Which place is cheaper, Vientiane or Saaremaa?
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 Saaremaa or Vientiane?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa 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: Saaremaa or Vientiane?
Saaremaa
Saaremaa is the largest island in Estonia and it has a unique and rural atmosphere that makes it an interesting place to visit. Saaremaa has remained rural and frozen in time due to its isolated location, particularly during Soviet occupation when it was used as a military base. The island still has working windmills, hand placed stone walls, and old stone churches that feel like you've stepped back in time.
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 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia, The Best Bicycle Tours in Laos, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos.
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Saaremaa Prices
Estonia PricesVientiane Prices
Laos Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaaremaa €128Vientiane €20
The average daily cost (per person) in Saaremaa is €128, while the average daily cost in Vientiane is €20. 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 Saaremaa and Vientiane in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaaremaa €36Vientiane €7.17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaaremaa €72Vientiane €14
Compare Hotels in Saaremaa and Vientiane
Looking for a hotel in Saaremaa 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: Vientiane Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saaremaa €47Vientiane €1.70
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saaremaa
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Saaremaa:
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Rental Car and Gas for a Day€34
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride€3.52
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 Saaremaa or Vientiane?
Prices for flights to both Vientiane and Saaremaa 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 daySaaremaa €63Vientiane €10
Typical Food Prices in Saaremaa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Saaremaa:
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Salmon€1.28
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.Saaremaa €21Vientiane €3.23
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 daySaaremaa €11Vientiane €1.80
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saaremaa and Vientiane, we can see that Saaremaa is more expensive. And not only is Vientiane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa Expensive? and Is Vientiane Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Vientiane?
Vientiane has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Saaremaa. When comparing the sizes of Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa or Vientiane?
Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa or Vientiane in the Summer?
Both Vientiane and Saaremaa during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round.
In the summer, Saaremaa is much colder than Vientiane. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saaremaa in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Vientiane averages at about 30°C (85°F).
It's quite sunny in Saaremaa. In the summer, Saaremaa often gets more sunshine than Vientiane. Saaremaa gets 302 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. Saaremaa usually gets less rain in July than Vientiane. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaaremaa 17°C (62°F)Vientiane 30°C (85°F)
Should I visit Saaremaa or Vientiane in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Vientiane. The small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 8°C (47°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane this time of the year. Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Vientiane during autumn. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Vientiane. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaaremaa 8°C (47°F)Vientiane 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Saaremaa or Vientiane in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Vientiane. Many travelers come to Saaremaa for the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Saaremaa. Saaremaa is much colder than Vientiane in the winter. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around -3°C (27°F) in January, and Vientiane fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. In the winter, Saaremaa often gets less sunshine than Vientiane. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 254 hours of full sun.
Saaremaa usually gets more rain in January than Vientiane. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaaremaa -3°C (27°F)Vientiane 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Saaremaa or Vientiane in the Spring?
Both Vientiane and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Saaremaa in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Saaremaa can get quite cold in the spring. Vientiane can become quite hot in the spring. In the spring, Saaremaa is much colder than Vientiane. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saaremaa in April average around 4°C (38°F), and Vientiane averages at about 31°C (88°F).
It's quite sunny in Vientiane. Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Vientiane during spring. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 230 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Vientiane. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaaremaa 4°C (38°F)Vientiane 31°C (88°F)
Typical Weather for Vientiane and Saaremaa
| Saaremaa | Vientiane | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -3°C (27°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | -3°C (26°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Mar | -1°C (30°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (38°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 9°C (48°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Jun | 14°C (57°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) |
| Oct | 8°C (47°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 4°C (39°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 0°C (32°F) | 58 mm (2.3 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.