Which place is cheaper, Beijing or Vientiane?
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 Vientiane or Beijing?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Beijing, 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: Vientiane or Beijing?
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.
Beijing
Beijing is the capital of China and, with 21.5 million people, it is the second most populated city in the world after Shanghai. It is a city that keeps pockets of its history hidden in old neighborhoods or back alleys, despite the constant change and modernization that goes on around it. As the capital city of China, there is plenty of history and culture. You can still get yourself lost in one of the last remaining hutongs, which are old neighborhoods that remain untouched by the city's modernization. The alleys that weave between the old homes are lined with drying clothes, corner markets, and people going about their daily lives the way they have for centuries. Surrounding these hutongs you'll find modern buildings and a booming economy, all threatening to destroying these last bits of Beijing's history. Beijing offers a glimpse into a microcosm that represents the entire country of China. Make sure you give yourself enough time in China to truly experience Beijing. You can pass a lot of time soaking up life in the city, which remains as diverse as the country it resides within.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Vientiane Prices
Laos PricesBeijing Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $24Beijing $91
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $24, while the average daily cost in Beijing is $91. 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 Vientiane and Beijing in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $8.45Beijing $40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $17Beijing $80
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Beijing
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Beijing? 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.Vientiane $2.01Beijing $7.83
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$4.15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Vientiane - Hanoi Sleeping Bus Transfer : $63
- Vientiane Private Transfer: Wattay Airport -Hotel-Railway Station: $9.90
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
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Taxi$4.78
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Train from Airport for Two$7.01
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Taxi to Hotel$8.41
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2 Metro Passes$2.24
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Metro$0.56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
- Private Transfers for City, Suburbs & Airport/Train: $1.46
- Beijing Great Wall Badaling or Mutianyu with Transfer[Optional]: $12
- Private Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour w/ Optional Guide/Transfer: $15
- From Mutianyu Great Wall Transfer with Pick-Up: $19
- Beijing Private Railway Station Arrival/Departure Transfers: $20
- Beijing Mutianyu Great Wall Sightseeing Full-day Bus Transfer: $20
- Beijing Airport:Private One-Way Transfer from Beijing City Center: $20
- Beijing Daxing International Airport shuttle bus transfer service: $20
- Afternoon Bus Transfer to Mutianyu Great Wall + Entry Ticket: $20
- Mutianyu Great Wall Round-Trip Transfer with Driver & Ticket: $20
- Morning Bus Transfer to Mutianyu Great Wall + Entry Ticket: $20
- Beijing Airport Transfer: $21
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Beijing?
Prices for flights to both Beijing and Vientiane 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 dayVientiane $12Beijing $34
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
Typical Food Prices in Beijing
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
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Popcorn$0.84
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Hot Pot Dinner$7.01
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Dumpling Breakfast for Two$2.80
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Watermelon$1.96
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Peking Duck Dinner for 2$17
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Two Popsicles$0.84
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
- Online Cooking Class Kungpao Chicken: $20
- Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $45
- Beijing Acrobatic Show Tickets w/ Optional Dinner or Transfer: $48
- Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $54
- China's Favourite Street Food Cooking Workshop: $55
- Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
- Private Local Food Tour in Beijing with a Local Guide: $59
- Beijing Walking Food Tour with a Local Friend: $60
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Center Beijing: $70
- Beijing Hidden Hutong Bike & Food Tour - Pro Photos Included: $71
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.80Beijing $24
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- Laos Railway Tickets Easily: Avoid Long Queues & Wasted Time: $30
- Laos Railway Tickets Online: Skip Long Queues, Avoid Missing: $30
- Art, Culture, & Inspiration Guided Half-Day Tour: $52
- Half-Day City Tour with Patuxai and Buddha Park: $52
- Vientiane Sky Luge and Roller Zipline Experience: $55
- Vientiane Landmarks and Cultural Immersion Tour: $56
- Cultural Tour with Buddha Park and Patuxay: $58
- Vientiane IG tour & Patuxay monument: $59
- Half-Day City Tour - Morning or Afternoon: $65
- Vientiane Half Day City Tour: $80
- Vientiane : Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $88
- Vientiane Half-Day City Tour: $89
Typical Entertainment Prices in Beijing
Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Summer Palace for Two$8.41
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Two Opera Tickets$60
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Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)$9.81
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Forbidden City (for 2)$17
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Forbidden City Tickets$17
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Audio Guides at Forbidden City$11
Tours and Activities in Beijing
Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Capital Museum tour includes Ticket: $2.78
- Tian’anmenSquare or Forbidden City Online Ticket Booking: $2.92
- Beijing:Tiananmen Square tickets with guide(optional): $3.19
- Forbidden City Walking Guided Tour w/ Entry Tickets: $3.60
- Tiananmen Square Registration Service(Ticket): $3.79
- Tiananmen Square - Registration Ticket: $3.79
- Tiananmen Square Forbidden City and Jingshan Park Ticket or Tours: $4.00
- Beijing Forbidden City,Tianmen Square Admission Tickets: $4.00
- Tickets to all Beijing attractions (Forbidden City optional): $4.21
- Forbidden City and Tian’anmen Square Walking Tour: $4.38
- Tianmen Square, Forbidden City & Royal Museum Tours: $4.38
- The Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square Entry Ticket: $4.38
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.12Beijing $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
- Evening Food Private Tour with Brewery Taproom Hopping at Slow Boat in Beijing: $110
- Tipsy Travel: Beijing Local Food and Bar Crawl night in Hutong: $158
- 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
- Beijing Brewery Bike Tour: $199
- Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: $238
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Beijing, we can see that Beijing is more expensive. And not only is Vientiane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Beijing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Beijing 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 Vientiane Expensive? and Is Beijing Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Beijing?
Beijing has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Beijing, 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 Vientiane or Beijing?
Beijing 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 Vientiane or Beijing in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Beijing. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Beijing for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Vientiane is generally a little warmer than Beijing. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 30°C (85°F), and Beijing fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives less sunshine than Beijing during summer. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Beijing receives 224 hours of full sun in the summer.
Beijing receives a lot of rain in the summer. Vientiane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Beijing. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Beijing 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Beijing in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Beijing. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Beijing in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Vientiane is much warmer than Beijing in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Beijing fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane this time of the year. In the autumn, Vientiane often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Beijing. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beijing receives 227 hours of full sun.
Vientiane usually gets more rain in October than Beijing. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Beijing 14°C (56°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Beijing in the Winter?
Both Beijing and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Beijing for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Beijing can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Vientiane is much warmer than Beijing. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vientiane in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Beijing averages at about -4°C (26°F).
It's quite sunny in Beijing. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Beijing during winter. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Beijing receives 201 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Beijing. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Beijing -4°C (26°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Beijing in the Spring?
Both Beijing and Vientiane during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Beijing because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Vientiane can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Beijing. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 31°C (88°F), and Beijing fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Vientiane. In the spring, Vientiane often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Beijing. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beijing receives 247 hours of full sun.
Vientiane usually gets more rain in April than Beijing. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Beijing 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Beijing and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Beijing | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | -4°C (26°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | -1°C (29°F) | 2 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.