Laos: Best Tourist eSIMs Reviewed (2024)

Laos may not be the most popular travel destination in Asia, but it has become more popular in recent years.

Mostly because it is an affordable country.

What you should not do, in many cases, is roam internationally in Laos.

International roaming can be expensive, which is why using local and travel eSIMs is recommended to save money.

And if you get a travel eSIM, you do not have to deal with the SIM card registration bureaucracy and skip the queues in Laos.

How much will a (travel) eSIM for Laos cost you?

You can get an eSIM for Laos for as low as 7.50 USD and up to 79 USD from Airalo, Alosim, Holafly & SimOptions offering between 1 GB and unlimited to be used locally, in Asia, or globally.

Original publication: 24^th of August 2022. Last updated: 7^th of March 2024.

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Table of Contents

An Introduction to eSIMs for Laos (+Discount Codes)

Laos is lucky because it has numerous eSIM providers that have eSIMs for Laos specifically, regional Asia eSIMs that cover Laos & global eSIMs that cover the country and at least 100 more across multiple continents.

The eSIM providers I have used extensively and have eSIMs for Laos are Airalo, Alosim, Holafly & SimOptions.

Airalo has two types of eSIMs for Laos:

• Airalo Pak Ou Mobile eSIM for Laos: one eSIM with 1 GB (seven days @ 9.50 USD)
• Airalo Asialink eSIM for Laos and 13 other East- and Southeast Asian countries: six eSIMs between 1 GB (seven days @ 5 USD) and 100 GB (180 days @ 185 USD)

Discount code APR15 is available for 15% off if you have never purchased an Airalo eSIM. Existing Airalo customers can use code APR10 instead for 10% off (both codes are valid until the 31^st of March – only the first 3000 users can redeem either discount code).

Alosim has competitively priced eSIMs for Asian destinations, including . It also has 5G NR access in countries where Airalo eSIMs do not have such access (with roughly the same prices). Alosim has one eSIM for Laos:

• Alosim Laos eSIM: one eSIM with 1 GB (seven days @ 7.50 USD).

You can use code PTW for 5% off any Alosim purchase (as many times as you wish for as many eSIMs as you want).

Holafly is known for having unlimited data plans. This is also the case for many Asian countries. It has two eSIMs for Laos:

• Holafly Laos eSIM: six eSIMs with 2.5 GB data for five days (29 USD) to 15 GB for 30 days (79 USD)
• Holafly Asia eSIM for Laos and ten other Asian countries: six eSIMs with unlimited data for five days (27 USD) to unlimited data for 30 days (79 USD)

Be sure to use code PHONETRAVELWIZ to get 5% off your order (as many times as you wish for as many eSIMs as you want).

Lastly, we have SimOptions with AIS eSIM2FLY Asia. It is the most comprehensive Asia eSIM I know of (not limited to East- and Southeast Asia, as the others mentioned so far, but also Central Asia, South Asia & the Middle East and South Asia). It also has 5G NR access in numerous countries. However, only one AIS eSIM2FLY Asia eSIM exists:

• SimOptions/AIS eSIM2LY Asia eSIM for Laos and 31 other Asian countries: 6 GB (eight days @ 19.90 USD)

Now that you have an overview of the eSIM providers I will write about, we will go through them alphabetically and cover all their options for Laos.

But if you already have an eSIM store in mind, click on the links next to jump to the respective sections: Airalo, Alosim, Holafly & SimOptions.

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Airalo eSIMs for Laos (Pak Ou Mobile, Asialink & Discover+)

Airalo has two types of eSIMs that can be used in Laos only or include Laos:

• Pak Ou Mobile – Laos only
• Asialink – Laos and 13 other East- and Southeast Asian countries

Remember that discount code APR15 is available for 15% off if you have never purchased an Airalo eSIM. Existing Airalo customers can use code APR10 instead for 10% off (both codes are valid until the 31^st of March – only the first 3000 users can redeem either discount code).

Airalo does not need an introduction because it is the largest eSIM store out there.

It also claims to be the first store, which is probably true but not something I could confirm (but it does not matter anyway).

