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

Should you visit Tartu or Vientiane?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tartu and Vientiane can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Tartu or Vientiane?

Tartu

Tartu is a university town that is also the second largest city in Estonia. It has a population of about 100,000 and dates back to 1030, making it the oldest city in the country. The Emajogi River passes through town and it has a lovely old town that's pleasant to explore. The city is a great place to see day to day life in Estonia. It is a very real town with people going about their daily lives. If you find yourself here when the weather is nice, you'll be greeted by crowds of happy locals out enjoying the weather. They make full use of the warm, sunny weather with festivals, events, and concerts during the summer. This is easily the most fun and eventful time to visit the city.

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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Estonia, The Best Budget Tours to Estonia, The Best Bicycle Tours in Laos, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos.


Which place is cheaper, Vientiane or Tartu?

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

  • Tartu Prices
    Estonia Prices
    Vientiane Prices
    Laos Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Tartu 132
    Vientiane 20

The average daily cost (per person) in Tartu is €132, 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 Tartu and Vientiane in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tartu 47
    Vientiane 7.17
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tartu 94
    Vientiane 14
Compare Hotels in Tartu and Vientiane

Looking for a hotel in Tartu 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 Tartu


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: Tartu Hotel Prices and Vientiane Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tartu 27
    Vientiane 1.70

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane

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


  • 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 Tartu or Vientiane?

Prices for flights to both Vientiane and Tartu 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
    Tartu 65
    Vientiane 10
Typical Food Prices in Tartu

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


  • Danishes
    0.76
  • Lunch for Two
    4.93
  • Ice Cream
    1.27
  • Cookies
    0.51
  • Coffee & Cake
    3.47

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.
    Tartu 16
    Vientiane 3.23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Tartu

For Tartu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Art Museum ticket
    0.95
  • Movie Ticket
    3.47

Tours and Activities in Tartu

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

  • Around Viljandi bike tour: $30
  • TARTU COUNTRY: SLED DOG TOUR AND KENNEL VISIT: $141
  • Charming Viljandi Private Walking Tour for Couples: $260
  • Magical Tartu Romantic Private Walking Tour: $751
  • Dazzling Tartu City Cultural Private Walking Tour: $751

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
    Tartu 16
    Vientiane 1.80


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


Which is Bigger, Tartu or Vientiane?

Vientiane has a larger population, and is about 95% larger than the population of Tartu. When comparing the sizes of Tartu 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 Tartu or Vientiane?

Tartu 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 Tartu or Vientiane in the Summer?

Both Vientiane and Tartu during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tartu for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round.

In the summer, Tartu is much colder than Vientiane. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tartu in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Vientiane averages at about 30°C (85°F).

It's quite sunny in Tartu. In the summer, Tartu often gets more sunshine than Vientiane. Tartu gets 265 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. Tartu usually gets less rain in July than Vientiane. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Tartu 17°C (62°F) 
    Vientiane 30°C (85°F)

Should I visit Tartu or Vientiane in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Vientiane. The autumn months attract visitors to Tartu because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Tartu is generally much colder than Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around 6°C (43°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane this time of the year. Tartu usually receives less sunshine than Vientiane during autumn. Tartu gets 86 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tartu usually receives less rain than Vientiane. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tartu 6°C (43°F) 
    Vientiane 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Tartu or Vientiane in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Vientiane. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Tartu this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.

It's quite cold in Tartu in the winter. Tartu is much colder than Vientiane in the winter. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around -7°C (19°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, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Vientiane. Tartu gets 36 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 254 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets more rain in January than Vientiane. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Tartu -7°C (19°F) 
    Vientiane 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Tartu or Vientiane in the Spring?

Both Vientiane and Tartu are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Tartu for the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Tartu. Vientiane can become quite hot in the spring. In the spring, Tartu is much colder than Vientiane. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tartu in April average around 5°C (41°F), and Vientiane averages at about 31°C (88°F).

It's quite sunny in Vientiane. Tartu usually receives less sunshine than Vientiane during spring. Tartu gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 230 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tartu usually receives less rain than Vientiane. Tartu gets 33 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
    Tartu 5°C (41°F) 
    Vientiane 31°C (88°F)

Typical Weather for Vientiane and Tartu

Tartu Vientiane
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -7°C (19°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 24°C (75°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Feb -6°C (20°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 26°C (79°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)
Mar -2°C (29°F) 26 mm (1 in) 29°C (85°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Apr 5°C (41°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 31°C (88°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
May 11°C (53°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 30°C (87°F) 255 mm (10 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 30°C (86°F) 273 mm (10.7 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 30°C (85°F) 266 mm (10.5 in)
Aug 16°C (61°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 29°C (85°F) 323 mm (12.7 in)
Sep 11°C (52°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 29°C (84°F) 295 mm (11.6 in)
Oct 6°C (43°F) 52 mm (2 in) 28°C (83°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Nov 1°C (33°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec -4°C (25°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 24°C (74°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)