Money at Wattay International (VTE)
Currency, tipping and cash-vs-card for arrivals at Vientiane, Laos.
Vientiane uses the LAK (₭). Expected airport→city taxi fare is roughly ₭70,000 coupon. Cash only; USD/THB accepted but at bad rate.
Airport currency kiosks quote rates 5–15% worse than any bank ATM inside the terminal. If you need cash on landing, use an in-terminal bank ATM — not the "0% commission" kiosks (the margin is in the rate).
Frequently asked
Q.What currency is used at Wattay International (VTE)?
Laos uses the LAK (₭). Airport ATMs dispense LAK directly — skip the exchange kiosks.
Q.How much should a taxi from VTE to the city cost?
Expected fare on the VTE → city center route is roughly ₭70,000 coupon. Around ₭120,000+ is already high, and ₭200,000 'private' is a scam quote — confirm the meter or a printed rate before you get in.
Q.Do I tip taxi drivers at VTE?
Not expected — round up. Drivers in Laos don't rely on tips the way US drivers do; inflated "tips" are sometimes used to justify an overcharge — pay the metered fare first, then decide.
Q.Cash or card for a taxi at VTE?
Cash only; USD/THB accepted but at bad rate. "Card machine broken" is the most common excuse to force a cash overpay — carry a small stack of LAK notes and you keep the leverage.
Q.Should I change money at VTE?
Only if you need $10–20 of LAK to cover a taxi or a SIM card. Airport exchange kiosks quote 5–15% worse than a bank ATM in the same terminal. If your card has no FX fee, just pay by card and skip cash entirely.
Every transport option ranked, fare tiers, first-30-minute checklist and reported scams.