With eSIMs for almost all countries and territories, Airalo practically has a global reach with its offering.

In the case of Laos, Airalo has two eSIMs covering the country: Pak Ou Mobile and Asialink.

Pak Ou Mobile is Airalo's Laos-only eSIM.

Whereas Asialink can be used in Laos and 13 other East- and Southeast Asian countries.

Get the Asialink eSIM if you visit two or more destinations supported by the eSIM – it will be more cost-effective.

Let's go over the one Airalo Pak Ou Mobile eSIM option we have:

1. Laos/Pak Ou Mobile 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 9.50 USD

You can use the following Lao mobile network with the Pak Ou Mobile eSIM:

Check out my Laos SIM card buying guide for more information on how Lao mobile operators perform.

Next, we have the Airalo Asialink eSIM, which can be used in 14 East- and Southeast Asian countries, including Laos.

It is Airalo's second-most popular regional eSIM (behind Europe (review) – it has seven regional eSIM, including Asia), based on what Phone Travel Wiz readers use.

This makes sense, as flights within East- and Southeast Asia can be incredibly cheap with the rise of low-cost carriers and relatively favorable visa policies.

The old version of Airalo's Asia eSIM came with unlimited data, although you only got 4 GB of high-speed data before your speeds got reduced to 128 Kbps (embarrassingly slow).

Worry not; the new offering is significantly better. Let's go over the Airalo Asialink eSIM options now:

1. Asia/Asialink 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 5 USD
2. Asia/Asialink 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 13 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
3. Asia/Asialink 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 20 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
4. Asia/Asialink 10 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 37 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
5. Asia/Asialink 50 GB eSIM for 90 days, costing 100 USD
6. Asia/Asialink 100 GB eSIM for 180 days, costing 185 USD

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30^th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 31st of January.

You can use the following Lao networks with the Asialink eSIM:

As mentioned earlier, the Airalo Asialink can be used in 14 countries, which includes Laos and (some) neighboring countries.

You can find a country breakdown in my ongoing Airalo Asialink review or the map below.

I aim to use the Asialink eSIM in all supported countries by the end of 2025 (perhaps 2024, but I want to explore other continents in 2024), giving you insights into how the eSIM performs in each destination.

I have tested the eSIM in eight countries so far – you should check my Airalo Asialink eSIM review if you are interested in getting it for yourself.

So to recap: get the Pak Ou Mobile eSIM if you only stay in Laos or the Asialink eSIM in two or more supported countries to save $$$.

Whatever Airalo eSIM you choose, you will have a smooth experience with any in Laos.

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Alosim eSIMs for Laos

Alosim has various eSIM variants that can be used in Laos:

• Laos – local use only

Remember to use code PTW for 5% off any Alosim purchase (as many times as you wish for as many eSIMs as you want).

Alosim, backed by AffinityClick, is an eSIM provider gaining ground in 2023.

Mostly because it has been expanding its eSIM coverage in a good direction.

You probably have never heard of AffinityClick, but you may have heard of the Hushed app with more than 8 000 000 (8 million) downloads: Temporary & Second Phone Number App for Wifi, Data Calling & Texting.

Because of this, you may get a phone number for calls and SMS with any Alosim eSIM in the near future… as that is the logical step right, AffinityClick? 😏.

At the moment, you have two eSIM options for Laos with Alosim: one for Laos only.

You have the following one Alosim Laos eSIM:

1. Laos 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 9.50 USD

You can use the following Lao mobile networks with your Alosim Laos eSIM:

For more information on how these mobile operators perform, check out my Laos SIM card buying guide, where I discuss the performance of each SIM card (in terms of coverage and speed).

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Holafly eSIMs for Laos

Holafly has two eSIMs that can be used in Laos only or include Laos:

• Laos – local use only
• Asia – Laos and ten other Asian countries

Remember to use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for 5% off any Holafly purchase (as many times as you wish for as many eSIMs as you want).

Holafly is, together with Airalo, one of the most popular eSIM providers.

