country and had never met anyone who traveled there. But I’m so happy that I visited Laos and spent one month exploring the country. And while I made travel mistakes in Laos, the one thing that I did right was pack! This is the best packing list for Laos!
This guide will cover your packing essentials and then dive deeper whether you’re planning to chase waterfalls, visit during rainy season, or trek through the north.
Are you planning a trip to Laos? Don’t miss:
- The Best Luang Prabang Itinerary (1-3 Days)
- Everything You Need to Know About Traveling to Laos
- The Best 1 Week Itinerary for Laos
The Best Luggage to Bring to Laos
First things first when it comes to packing – you need luggage to put your things in. My biggest tip for traveling – especially through Laos – is to not overpack. Overpacking just leads to hassle and headaches and it’s not worth it. Especially if you’re going to be carrying your own things around, the streets can be bumpy and a lot of hotels in Laos don’t have elevators. But, with that being said – here are my favorite pieces of luggage to bring with you to Laos!
- Backpack
- Carry-on bag
- Checked bag (only if necessary)
- Packing cubes (I don’t think that this saves space as much as it just helps to keep you organized)
- Toiletry bag
- AirTags (this isn’t luggage, but I bought a pack after my bags got lost for 10 days in Saudi Arabia and now I’ll never travel without them!)
Pro tip: Avoid purchasing any white bags that you’ll be checking-in on an airplane – they are bound to get dirty fast!
Packing Essentials
Next up: Your essentials! These are things that you cannot travel to Laos without! (In my opinion).
- Passport
- Visa – Most travelers need a visa to visit Laos; check if you need one here
- Travel insurance – I would not travel to Laos without travel insurance; I personally use and recommend Safety Wing
- Bug repellent
- Sunscreen – Face & body
Pro tip: If you’re not planning to check a bag, make sure that your bug repellent and sunscreen is < 3.4 oz!
Clothing/Shoes to Pack for Laos
When packing clothing and figuring out what to wear in Laos, the first step is knowing how long you’re going to be gone for so that you don’t over or under pack. The second thing you should know about Laos is that it is generally very hot and humid. For this reason, I recommend wearing light, breathable clothing.
This section includes clothing that I’d recommend for any female traveling to Laos. Further down in the post, you can customize your clothing list based on if you’re planning to chase waterfalls, if it’s rainy season, etc. (By the way, if you’re going on an extended trip – I recommend packing at least 12-pairs of underwear so that you’re not constantly doing laundry).
- Comfortable walking shoes
- “Shower” shoes
- Sandals
- Light dresses
- Outfit that covers shoulders/knees (for certain museums/temples)
- Pajamas
- Socks/underwear/bras
Pro tip: Roll your clothes instead of folding them! You’ll have more room this way. I’d also consider bringing a laundry bag so that you can keep your clean/dirty clothes separate!
Accessories to Pack for Laos
When traveling to Laos, accessories aren’t only to add to your outfits, but I think of accessories as more functional. When I travel – whether short or long-term – I love to bring accessories to make my outfits look “different”. I don’t tend to pack many clothes, but instead like to pack scarves, head pieces, sunglasses, things that don’t take up much room but can make a plain outfit shine!
- Purse (I recommend a purse that has a zipper and is more difficult for someone who might try to pickpocket you to access)
- Sunglasses
- Fanny pack (for crowded places/to put under your clothes)
- Headscarf (to jazz up your outfits)
Toiletries to Pack for Laos
When packing your toiletries, keep in mind whether you’re planning to check a bag or carry-on. Depending on which you’re doing, you might need to keep your liquids less than 3.4 fl oz. (By the way, I like these containers if you’re carry-on only!).
- Tampons/menstrual cup
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Skincare products
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Razor
Pro tip: Give your hair a rest and leave the heat at home! Laos is so humid that anything you do to your hair will be ruined once you step outside.
Electronics to Pack for Laos
Electronics are certainly not a necessity to travel to Laos, but in this section I’ll share with you the electronics I took to Laos. Of course, if you love capturing pictures and videos, you’ll more than likely be wanting to take a camera and maybe your computer to edit your photos; but if that isn’t your thing – you can skip over this section! Another thing to note, you don’t need an adapter when you travel; Laos sockets allow both American and European plugs.
- Drone
- Camera (I use this Canon camera)
- GoPro (for smooth videos and underwater captures)
- AirPods (for the airplane)
- Laptop
- iPad/Kindle (for books)
- Selfie light (to take photos/videos in dark places)
- Portable charger
Pro tip: If you’re traveling with a lot of electronics/chargers, I use this to keep everything organized!
Health Items to Pack for Laos
As a nurse, of course I can’t not include health items that I would recommend packing if you visit Laos. Below you’ll find a few health related items that I took with me and they all came in handy!
