Which place is cheaper, Brisbane or Vientiane?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Vientiane or Brisbane?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Brisbane, 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 Brisbane?
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.
Brisbane
Although Brisbane is often overlooked as a travel destination in Australia, it is the capital of the state of Queensland, and is the third largest city in Australia. It's a very young and vibrant city with an active nightlife and a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. It's a modern and economically thriving city and, if you do have time to visit, it actually has a lot to offer travelers. It has some beautiful scenery, a wonderful warm climate all year long, and is actually one of the fastest growing cities in Australia.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia.
-
Vientiane Prices
Laos PricesBrisbane Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $24Brisbane $154
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $24, while the average daily cost in Brisbane is $154. 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 Brisbane in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $8.45Brisbane $81
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $17Brisbane $162
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Brisbane
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Brisbane? 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 and Brisbane Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.01Brisbane $18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
-
Tuk Tuk Ride$4.15
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Brisbane
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Brisbane:
-
Airtrain to the City$9.81
-
Go Card$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brisbane
Also for Brisbane, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Brisbane Airport: Shared Transfer to Brisbane: $22
- BNE Airport to City | Gold Coast Private Transfer: $40
- Private Arrival Transfer: Brisbane Airport to Hotel: $54
- Brisbane Airport: Shared Transfer to Gold Coast: $56
- Secrets St Lucia Airport Transfer: $58
- Brisbane Airport: Shared Transfer to Sunshine Coast: $59
- Luxury Airport Transfer Gold Coast-Brisbane / Brisbane-Gold Coast: $60
- Brisbane to Brisbane Airport (BNE) - Departure Private Transfer: $84
- Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Brisbane - Arrival Private Transfer: $84
- Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Brisbane hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $85
- NOOSA: Private Transfer to/fro Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY): $96
- UVF Luxury Transfer To Secrets St. Lucia Roundtrip: $100
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Brisbane?
Prices for flights to both Brisbane 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
-
Food Meals for one dayVientiane $12Brisbane $54
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 Brisbane
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Brisbane:
-
Hamburger Lunch$5.23
-
Cup of Coffee$1.96
-
Chinese Food Lunch$8.18
-
Ice cream$3.60
-
Japanese Meal$14
-
Smoothie$4.25
-
Japanese Soup$7.52
-
Coffee & Muffin$4.58
-
Morning Mint Tea$2.29
-
Veggie Burger & Chips$9.16
-
Bread$1.70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brisbane
For Brisbane, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Gold Coast: Glow Worms, Sunset & Stargazing with BBQ dinner: $118
- Vertigo Dinner – Dining on the Edge: $165
- Dinner on the Edge with Vertigo Brisbane: $168
- Local Icons Food Tour: $354
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.80Brisbane $24
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Brisbane
For Brisbane, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Concert Tickets$13
Tours and Activities in Brisbane
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Brisbane.
- Escape to Coochiemudlo Island: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Tour, Taste & Camel Encounter: $17
- Fortitude Valley Historical Crime Walking Tour: $22
- True Crime Tour: $22
- Winery Tour and Tasting: $23
- True Crime Walking Tour: $25
- Haunted CBD Ghost Tour: $25
- Moonlight State Fortitude Valley Crime Tour Crime Tours Australia: $26
- Haunted Brisbane CBD Ghost Tour: $26
- Adventure Theme Scavenger Hunt Experience in Brisbane: $27
- Solve a Detective Case in a themed adventure: $31
- Alice In Puzzleland an Escape Hunt Brisbane Experience: $32
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.12Brisbane $50
Typical Alcohol Prices in Brisbane
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Brisbane:
-
Evening at the Bar$9.81
-
Sixpack of Beer$9.16
-
Guiness Beer$5.56
-
Sixpack of Beer$8.50
Sample the Local Flavors in Brisbane
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Brisbane:
- XXXX Brewery Tour: $25
- Hop on Hop off Brewery Adventure : $66
- Island Pub Crawl with Lunch and High Speed Boat Tour in Brisbane : $101
- Afternoon Brisbane Half-Day Brewery Tour: $107
- Hop on Hop off Wine tasting tour to Tamborine Mountain: $110
- Island Pub Crawl with Lunch and High-Speed Boat: $116
- Hinterland Heritage Wine Tour : $134
- Brisbane Brewery Full Day Tour with Lunch: $140
- Gold Coast Full Day Brewery Tour: $140
- Deluxe Wine Tour to Tamborine Mountain, includes two course lunch: $148
- Tamborine Wine & Distillery Tour + 2 Course Lunch: $165
- Mount Tamborine Wine Tasting Tour from Brisbane or the Gold Coast: $168
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Brisbane, we can see that Brisbane is more expensive. And not only is Vientiane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Vientiane is in Asia and Brisbane is in Pacific, 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 Brisbane would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brisbane 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 Brisbane Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Brisbane?
Brisbane has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Brisbane, 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 Brisbane?
Brisbane 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 Brisbane in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Brisbane. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Brisbane because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Vientiane is generally a little warmer than Brisbanein January. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 30°C (85°F), and Brisbane fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. In the summer, Vientiane often gets less sunshine than Brisbanein January. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brisbane receives 256 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Brisbane. Vientiane receives a lot of rain in the summer. Vientiane usually gets more rain in July than Brisbanein January. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryVientiane 30°C (85°F)Brisbane 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Brisbane in the Autumn?
Both Brisbane and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Brisbane this time of year.
Vientiane is a little warmer than Brisbane in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Brisbane fluctuates around 22°C (71°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Brisbane. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Brisbane during autumn. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Brisbane receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. In October, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Brisbanein April. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilVientiane 28°C (83°F)Brisbane 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Brisbane in the Winter?
Both Brisbane and Vientiane during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Brisbane for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Vientiane is much warmer than Brisbane. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vientiane in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Brisbane averages at about 15°C (59°F)in July.
In Brisbane, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Vientiane. In the winter, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Brisbanein July. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brisbane receives 226 hours of full sun.
Vientiane usually gets less rain in January than Brisbanein July. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyVientiane 24°C (75°F)Brisbane 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Brisbane in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Brisbane. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Brisbane in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.
Vientiane can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Brisbanein October. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 31°C (88°F), and Brisbane fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brisbane this time of the year. In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives less sunshine than Brisbane during spring. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Brisbane receives 259 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Brisbanein October. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberVientiane 31°C (88°F)Brisbane 21°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Brisbane and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Brisbane | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 127 mm (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.