Calling the Laos from US

How to Call Laos from the US?

Q: Can I text Laos from the US?

Yes, you can text Laos from the US. Enter +856 followed by the mobile number in the recipient box in your SMS app. Then, type your message and send it as you normally would. Be mindful that standard international SMS rates may apply depending on your carrier and plan.

Q: How can I avoid high international calling rates to Laos?

To avoid high international calling rates to Laos from the US, check your carrier’s per-minute charges before dialing. If you call often, consider adding an international calling plan to reduce cost. For personal calls, you can use free social media apps, but both callers need internet access and the same app. For longer, frequent calls or business calls, VoIP services are ideal for international calls. They usually offer lower rates than standard mobile or landline carriers.

Q: Can I use +856 instead of 011 856?

Yes, you can use +856 instead of 011 856. The + sign automatically replaces the international exit code, so you only need to enter +856, followed by the Laos area code or mobile prefix and the local number. On most smartphones, you can add + by pressing and holding 0.

To call Laos from the US, dial 011, then Laos’ country code 856, followed by the Laos area code or mobile prefix and the local number.

Laos landline numbers include a geographic area code, followed by a local number. Meanwhile, mobile numbers use the national mobile prefix 20, followed by an 8-digit subscriber number.

To call Laos from the US, dial:

Landline: 011 + 856 + area code + local number

Mobile: 011 + 856 + 20 + 8-digit mobile number

interface displaying an incoming international call from laos to a user in the usa

Calling Laos from US

Calling a Laos Landline Number from the US

Here’s how to call a Laos landline number from the US:

Dial the US exit code

Enter 011 to place an international call from the US.

Dial the Laos country code

Enter 856, the country code for Laos.

Enter the area code

Enter the Laos area code without the leading 0.

Dial the local number

Enter the remaining unique subscriber number

smartphone screen displaying the international dialing format from usa to laos

Dialing Codes Involved While Calling Laos from the US

A Laotian phone number, when called from America, consists of the US exit code, the Laotian country code, the area code or mobile prefix and the local phone number. Each of these dialing codes helps route the call correctly from the United States to the right number in Laos.

1. US Exit Code

The US exit code is 011. It signals your carrier that you are making an international call outside the United States. However, if you are calling from a mobile phone, you can use the ‘+’ sign instead of 011.

2. Laos Country Code

The country code of Laos, 856, signals to the network that the call is for Laos and routes the call to the country’s network. It comes after the US exit code and is followed by the area code or mobile prefix. While it's optional for local calls within the country, it's compulsory for international calls.

3. Laos Area Code or Mobile Prefix

Landline numbers in Laos use the area codes to identify the city or region. For example, area code 021 is assigned for Vientiane, while 031 represents Pakse.

On the other hand, Laotian mobile numbers start with the mobile prefix ‘020’, instead of the area codes. When calling from abroad, the initial ‘0’ is removed from both area codes and mobile prefixes.

City / Region	Domestic Area Code	Dial from the US as
Vientiane	021	21
Vientiane Province	023	23
Pakse	031	31
Savannakhet	041	41
Thakhek	051	51
Pakxan / Borikhamsay	054	54
Luang Prabang	071	71
Xieng Khouang	061	61
Oudomsay	081	81
Bokeo	084	84
Luang Namtha	086	86
Phongsaly	088	88

4. Local Phone Number

The local phone number is the final part of the Laos phone number that connects the call to a specific person, home, office, or business.

Alternative Method to Call Laos from the US

VoIP services, social media apps, calling cards and Wi-Fi calling are some of the other ways you can use to call Laos from the US besides traditional phones. Most of these alternatives let you make international calls over the internet and help reduce the calling cost.

Social Media Apps

Social media apps allow you to make voice and video calls over the internet using Wi-Fi or mobile data. Platforms like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Telegram, and Viber are useful for personal calls to Laos because they can be free when both users have the same app and an active internet connection. However, they may not work for calling regular Lao landline or mobile numbers, and call quality depends on the strength of your internet connection.