Holafly made a name for itself by introducing unlimited data plans in June 2022, which was uncommon back then.

While more eSIM providers have unlimited data eSIMs nowadays, Holafly has been expanding its unlimited data offering from the initial 45 countries to about 100 nations in 2023 (and still counting in October 2023).

To prevent abuse, you cannot tether (mobile hotspot) with any Holafly eSIM with unlimited data.

Initially, its Asia eSIM sucked, giving you 6 GB for 15 days (44 USD) and 10 GB for 30 days (54 USD).

That does not sound too bad… until you realize you could use a maximum of 500 MB daily.

After numerous complaints (from me, Phone Travel Wiz readers & its customers), Holafly also introduced unlimited data for its Asia eSIM.

I love seeing eSIM providers taking my and their customers' feedback into account AND doing something about it 😎.

First, let's start with the Holafly Laos eSIM, which gives you 2.5 GB up to 15 GB of data between five days and 30 days:

1. Laos 2.5 GB eSIM for 5 days, costing 29 USD
2. Laos 3.5 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 37 USD
3. Laos 5 GB eSIM for 10 days, costing 44 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
4. Laos 7.5 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 47 USD
5. Laos 10 GB eSIM for 20 days, costing 59 USD
6. Laos 15 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 79 USD

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30^th of December (2023 data only).

Compared to Airalo's and Alosim's eSIMs (and SimOptions mentioned later), these eSIMs are pricey.

But unlike them, Holafly gives you unlimited data for up to 90 days.

But there is a catch: as of August 2023, Holafly eSIMs are throttled @ 18 Mbps (even if you have 5G NR access), except for its Europe eSIMs (review).

This was not the case before that month (I even extensively used the Europe eSIM in July 2023, where I had normal/fast speeds until I headed to North America in August 2023 and noticed that its speeds were throttled in every country I visited after that).

While 18 Mbps is not terrible, it is also not amazing – especially knowing I have had download speeds of up to 160 Mbps before in various European countries.

But if you do not care about the fastest speeds, you do not have to worry about this speed restriction.

Next, we have the Holafly Asia eSIM, which can be used in 32 European countries, including Laos.

Just like the Holafly Laos eSIM, this eSIM is speed-restricted @ 18 Mbps.

And unlike the Holafly Europe eSIM (review), the Holafly Asia eSIMs are more expensive than the country-specific Holafly eSIMs.

For example, the Holafly Italy eSIM (review) and the Holafly Europe eSIM have the same options and prices as the images below.

The Holafly Asia eSIM can be used for up to 30 days, costing a maximum of 79 USD (up from 64 USD in August 2023), which only costs 64 USD for the Europe eSIM).

I have been told that Holafly is actively trying to decrease the price and offer more options, but it may take a bit.

Below is an overview of how much each Holafly Asia eSIM costs:

1. Asia unlimited data eSIM for 5 days, costing 27 USD
2. Asia unlimited data eSIM for 7 days, costing 34 USD
3. Asia unlimited data eSIM for 10 days, costing 37 USD
4. Asia unlimited data eSIM for 15 days, costing 47 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
5. Asia unlimited data eSIM for 20 days, costing 54 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
6. Asia unlimited data eSIM for 30 days, costing 79 USD (priced increased) – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30^th of December (2023 data only).

If you visited multiple supported countries during your trip, getting the Holafly Asia eSIM will be more affordable than buying multiple country-specific eSIMs.

The eSIMs are the same, except for the country-specific ones being geo-restricted (but the same roaming partners are used).

To discover which countries the Holafly Asia eSIM can be used in, check out my Holafly Asia review or the map below.

I never tried out the old version of the Holafly Asia eSIM (the one with 6 GB for 15 days and 10 GB for 30 days) because I thought it was of lousy value (and while I actively discouraged Phone Travel Wiz readers from using it, some did and had good experiences with it).

But since it was turned into an unlimited data eSIM, the speeds have been restricted to 18 Mbps like the country-specific Asian eSIMs, even in countries where speeds are incredibly fast.

As a result, I will not use the eSIM in every Asian country I visit anymore (unlike other regional Holafly eSIMs, like the European one) because I know the results will be the same.

