Savannakhetສະຫວັນນະເຂດ

The questions people ask first about Savannakhet, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

• Cash or card?Lao kip (LAK) in small notes for markets, tuk-tuks and food stalls.Laos-wide
• SIM or eSIMUnitel, Lao Telecom and ETL sell SIMs at airports and shops; passport registration required.Laos-wide
• Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; bottled and refill water everywhere.Laos-wide
• TippingRestaurants: Round up or leave LAK 10,000–20,000.Laos-wide
• Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C/E/F. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Laos-wide
• SafetyCalm and low-crime by regional standards; the real risks are heat, unlit roads after dark…

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

• Street or quick mealBaguette or roti from a street vendor5,000–15,000 kip
• BeerBeerlao, restaurant / shop15,000–25,00010,000–15,000 kip
• Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Tuk-tuk within the centreAgree before boarding.20,000–50,000 kip
• SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week100,000–200,000 kip
• Museum or sight ticketDinosaur Museum entry10,000 kip
• Budget bedGuesthouse dorm or fan room, a night, per personLAK 60,000
• Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomLAK 220,000
• High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomLAK 450,000

A day, not counting the bed: Budget LAK 150,000 · Mid LAK 300,000 · High LAK 600,000

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Airports

ZVK Savannakhet Airport (About 3 km (1.9 mi) from downtown; Lao Airlines and Lao Skyway fly to and from Vientiane — check current schedules)ZVK Savannakhet Airport (About 1.9 mi (3 km) from downtown; Lao Airlines and Lao Skyway fly to and from Vientiane — check current schedules)

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Budget

150,000–250,000 kip excl. bed

Mid

250,000–450,000 kip excl. bed

High

450,000+ kip excl. bed

• Agree every tuk-tuk fare before the ride; there is no meter.
• Pay in kip. Vendors who quote in baht often use a rate well above the official one.
• The Vientiane bus is 8–9 hours; the VIP night bus has air conditioning and fewer stops, and is the comfortable option.
• At the Friendship Bridge, the bus will not wait while you process a Lao visa unless you ask the driver.
• Avoid the 22:00 local bus to Hue: you can be held at the border checkpoint from 03:00 until it opens.Avoid the 10:00 PM local bus to Hue: you can be held at the border checkpoint from 3:00 AM until it opens.