Which place is cheaper, Vientiane or Dar es Salaam?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Dar es Salaam or Vientiane?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dar es Salaam and Vientiane can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Vientiane?
Dar es Salaam
Having grown from a fishing village, Dar es Salaam is now a major city and commercial port on Tanzania's Indian Ocean coast. While it is mainly used as a stopping point on the way to Zanzibar, it has a few unique treasures of its own such as the Kariakoo Market, National Museum, and the open-air Village Museum.
Vientiane
You wouldn't expect the capital city to have such a relaxing environment, but in Vientiane, Laos you can sit back and take in the beautiful scenery without feeling pressure to see every little thing. With Vientiane, what you see is what you get.
While picturesque temples and markets line the streets, the city is still experiencing a successful building boom. Even the Presidential Palace has undergone some hefty renovations.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Bicycle Tours in Laos, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos.
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Dar es Salaam Prices
Tanzania PricesVientiane Prices
Laos Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDar es Salaam $493Vientiane $24
The average daily cost (per person) in Dar es Salaam is $493, while the average daily cost in Vientiane is $24. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Dar es Salaam and Vientiane in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDar es Salaam $452Vientiane $8.45
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDar es Salaam $904Vientiane $17
Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Vientiane
Looking for a hotel in Dar es Salaam or Vientiane? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Dar es Salaam Hotel Prices and Vientiane Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dar es Salaam $14Vientiane $2.01
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dar es Salaam
Also for Dar es Salaam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Dar es Salaam Airport Transfers Comfortable Ride to Your Hotel: $60
- Private Transfer from Dar El Salaam to Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR): $106
- Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with Transfers.: $120
- Private Layover Tour with Airport Transfer: $120
- Transfer/Airport pick up and drop off: $192
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$4.15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:
- Vientiane - Hanoi Sleeping Bus Transfer : $63
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $20
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Vientiane Private Transfer: Wattay Airport -Hotel-Railway Station: $9.90
Is it cheaper to fly into Dar es Salaam or Vientiane?
Prices for flights to both Vientiane and Dar es Salaam change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayDar es Salaam $33Vientiane $12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vientiane
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vientiane.
- Vientiane classic Food tour ( Included Food ): $78
- Night Market, Dinner, and Nightclub: $90
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour and Lunch: $95
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour: $122
- Cooking Class Garden House: $335
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dar es Salaam -Vientiane $3.80
Tours and Activities in Dar es Salaam
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dar es Salaam.
- Private Insightful City Tour of Dar es Salaam: $34
- Daressalaam city sightseeing private tour: $55
- Private Tour to Jozani Forest Reserve Half-Day Guided Tour from Zanzibar: $90
- The Best/Top Rated Cultural City Tour in Dar es Salaam : $90
- Full Day Private Tour in Dar es Salaam City: $90
- Dar es Salaam City Tour - Everyday: $97
- Dar es Salaam City Walking tour - Explore the Life of the Local People!: $100
- Stone Town & Spice Tour: $110
- Bagamoyo Tour: $120
- Dar es Salaam Guided City Experience (Shared Group): $130
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour (Full Day With Private Guide And Car): $140
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour: $150
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- Vientiane Cultural Tour with Private Guide: $110
- 1-Day Tour to Vang Vieng with Private Guide: $200
- 1-Day Vientiane City Adventure: Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $110
- From Plain of Jars Tour & Homestay: $1,650
- From Vang Vieng 2-Day Tour with Blue Lagoon: $443
- From Vang Vieng Tour with Cave Kayak & Zipline: $113
- Guided Vientiane City and Buddha Park Full-Day Tour: $99
- Half Day Private Tour in City Highlights: $120
- Half-Day Vientiane City Bike Tour: $90
- Lao Arts Museum & City Highlights Tour with Lunch: $122
- Laos Railway Tickets Easily: Avoid Long Queues & Wasted Time: $30
- Laos Railway Tickets Online: Skip Long Queues, Avoid Missing: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDar es Salaam $7.97Vientiane $2.12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dar es Salaam and Vientiane, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is Vientiane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dar es Salaam is in Africa and Vientiane is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Vientiane would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vientiane and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Dar es Salaam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dar es Salaam than you might in Vientiane.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dar es Salaam Expensive? and Is Vientiane Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dar es Salaam or Vientiane?
Dar es Salaam has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Dar es Salaam and Vientiane, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Dar es Salaam or Vientiane?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Vientiane in the Summer?
Both Vientiane and Dar es Salaam during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dar es Salaam because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round.
Vientiane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dar es Salaam usually gets less rain in July than Vientiane. Dar es Salaam gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Dar es Salaam. In the summer, Dar es Salaam often gets more sunshine than Vientiane. Dar es Salaam gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 141 hours of full sun.
Dar es Salaam is cooler than Vientiane in the summer. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Vientiane fluctuates around 30°C (85°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDar es Salaam 25°C (77°F)Vientiane 30°C (85°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Vientiane in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dar es Salaam and Vientiane. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dar es Salaam year-round. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Dar es Salaam usually receives less rain than Vientiane. Dar es Salaam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane this time of the year. In Dar es Salaam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dar es Salaam usually receives more sunshine than Vientiane during autumn. Dar es Salaam gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Dar es Salaam is cooler than Vientiane. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dar es Salaam in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Vientiane averages at about 28°C (83°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDar es Salaam 25°C (78°F)Vientiane 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Vientiane in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Dar es Salaam as well as Vientiane. Dar es Salaam attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.
Dar es Salaam usually gets more rain in January than Vientiane. Dar es Salaam gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dar es Salaam this time of the year. In the winter, Dar es Salaam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vientiane. Dar es Salaam gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 254 hours of full sun.
In January, Dar es Salaam is generally a little warmer than Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 28°C (82°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDar es Salaam 28°C (82°F)Vientiane 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Vientiane in the Spring?
Both Vientiane and Dar es Salaam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dar es Salaam throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Dar es Salaam. In April, Dar es Salaam usually receives more rain than Vientiane. Dar es Salaam gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Vientiane. Dar es Salaam usually receives less sunshine than Vientiane during spring. Dar es Salaam gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 230 hours of full sun in the spring.
The heat can be very extreme in Vientiane. Dar es Salaam is cooler than Vientiane in the spring. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Vientiane fluctuates around 31°C (88°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDar es Salaam 27°C (81°F)Vientiane 31°C (88°F)
Typical Weather for Vientiane and Dar es Salaam
| Dar es Salaam | Vientiane | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.