Laos
Nationwide coverage
Data across Laos — Luang Prabang's alms round, the Mekong slow boat, the Vang Vieng karsts and the Plain of Jars. Land connected in a country worth slowing down for.
- 5G where available
- No roaming charges
- Instant eSIM delivery
- Keep your number
eSIM + QR code emailed instantly · no physical SIM
Lao Telecom coverage
Your eSIM connects to Lao Telecom on 5G. Laos is mountainous, landlocked and thinly populated, and coverage follows the Mekong valley and the main towns.
Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Pakse and the Thakhek loop are covered. The northern highlands toward Phongsali and the eastern uplands along the Vietnamese border are sparse.
The slow boat and the loops
The two-day Mekong slow boat from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang is the classic Laos journey, and it spends most of its time between villages with nothing but river and forest. Expect long stretches without signal, which is arguably the appeal.
The Thakhek and Bolaven motorbike loops are similar — covered in the towns, patchy between them. Download offline maps before you set off, because there are real distances between fuel stops and getting lost is easy.
How much data
A week in Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng runs on 3 GB. Two weeks covering the loops and the south wants 5 GB at £9.99. Laos is pricier per gigabyte than its neighbours, so buy what you'll actually use.
Good to know
Questions, answered
Will I have signal on the Mekong slow boat?+
Intermittently at best. The two-day run from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang passes through long stretches of forest and river with no coverage. Download anything you need — including a book — before you board.
Is coverage good on the Thakhek loop?+
In the towns and at the main stops, yes. Between them it drops out for long sections. Offline maps are essential if you're riding it, as distances between fuel stops are substantial.
How do I install it?+
After checkout we email your eSIM and a QR code. Scan it in your phone's settings, switch the line on, and you're ready — do it before you fly and it activates when you land.
Will it work on my phone?+
Most phones from the last few years support eSIM (iPhone XS and newer, recent Samsung/Pixel). Check your phone in Settings, or use our compatibility checker.
When does my plan start?+
Validity counts from first connection in the destination, not from purchase — so you can buy and install early without wasting days.
Can I keep using my normal number?+
Yes. The eSIM is data-only and runs alongside your usual SIM, so calls and texts on your main number still work.
Networks
Your eSIM hops onto the strongest of Laos’s local networks automatically — no setup, no choosing.
Coverage
Full nationwide data across Laos on tier-1 partner networks.