A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Vang Vieng vs. Tianjin for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Vang Vieng or Tianjin?

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

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Tianjin? 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 Tianjin?

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.

Tianjin

Tianjin is a large metropolis on the north east coast of China. This ancient city, which dates back to prehistoric times, is one of five National Central Cities of China and is rich in culture and history. Tianjin is most famous for its beautiful walking streets and history of European concession territories.

Tianjin experiences hot and humid summers, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are cool and dry with temperatures around 15° (F). Spring and Autumn tend to be the best times to visit as weather is a little more mild, although Spring has a tendency to be a little rainy.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, and The Best Cultural Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Tianjin 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.

  • Vang Vieng Prices
    Laos Prices
    Tianjin Prices
    China Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Vang Vieng $19
    Tianjin $92

The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $19, while the average daily cost in Tianjin is $92. 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 Tianjin in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Vang Vieng $4.25
    Tianjin $35
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Vang Vieng $8.50
    Tianjin $70
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Tianjin

Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng or Tianjin? 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 Vang Vieng


Hotels in Tianjin


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Vang Vieng $3.11
    Tianjin $37

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 Tianjin

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

  • Cruise Transfer from Tianjin Port to Beijing Hotels : $225
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer: Tianjin Hotels to Mutianyu Great Wall: $212
  • Private Transfer from Tianjin International Airport to Beijing Downtown: $208
  • Private One Way Tianjin Port Transfer to Beijing including Great Wall Sightseeing: $198
  • Tianjin Private Transfer to Gubei Water Town and Simatai Great Wall: $196
  • Private Transfer to Huangyaguan Great Wall from Tianjin City: $178
  • Private Tianjin Port Transfer to Huangyaguan Great Wall: $178
  • Private PEK Airport Departure Transfer from Tianjin with Bullet Train Experience: $168
  • Private Transfer: Tianjin Cruise Port to Great Wall of China with Beijing Drop-Off: $168
  • Private Tianjin Port Transfer: Between Beijing to Tianjin Port: $160
  • Private 1-Way Transfer Between Tianjin Port to Beijing: $138
  • Private One Way Transfer Between Tianjin Port and Beijing: $132

Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Tianjin?

Prices for flights to both Tianjin 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Vang Vieng $11
    Tianjin $36

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Vang Vieng $4.76
    Tianjin $10

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

Tours and Activities in Tianjin

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

  • Private Tour to Uncover Tianjin’s Must-Visit Bucket-List Spots : $248
  • 1 Day Tianjin City Essence Tour from Tianjin Port: $235
  • 4-Hour Tianjin Shore Excursion to Shijia Mansion with Bullet Train Experience: $210
  • 5-Hour Private Tianjin Shopping Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $179
  • All-inclusive Day Tour: China House, Five Avenues, Ancient Street & Tianjin Eye: $224
  • All-inclusive Tianjin Day Tour to Qing Emperor's Tomb & Huangyaguan Great Wall : $278
  • Bullet Train Private Tour: Beijing Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Great Wall: $239
  • From Beijing: Tianjin Highlights Day Tour by High-Speed Rail: $289
  • Huangyaguan Great Wall Layover Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $265
  • Private Great Wall Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $248
  • Private Tianjin City Highlight Day Tour: $188
  • Private Tianjin City Night Tour with Haihe River Cruise: $176

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Vang Vieng $1.11
    Tianjin $11


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


Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Tianjin?

Tianjin has a larger population, and is about 150 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Tianjin, 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 Tianjin?

Tianjin 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 Tianjin in the Summer?

Both Tianjin and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year.

In the summer, Vang Vieng is cooler than Tianjin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vang Vieng in July average around 22°C (72°F), and Tianjin averages at about 27°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in Tianjin. Vang Vieng usually receives less sunshine than Tianjin during summer. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Tianjin receives 224 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tianjin. In July, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Tianjin. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Tianjin receives 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Vang Vieng 22°C (72°F) 
    Tianjin 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Tianjin in the Autumn?

Both Tianjin and Vang Vieng during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In October, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Tianjin. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Tianjin fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In Tianjin, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Vang Vieng. In the autumn, Vang Vieng often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tianjin. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tianjin receives 227 hours of full sun.

Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in October than Tianjin. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Tianjin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Vang Vieng 23°C (73°F) 
    Tianjin 15°C (58°F)

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Tianjin in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Tianjin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round.

Tianjin can get quite cold in the winter. Vang Vieng is much warmer than Tianjin in the winter. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Tianjin fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tianjin this time of the year. In Vang Vieng, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Tianjin during winter. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Tianjin receives 201 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Tianjin. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Tianjin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Vang Vieng 24°C (75°F) 
    Tianjin -3°C (27°F)

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Tianjin in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Tianjin. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the spring, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Tianjin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vang Vieng in April average around 23°C (73°F), and Tianjin averages at about 14°C (58°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tianjin. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vang Vieng this time of the year. In the spring, Vang Vieng often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tianjin. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tianjin receives 247 hours of full sun.

Vang Vieng receives a lot of rain in the spring. Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in April than Tianjin. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Tianjin receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Vang Vieng 23°C (73°F) 
    Tianjin 14°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Tianjin and Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng Tianjin
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) -3°C (27°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Feb 24°C (75°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) -1°C (31°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Mar 24°C (75°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 6°C (43°F) 9 mm (0.3 in)
Apr 23°C (73°F) 188 mm (7.4 in) 14°C (58°F) 25 mm (1 in)
May 23°C (73°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 21°C (69°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Jun 22°C (72°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 25°C (77°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Jul 22°C (72°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 27°C (80°F) 185 mm (7.3 in)
Aug 22°C (72°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 26°C (79°F) 155 mm (6.1 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 21°C (70°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 15°C (58°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 113 mm (4.4 in) 6°C (43°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 23°C (73°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) -1°C (31°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)


Related Articles for Vang Vieng
Related Articles for Tianjin