Calling Cards

Calling cards are prepaid cards or digital credits used to make international calls at set per-minute rates. You usually dial an access number, enter a PIN, and then enter the Laos phone number to connect a call. These cost-effective options can be helpful when you do not want to use a monthly international plan.

However, before buying a calling card, check the call rates to Laos, connection fee, minute rounding, expiry date, and any service charges. These extra costs can reduce the actual call time you get.

Wi-Fi Calling

Wi-Fi calling is a phone feature that routes calls through a Wi-Fi network instead of a cellular signal. It uses your regular phone dialer and phone number, so you do not need a separate app. This can be helpful in areas with weak mobile coverage, but it does not always lower the cost of international calls. Calls to Laos may still be charged as international calls by your US carrier, so check your plan before using Wi-Fi calling for overseas calls.

VoIP Services

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services allow you to make calls over the internet instead of using traditional phone lines. These providers often offer lower international call rates and work across devices like smartphones, laptops, and desk phones. For frequent callers and businesses, many service providers also include advanced call management features such as call flip, voicemail, transcription, call recording, call routing, and analytics.

What’s the Best Time to Call Laos from the US?

The best time to call Laos from the US is usually evening in the United States, because it matches the next morning in Laos.

Laos follows Indochina Time, UTC+7, and does not observe daylight saving time. The US has multiple time zones, and many areas do observe daylight saving time, so the time difference also changes by season.

For business calls, the best window is usually US evening, while personal calls may be easier in the morning in the US when it is evening in Laos.

US Time Zone	Laos Business Hours	Time Difference	Best US Time to Call
Eastern Time	9:00 AM to 6:00 PM	Laos is 11 to 12 hours ahead	9:00 PM the previous day to 7:00 AM the same day
Central Time	9:00 AM to 6:00 PM	Laos is 12 to 13 hours ahead	8:00 PM the previous day to 6:00 AM the same day
Mountain Time	9:00 AM to 6:00 PM	Laos is 13 to 14 hours ahead	6:00 PM the previous day to 4:00 AM the same day
Pacific Time	9:00 AM to 6:00 PM	Laos is 14 to 15 hours ahead	6:00 PM the previous day to 4:00 AM the same day

Things to Consider Before Calling Laos from the US

interface showing the formula to call a laos landline using area codes from the us

Correct number format

When calling Laos from the US, use the format 011 + 856 + area code or mobile prefix + local number. Landline numbers need the area code, while mobile numbers use the mobile prefix. If the Laos number starts with 0, remove it before dialing internationally.

showing international call rates and charges with a woman on a smartphone

International calling access

Not all US phone plans include international calling by default. So, check with your provider to enable it beforehand, as the call won't connect without it.

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Call quality

For VoIP or app-based calls, a strong Wi-Fi or mobile data connection gives clearer audio. Weak connections can cause delays, dropped calls, or choppy sound.

How Much Does It Cost to Call Laos from the US?

Calling Laos from the US through traditional carriers usually costs around $3.75 per minute on average without an international calling add-on. With international calling add-ons, the calling cost can drop up to $1.84 per minute.

Traditional carrier calls are often expensive, especially without an international calling add-on. So, if you call often and want a reliable, secure communication, then a VoIP platform like Calilio usually gives better quality and cost control. Calilio offers affordable rates starting at $0.1244 per minute when calling Laos from the US.

a woman holding a phone with a banner reading best time to contact laos

Use the pricing tool below to check the current call rates with Calilio:

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Q&A

Frequently asked questions

How do I dial a Laotian number from abroad?

To dial a Laos number from abroad, dial your country’s international exit code, then enter 856, followed by the area code or mobile prefix without the leading 0, and the local number.

Can I text Laos from the US?

How can I avoid high international calling rates to Laos?

Can I use +856 instead of 011 856?

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