But if things improve, I will pick the eSIM up again – you know I love testing eSIMs 🤪.

Anyway, go with the Holafly Laos eSIM if you only stay in Laos and the Holafly Asia eSIM if you go to two or more supported countries to save some money.

And remember, your speeds will be throttled @ 18 Mbps at all times (even on 5G NR) + you cannot tether (to prevent abuse).

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SimOptions eSIMs for Laos

SimOptions has one (recommended) eSIM that can be used in Laos and various other Asian countries:

• AIS eSIM2FLY Asia eSIM

SimOptions has been a SIM card reseller since at least 2016.

In 2021, it started selling eSIMs, now its primary focus.

So, SimOptions has eSIMs specifically for Laos; as the screenshot below shows, why am I talking about the AIS eSIM2FLY eSIM?

The SimOptions Laos eSIMs are powered by JoyTelecom.

The SimOptions Smart Traveler eSIM is powered by Dtac Thailand. It is a mobile operator I strongly dislike – mostly because of deceptive marketing and lousy service. You can read my Dtac Thailand review if you want, but it specifically focused on its performance in Thailand.

But the AIS eSIM2FLY eSIM is different – it is by AIS Thailand, formerly Thailand's largest mobile operator (until TrueMove H and Dtac Thailand merged into True Corp).

The eSIM covers 32 primarily Asia countries (not limited to East- and Southeast Asia, like most regional eSIMs, but also the Middle East and Oceania).

In fact, here is the country list:

¹ with 5G NR access

Not only that – you also get 5G NR access in countries where most other eSIM providers do not have such access yet, and a Thai phone number (+66) for free incoming calls and text messages.

All for just 19.90 USD.

But what is the catch? Well… you only get 6 GB of data for eight days.

So, the AIS eSIM2FLY eSIM is not for those who want to tour around Asia for a prolonged period because the validity is too short (but other eSIMs mentioned in this guide will do well).

In fact, the eSIM is best used in only one country – two at most if you do not use a lot of data.

I have used the AIS eSIM2FLY eSIM in numerous countries (my review is on its way), but not in all supported countries I visit because it will become too expensive.

But if you were to use the eSIM in Laos and a (covered) neighboring country, care about 5G NR access, do not use a lot of data & want a phone number for incoming calls and SMS, the eSIM can be a good alternative from the others mentioned so far.

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Overview of the Best eSIMs for Laos

That was quite a journey! There are so many eSIM options for Laos or options that cover it.

And this was not even an exhaustive list! Many more eSIM providers have eSIMs for Laos.

But the five I listed in this guide have good reviews. Moreover, I have tested them extensively in multiple countries on multiple continents and had (consistently) good experiences with them.

I will give you a quick recap of each eSIMs mentioned in this guide and link to their product pages in case you need more info or are ready to purchase an eSIM already.

Laos-only eSIMs:

• Airalo Laos eSIM
• Alosim Laos eSIM
• Holafly Laos eSIM

Asia eSIMs (mainly East- and Southeast Asia + Australia and New Zealand), which include Laos:

• Airalo Asialink eSIM
• Holafly Asia eSIM
• SimOptions AIS eSIM2FLY Asia eSIM

And do not forget to use one of these discount codes for extra savings:

• Airalo: APR15 for 15% off if you have never purchased an Airalo eSIM. If you have, use APR10 for 10% off (each code can be used 3000 times among all Airalo customers, so better redeem it quickly!
• Alosim: PTW for 5% off (the code can be used by anyone, including existing customers, as many times as you wish – no redemption limit)
• Holafly: PHONETRAVELWIZ for 5% off (the code can be used by anyone, including existing customers, as many times as you wish – no redemption limit)

Remember to use code the relevant discount codes for PTW (Alosim), or PHONETRAVELWIZ (others)).

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Buying a SIM Card in Laos

Want to just use a SIM card but not your current one because roaming will be criminally expensive?

Consider getting a Lao SIM card instead – local SIM cards are the cheapest way to stay connected abroad.