- Pill box (this is better for a shorter trip so you can count out your prescription/non-prescription pills and you don’t have to take a bulky bottle with you)
- First aid kit (there are scissors in this first aid kit so if you’re doing carry-on only, make sure to remove them before packing!)
- Bandaids (included in first aid kit linked above)
- Unisom (I always travel with Unisom to help me catch some Zzz’s on the airplane and to help with jet lag – I also use this mask to get some sleep on the plane)
- Liquid IV (I bring this just in case I get sick and dehydrated; but it does not replace a doctor!)
- Advil (included in first aid kit linked above)
Pro tip: Make an appointment with an infectious disease doctor before your visit to make sure that you’re all caught up on vaccines and to see if there are any prescriptions your doctor would recommend. You can check vaccine recommendations for Laos here!
What to Pack if its Rainy Season in Laos
If you’re visiting Laos during rainy season, here are some items I’d recommend bringing with you. By the way, rainy season in Laos generally lasts from May-September (with the heaviest rainfall in August and September).
What to Pack to Chase Waterfalls or Visit 4000 Islands in Laos
If you’re planning to chase waterfalls, go in search of blue lagoons, or travel south to 4000 Islands, these are the items I’d recommend bringing with you!
- Quick dry towel
- Waterproof phone case (I like to keep my phone on me while in the water even if I’m not taking photos; plus you can store your cash in here too)
- Beach sandals
- Water shoes
- Swimming suit
- Cover up
- Beach friendly sunglasses
- Lock (to lock your bag when you’re in the water)
- Visor (for skin protection)
What to Pack if You’re Trekking in Laos
If you’re planning to do some trekking in Laos, below are the items I’d recommend bringing with you!
- Hiking boots
- Work out clothes
- Light sweater (you don’t need this for the trek itself but if you’re staying in the north of Laos in a village, it can get chilly at night)
If you’re heading to the north of Laos to trek, don’t miss:
Packing Tips and Trips
1. If you’re going to be gone a long time and staying in rental properties, make sure to pack miniature Tide PODS to wash your clothes (I purchase the whole box and then pack a few with me – in a bag – on each trip)
2. Travel with reusable plastic bags – it never fails that I always need a bag for something
3. For more space, roll your clothes instead of folding them
4. Weigh your bag before getting to the airport; and know your baggage limits for each airline you fly. In Asia, airlines can be strict about weight for carry-on bags and I’ve had to check several carry-on bags for not meeting the weight requirement.
Laos Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting Laos
TRAVELING THROUGH LAOS
- The easiest way to book bus & train tickets in Laos is through Bookaway or 12Go
- To book a flight to Laos, I recommend this booking platform or Skyscanner to compare options (if you’re from the US, sign up for Going to receive free cheap flight alerts)
- Laos does require a visa, you can purchase one through iVisa
- I highly recommend travel insurance when traveling through Laos – I use and recommend SafetyWing(read why here and here)
- If you need a SIM card, aloSIM for an easy and affordable e-SIM – use code “KYLEE5” for 5% off
ACCOMODATION IN LAOS
- To easiest way to book hotels in Laos is through this booking platform
TOURS IN LAOS
- For tours and activities in Laos, I recommend using Get Your Guide or Viator
WHAT TO BRING TO LAOS
- Don’t forget a Laos guide book to help plan your travels
- I recommend bringing a reusable water bottle to keep your water cold on hot days and to cut down on plastic waste
- Don’t forget to travel with bug spray and sunscreen (face, body)
- If you’re planning to visit the waterfalls in Laos, I recommend bringing water shoes, a quick dry towel, and a waterproof phone case
- This is my favorite luggage for traveling
- This is my go-to travel backpack
I hope that you found this packing list for Laos helpful! If you have any questions about packing or visiting Laos in general, let me know in the comments below!
Check out more Southeast Asian packing guides here:
- The Best Packing List for Southeast Asia
- The Ultimate Packing List for Vietnam
- The Ultimate Cambodia Packing List
- The Best Packing List for Thailand
- The Best Packing List for Malaysia
- The Best Packing List for Indonesia
- The Best Packing List for the Philippines
For more information on things to see and do in Laos, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinlaos” or under my highlights for “Laos”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “Laos” highlight
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Founded by Kylee, a NICU nurse with nine years of experience, including seven years as a travel nurse; Passports and Preemies was created in 2017 and is now the go-to travel and lifestyle channel for nurses who crave adventure beyond the bedside. Whether you’re a staff nurse looking for your next getaway or a travel nurse navigating life on the road, this space is designed to help you maximize your time off, explore the world, and prevent nurse burnout.
On Passports and Preemies, you’ll find everything from travel nursing insights – how to get started, land the best assignments, and thrive on the road – to expert travel tips, destination guides, and real-talk about balancing nursing with a life well-traveled. Passports and Preemies also includes Beyond the Bedside – group trips for nurses around the world; as well as the podcast, Passports and Preemies Talks.
