Which place is cheaper, New York City or Vang Vieng?
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 Vang Vieng or New York City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng or New York City? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Vang Vieng or New York City?
Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is a town in the Vientiane province of Laos that sits along the banks of the Nam Song River. With its beautifully carved karst topography cliffs towering over the winding river, the area has become very tourist-oriented for those seeking to explore the outdoor wonders. People from all over come to engage in the unique landscape-mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, caving, swimming, and rock climbing, amongst others.
New York City
The most populated city in the United States, New York City, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River and encompasses both the island of Manhattan as well as the surrounding land on Long Island, most of which is known as Brooklyn. It's a cultural, culinary, theatrical, and art center that has much to offer domestic and international travelers alike. The city covers an area of 305 square miles and has a population of about 8.2 million people in the city proper with 18.7 million in the metropolitan area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.
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Vang Vieng Prices
Laos PricesNew York City Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $19New York City $363
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $19, while the average daily cost in New York City is $363. 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 Vang Vieng and New York City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.25New York City $175
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.50New York City $350
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and New York City
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng or New York City? 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: Vang Vieng Hotel Prices and New York City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vang Vieng $3.11New York City $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vang Vieng
Also for Vang Vieng, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared transfer from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang city: $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in New York City
Some typical examples of transportation costs in New York City are as follows:
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Subway$4.50
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Taxi Ride$8.00
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Subway$2.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in New York City
Also for New York City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Empire State Building NYC Tour, Pre-booked Tickets, Transfer: $300
- New York J.F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) to Baltimore City - Arrival Private Transfer: $300
- Skip the line One World Observatory Private Tour with Transfers : $296
- Central Park Zoo Skip-the-line Tickets & Private Transfers: $291
- Private Transfer from New York Airport (JFK) to New York Hotels : $287
- Private Transfer from or to New York to EWR Airport or vice versa: $280
- Airport Limousine Transfer one-way - LaGuardia Airport - Lincoln MKT: $275
- New York City Airport Arrival Transfer by Sprinter LGA JFK EWR: $260
- EWR, LGA, JFK Private Airport Transfer in NYC with SUV or Sedan: $252
- JFK/LGA/EWR to Manhattan Private Transfer - Up to 14 Pax: $250
- New York City Airport Departure Transfer by Sprinter LGA JFK EWR: $250
- Private SUV New York City Airport Departure Transfer : $235
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or New York City?
Prices for flights to both New York City and Vang Vieng 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 dayVang Vieng $11New York City $87
Typical Food Prices in New York City
For New York City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Gelato$7.50
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Snacks for Two at Yankees Game$34
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Coffee$6.53
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Smoothie$6.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in New York City
For New York City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- East Village Noho Food Tour: $32
- The Chinatown, Little Italy, Food Tour: $35
- The Lower East Side Food Tour: $35
- Sweets and Slices Greenwich Village Walking Food Tour: $49
- New York City's Best Pizza tour: $59
- Made in Brooklyn Food Tour: $65
- Greenwich Village Pizza Walk: $75
- Brooklyn Pizza Walk: $75
- New York's Classic Eats West Village Food Tour: $75
- New York's Classic Eats Lower East Side Food Tour: $75
- Union Square Donut Adventure and Walking Food Tour: $75
- East Village Pizza Walk: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.76New York City $180
Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.
- 1 Day Guided Tour in Cave from Vang Vieng: $175
- Get Your Laos–China Train Ticket Fast – No Waiting, No Worries: $30
- Laos: Jungle Zipline and Caving Tour: $58
- Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour in Vang Vieng: $180
- Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike and Blue Lagoon Tour: $79
- One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng : $50
- Vang Vieng 1-Day Cave Exploration Tour with Guide: $175
- Vang Vieng Ballooning Adventures: $260
- Vang Vieng Bike Tour: $49
- Vang Vieng Day Tour - Longtail boat, Paragliding: $175
- Vang Vieng Hot Air Balloon Experience and Longtail Boat: $137
- Vang Vieng Hot Air Balloon Kayak Zipline,Blue lagoon1 Tour: $148
Typical Entertainment Prices in New York City
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New York City's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Comedy Show Tickets$56
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City Map$8.00
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Broadway Musical$111
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Broadway Show Program$10
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Magazine$6.99
Tours and Activities in New York City
For New York City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Hour Session at Williamsburg's Adventure Park Area 53: $42
- 9/11 Memorial Tour with Skip-the-Line Museum Ticket: $65
- Central Park Pedicab Tours - History and Movie Locations: $50
- Godfather Movie Locations New York Tour with Private Guide: $195
- Grand Central Terminal Walking Tour: $35
- Harlem Bronx Brooklyn Queens Tour in 7 Hours: $65
- New York City Ghost Tour of Greenwich Village: $39
- Official Central Park Pedicab Tours: $50
- VIP Central Park Experience Tour with photos 50min~Skip the line: $280
- & Juliet on Broadway Ticket : $94
- & Juliet on Broadway Ticket with VIP Experience and Lunch: $299
- "The Met" Metropolitan Museum of Art Exclusive Guided Tour: $133
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Things to do in New York City with Kids, Things to Do in Central Park in NYC, and The Best Museums in New York City.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.11New York City $29
Sample the Local Flavors in New York City
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New York City:
- Brooklyn Distillery Tour : $22
- NYC Pub Crawl Experience: $24
- Distillery Tour and Tasting: $25
- NYC Pub Crawl Tour: $30
- NYC Pub Crawl with Rooftop Clubbing Experience: $33
- Top Shelf Distillery Tour: $33
- New York Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $36
- Cheers to Chinatown Tour and Bar Crawl: $40
- Brooklyn Literary Pub Crawl: $49
- Greenwich Village Piano Bar Crawl: $50
- Broadway Prohibition Pub Crawl: $64
- Little Italy Prohibition Pub Crawl: $64
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and New York City, we can see that New York City is more expensive. And not only is Vang Vieng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Vang Vieng is in Asia and New York City is in North America, 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 Vang Vieng would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vang Vieng 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 New York City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New York City than you might in Vang Vieng.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vang Vieng Expensive? and Is New York City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or New York City?
New York City has a larger population, and is about 320 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and New York City, 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 Vang Vieng or New York City?
New York City has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Vang Vieng experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Vang Vieng or New York City in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and New York City. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to New York City because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Vang Vieng is cooler than New York City. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vang Vieng in July average around 22°C (72°F), and New York City averages at about 77°F (25°C).
New York City receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than New York City. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while New York City receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)New York City 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or New York City in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as New York City. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to New York City this time of year.
In October, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than New York City. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and New York City fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in October than New York City. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)New York City 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or New York City in the Winter?
Both New York City and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to New York City for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in New York City. Vang Vieng is much warmer than New York City in the winter. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and New York City fluctuates around 31°F (-1°C).
In January, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than New York City. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)New York City 31°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or New York City in the Spring?
Both New York City and Vang Vieng during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to New York City in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Vang Vieng is much warmer than New York City. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vang Vieng in April average around 23°C (73°F), and New York City averages at about 52°F (11°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in April than New York City. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)New York City 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for New York City and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | New York City | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 33°F (1°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 36°F (2°C) | 3.4 inches (88 mm) |
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.