A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ephesus vs. Vientiane for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ephesus or Vientiane?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ephesus or Vientiane, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Ephesus or Vientiane?

Ephesus

The ancient city of Ephesus was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC). It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The temple was destroyed in 401 AD and rebuilt by Emperor Constantine I along with new public baths. The town was again partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614 AD. The city's importance as a commercial center declined as the harbor was slowly silted up by the Cayster River (Kucuk Menderes).

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 Cultural Tours in Turkey, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey, The Best Bicycle Tours in Laos, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos.


Which place is cheaper, Vientiane or Ephesus?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Ephesus Prices
    Turkey Prices
    Vientiane Prices
    Laos Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Ephesus $131
    Vientiane $24

The average daily cost (per person) in Ephesus is $131, 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 Ephesus and Vientiane in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ephesus $55
    Vientiane $8.45
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ephesus $110
    Vientiane $17
Compare Hotels in Ephesus and Vientiane

Looking for a hotel in Ephesus 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.

Hotels in Ephesus


Hotels in Vientiane


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: Ephesus Hotel Prices and Vientiane Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ephesus $40
    Vientiane $2.01

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ephesus

Also for Ephesus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Kusadasi Boat Trip With Lunch And Hotel Transfer: $40
  • Kusadasi Half Day Quad Safari Experience With Free Hotel Transfer: $50
  • Kusadasi Buggy Car Safari With Free Hotel Transfer Service: $50
  • Private Transfer from Kusadasi hotels to Kusadasi Cruise Port: $63
  • Private Transfer from Kusadasi Cruise Port to Kusadasi Hotels: $63
  • Kusadasi Horse Riding Beach and Forest options with Transfer : $66
  • Scuba Diving Experience in Kusadasi with Instructor and Transfer: $67
  • Transfer: $72
  • Private Transfer from Kusadasi Cruise Port to Izmir Airport (ADB): $74
  • Ephesus Private Guided Tour with Lunch and Transfers: $80
  • Private Guided Ephesus Tour with Cruise port Transfers: $80
  • Kusadasi Samos Ferry Trip With Free Hotel Transfer Service: $90

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:


  • 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 Ephesus or Vientiane?

Prices for flights to both Vientiane and Ephesus 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Ephesus $45
    Vientiane $12
Typical Food Prices in Ephesus

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ephesus:


  • Sandwiches
    $0.12
  • Dessert
    $0.13
  • Lunch at Beach (for 2)
    $0.46
  • Snacks
    $0.19

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ephesus

For Ephesus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cooking Class in Kusadasi Ephesus: $110

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ephesus $46
    Vientiane $3.80

Tours and Activities in Ephesus

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ephesus.

  • Kusadasi Legacy of the Ottomans: Exploration Game and Tour: $5.96
  • Skip-the-Line Ephesus Tour with Lunch: $7.17
  • SKIP-THE-LINE: BEST-SELLER PRIVATE EPHESUS TOUR for Cruise Guests: $9.56
  • Ephesus and Sirince Village Tour For Cruisers: $9.90
  • Mini Group Ephesus & House of Virgin Mary Tour (Max. 10 guests): $9.90
  • "private Ephesus tours "" wholesaler Shop Tours ""from cruise port Kusadasi ": $10
  • For Cruisers: Religious Ephesus Shore Excursion From Kusadasi Port: $11
  • For Cruisers: Best of Ephesus & Shopping Tour: $11
  • Private Ephesus Tour for Cruiser with Ticket and Lunch Options: $11
  • PRIVATE or SHARED: Ephesus & Mary's House Tour ENTRY FEES & LUNCH: $11
  • For Cruisers: Hidden Sights of Ephesus Tour: $11
  • Skip the Line: Ephesus Tour For Cruise Guest : $12

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ephesus $12
    Vientiane $2.12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ephesus

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Ephesus from other travelers:


  • Beer
    $0.10

Sample the Local Flavors in Ephesus

Also in Ephesus, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • PRIVATE & GROUP: SKIP-THE-LINE EPHESUS with Wine Tasting & Lunch: $12
  • SKIP-THE-LINE Ephesus & Wine Tasting Tour From Kusadasi Port: $18
  • POTTERY PAINTING & WINE TASTING Tour from Kusadasi Port: $49
  • Kusadasi Shore Excursions Ephesus and Wine Tasting Tours : $70
  • Ephesus Shore Excursion with Wine Tasting and Lunch: $80


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ephesus and Vientiane, we can see that Ephesus is more expensive. And not only is Vientiane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ephesus is in Europe 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 Ephesus would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ephesus 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 Ephesus Expensive? and Is Vientiane Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Vientiane?

Vientiane has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Ephesus. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus 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 Ephesus or Vientiane?

Ephesus has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Vientiane experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Ephesus or Vientiane in the Summer?

Both Vientiane and Ephesus during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Ephesus because of the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round.

In July, Ephesus is generally around the same temperature as Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 27°C (81°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 30°C (85°F).

It's quite sunny in Ephesus. In the summer, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Vientiane. Ephesus gets 378 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 141 hours of full sun.

Vientiane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Ephesus usually gets less rain in July than Vientiane. Ephesus gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Ephesus 27°C (81°F) 
    Vientiane 30°C (85°F)

Should I visit Ephesus or Vientiane in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ephesus and Vientiane. The shopping scene are the main draw to Ephesus this time of year. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Ephesus is cooler than Vientiane in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Vientiane fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane this time of the year. In Ephesus, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ephesus usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Vientiane during autumn. Ephesus gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Vientiane. Ephesus gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Ephesus 19°C (66°F) 
    Vientiane 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Ephesus or Vientiane in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ephesus as well as Vientiane. Many travelers come to Ephesus for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.

In the winter, Ephesus is much colder than Vientiane. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ephesus in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Vientiane averages at about 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. In the winter, Ephesus often gets less sunshine than Vientiane. Ephesus gets 131 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 254 hours of full sun.

Ephesus receives a lot of rain in the winter. Ephesus usually gets more rain in January than Vientiane. Ephesus gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Ephesus 10°C (50°F) 
    Vientiane 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Ephesus or Vientiane in the Spring?

Both Vientiane and Ephesus are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It's very hot in Vientiane this time of the year. In April, Ephesus is generally much colder than Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 15°C (59°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 31°C (88°F).

It's quite sunny in Vientiane. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ephesus. Ephesus usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Vientiane during spring. Ephesus gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 230 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Vientiane. Ephesus gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Ephesus 15°C (59°F) 
    Vientiane 31°C (88°F)

Typical Weather for Vientiane and Ephesus

Ephesus Vientiane
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (50°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 24°C (75°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 103 mm (4.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)
Mar 12°C (53°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 29°C (85°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 31°C (88°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
May 19°C (67°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 30°C (87°F) 255 mm (10 in)
Jun 24°C (75°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 30°C (86°F) 273 mm (10.7 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 1 mm (0 in) 30°C (85°F) 266 mm (10.5 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 1 mm (0 in) 29°C (85°F) 323 mm (12.7 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 29°C (84°F) 295 mm (11.6 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 28°C (83°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Nov 14°C (58°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 164 mm (6.5 in) 24°C (74°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)