Which place is cheaper, Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Kanazawa, 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 Kanazawa?
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.
Kanazawa
An important city of the Edo-period, Kanazawa is a well preserved city from a time when samurai, merchants, geisha, and lords made up the core of its culture. Though it is often overlooked by foreigners, the city is a gem of Japanese tourism with a number of preserved historic districts, temples, regional handicrafts, art museums, and some of the best food to be had in Japan.
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 Japan, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan.
-
Vientiane Prices
Laos PricesKanazawa Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $24Kanazawa $131
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $24, while the average daily cost in Kanazawa is $131. 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 Kanazawa in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $8.45Kanazawa $66
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $17Kanazawa $132
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Kanazawa
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Kanazawa? 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 Kanazawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.01Kanazawa $9.66
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Kanazawa?
Prices for flights to both Kanazawa 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 $12Kanazawa $58
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kanazawa
For Kanazawa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Authentic Japanese Cooking and Sushi-Making Lesson: $101
- traditional Japanese & sushi cooking classes: $103
- Fishing Experience with Gyotaku and Cooking: $423
- Geisha Performance with Dinner and Drinks: $1,217
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.80Kanazawa $10
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
Tours and Activities in Kanazawa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kanazawa.
- Rental Kimono Selfie Photo Experience: $21
- Ring making experience　 Completed in about 1 hour! : $23
- Private Ring Craft Experience in Kanazawa: $23
- Selfie Photo Experience with Rental Kimono - Moon: $23
- Selfie Photo Experience with Rental Kimono - Color: $27
- Tea Ceremony Experience at Kenrokuen: $30
- Kanazawa:Traditional Experience -kimono rent at wargo: $33
- Kenrokuen Tea Ceremony Experience: $37
- Kanazawa Private/Group Walking Tour: Local & Major Highlight: $50
- Private Custom Tour with Local Guide: $54
- Private Walking Tour with a Local: $55
- Market Tastings and Castle Town Adventure in Kanazawa: $55
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.12Kanazawa $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Kanazawa
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kanazawa:
- Kanazawa Historic Brewery: Fermentation Tour, Tasting, Lunch: $81
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Kanazawa, we can see that Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Kanazawa?
Kanazawa has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Kanazawa, 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 Kanazawa?
Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Kanazawa. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Kanazawa because of the family-friendly experiences.
Vientiane is a little warmer than Kanazawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 30°C (85°F) in July, and Kanazawa fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
In the summer, Vientiane often gets less sunshine than Kanazawa. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanazawa receives 180 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. Vientiane receives a lot of rain in the summer. Vientiane usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Kanazawa. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Kanazawa 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Kanazawa in the Autumn?
Both Kanazawa 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 shopping scene are the main draw to Kanazawa this time of year.
In the autumn, Vientiane is much warmer than Kanazawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vientiane in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Kanazawa averages at about 17°C (62°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Kanazawa during autumn. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Kanazawa receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kanazawa. In October, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Kanazawa. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 203 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Kanazawa 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Kanazawa in the Winter?
Both Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Kanazawa. In January, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Kanazawa. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 24°C (75°F), and Kanazawa fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
It's quite sunny in Vientiane. In the winter, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Kanazawa. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanazawa receives 67 hours of full sun.
Kanazawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vientiane usually gets less rain in January than Kanazawa. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Kanazawa 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Kanazawa in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Kanazawa. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round.
It's very hot in Vientiane this time of the year. Vientiane is much warmer than Kanazawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and Kanazawa fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Kanazawa during spring. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Kanazawa receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.
Kanazawa receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Kanazawa. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Kanazawa 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Kanazawa and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Kanazawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 202 mm (8 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 251 mm (9.9 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 248 mm (9.8 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 203 mm (8 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 306 mm (12 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.