Which place is cheaper, Salzburg 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 Salzburg?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Salzburg? 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 Salzburg?
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.
Salzburg
Most people know of Salzburg from its roll in the infamous movie "The Sound of Music." Every child who fell in love with this movie knows the gazebo scene in the rain, or could sing "My Favorite Things" as they skip down the Salzach River, but once you get past the obvious cliches, you can see that Salzburg is a city with a lot of depth and culture aside from the movie.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, The Best 2-Week Tours in Austria, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria.
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Vang Vieng Prices
Laos PricesSalzburg Prices
Austria Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $19Salzburg $217
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $19, while the average daily cost in Salzburg is $217. 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 Salzburg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.25Salzburg $107
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.50Salzburg $214
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Salzburg
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng or Salzburg? 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 Salzburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vang Vieng $3.11Salzburg $23
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salzburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salzburg:
- Hallstatt daytrip: Transfer to Hallstatt + Salzburg and back: $523
- Salzburg daytrip: Private transfer to Salzburg and back: $405
- Private Transfer From Salzburg To Innsbruck, English Speaking Driver : $287
- Private Transfer from Salzburg to Munich With 2h of Sightseeing: $275
- Private Transfer Salzburg → Munich, Hotel-to-Hotel, English-speaking driver: $275
- From Salzburg to Munich Airport- Private Transfer - punctual & friendly Driver: $275
- Private Salzburg transfer : $239
- Private Transfer From Salzburg To Kitzbuhel, English Speaking Driver : $201
- Private Transfer From Zell am See To Salzburg, English Speaking Driver: $201
- Salzburg Airport (SZG) to Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Arrival Transfer: $167
- Saalbach-Hinterglemm to Salzburg Airport (SZG)-Departure Transfer: $167
- Salzburg Train Station Arrival Transfer: $119
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Salzburg?
Prices for flights to both Salzburg 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 $11Salzburg $84
Typical Food Prices in Salzburg
Some typical examples of dining costs in Salzburg are as follows:
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Lunch Salad$11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salzburg
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salzburg.
- Austrian Apple Strudel Cooking Class including Lunch in Salzburg: $69
- Salzburg Christmas Cookies and Apple Strudel Cooking Lesson: $69
- Apple Strudel & Prezel Cooking Class incl. Dinner & Music: $94
- Best of Mozart Concert and Dinner or VIP Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg: $98
- Mozart and Advent/Christmas Concert with Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg: $98
- Mozart Dinner Concert in Salzburg: $102
- Mozart Concert and Dinner or VIP Dinner at Fortress Salzburg with River Cruise: $129
- Sound of Music Tour with Edelweiss Cooking Class in Salzburg: $149
- Best of Mozart Concert and GOLDEN VIP Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg: $153
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.76Salzburg $35
Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.
- Nam Song River Kayak Tour: $18
- Tham Nangfar and Tham Nam Day Tour with Kayaking: $24
- Get Your Laos–China Train Ticket Fast – No Waiting, No Worries: $30
- Blue Lagoon and Countryside Bike Tour with Lunch: $38
- Vangrong Full Day Tour: $45
- Vang Vieng Shared Tour with Kayaking in Nam Song River: $48
- Vang Vieng Bike Tour: $49
- One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng : $50
- Kayaking&Zipline&Cave Tubing&cave tour: $51
- Vangrong One Day Shared Tour: $52
- Vang Vieng Tour B - Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour: $55
- Laos: Jungle Zipline and Caving Tour: $58
Tours and Activities in Salzburg
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Salzburg are as follows:
- 3-Night Salzburg Winter Package with City Highlights Tour: $263
- A taste of An audio tour through the birthplace of Mozart: $12
- Amphibious Splash Tour on the water & on the land in Salzburg: $51
- Best of Salzburg 1-Hour Private Sightseeing Tour: $179
- Charming Sankt Gilgen Family Discovery Walking Tour: $178
- DomQuartier Salzburg Residence and Cathedral Private Tour: $249
- Eagle's Nest & WWII Bunkers & Berchtesgaden Tour from Salzburg: $298
- Eagle's Nest Hiking Tour: $238
- Eagle’s Nest E-Bike Tour in a Small Group: $226
- Explore Hitlers Mountain World War II Tour: $142
- From Munich: Salzburg Day Trip with Train Ticket: $226
- Full Day UNESCO Hallstatt, Austrian Lakes and Mountains Tour: $167
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.11Salzburg $31
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salzburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salzburg:
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Beer$4.34
Sample the Local Flavors in Salzburg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Salzburg:
- Private Austrian Wine Tasting with a Pro-Sommelière: $203
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Salzburg, we can see that Salzburg 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 Salzburg is in Europe, 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 Salzburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Salzburg 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 Salzburg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Salzburg?
Salzburg has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Salzburg, 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 Salzburg?
Salzburg 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 Salzburg in the Summer?
Both Salzburg and Vang Vieng during the summer 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 Salzburg in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.
Vang Vieng is a little warmer than Salzburg in the summer. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Salzburg fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
In Salzburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Vang Vieng often gets less sunshine than Salzburg. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 227 hours of full sun.
Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in July than Salzburg. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)Salzburg 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Salzburg in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Salzburg. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Also, most visitors come to Salzburg for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Salzburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vang Vieng in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Salzburg averages at about 11°C (52°F).
In Vang Vieng, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Salzburg during autumn. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 108 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Salzburg. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Salzburg 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Salzburg in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Salzburg. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Salzburg can be very cold. In January, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Salzburg. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 24°C (75°F), and Salzburg fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vang Vieng this time of the year. In the winter, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Salzburg. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 44 hours of full sun.
Vang Vieng usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Salzburg. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)Salzburg -0°C (31°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Salzburg in the Spring?
Both Salzburg and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year.
Vang Vieng is much warmer than Salzburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in April, and Salzburg fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Salzburg during spring. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Vang Vieng. In April, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Salzburg. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Salzburg 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Salzburg and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | Salzburg | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | -0°C (31°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 93 mm (3.6 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 64 mm (2.5 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.