Which place is cheaper, Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Koh Phi Phi, 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 Koh Phi Phi?
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.
Koh Phi Phi
The islands of Koh Phi Phi, off the coast of southwestern Thailand, are very popular with travelers because of their unrivaled tropical scenery, clear blue waters, relaxing atmosphere, and undersea attractions. However, in the last decade, Koh Phi Phi has seen a huge surge in tourism, adding to the crowds and pollution of the main (and only populated) island, known as Koh Phi Phi Don.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Thailand, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Thailand.
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Vientiane Prices
Laos PricesKoh Phi Phi Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $24Koh Phi Phi $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $24, while the average daily cost in Koh Phi Phi is $95. 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 Koh Phi Phi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $8.45Koh Phi Phi $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $17Koh Phi Phi $100
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Koh Phi Phi
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Koh Phi Phi? 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 Koh Phi Phi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.01Koh Phi Phi $7.93
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:
- 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 Koh Phi Phi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Phi Phi:
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Ferry to Maya Beach (for 2)$17
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Longboat Taxi$3.14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Phi Phi
Also for Koh Phi Phi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Speedboat Transfer Phi Phi Tonsai to Phuket with Dropoff Service: $29
- Easy Island Transfer from Phi Phi Island to Koh Tao: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Koh Phi Phi?
Prices for flights to both Koh Phi Phi 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 $12Koh Phi Phi $23
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 Koh Phi Phi
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Phi Phi:
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Crepe$1.88
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Sit Down Lunch$11
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Casual Lunch$6.59
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Coconut Donut$0.31
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Lunch at Mexican Restaurant (for 2)$13
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Sit Down Dinner$16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Phi Phi
For Koh Phi Phi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- International Dinner & Cabaret Show - Ala Carte Package: $22
- International Dinner & Cabaret Show - Set Menu Package: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.80Koh Phi Phi $52
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 Koh Phi Phi
For Koh Phi Phi, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Kayak Rental$9.42
Tours and Activities in Koh Phi Phi
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Phi Phi.
- Ferry from Phi Phi Islands to Phuket with Dropoff Service by Royal Jet Cruiser: $15
- Phi Phi Island Half Day Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $18
- Phi Phi Sunset Longtail Boat Cruise to Maya Bay and Snorkeling: $18
- Phuket Trick Eye Museum Admission Ticket: $19
- Phi Phi Island To Phuket By Phi Phi Cruiser: $19
- Half-Day Phi Phi Island Longtail Boat Tour with Maya Bay Visit: $19
- Koh Phi Phi to Phuket by Phi Phi Cruiser: $19
- Snorkeling Phi Phi Islands Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $20
- Phuket Trick Eye Museum Admission Ticket (SHA Plus): $22
- Trick Eye Museum at Phuket Admission Ticket: $24
- Half-Day Morning Bamboo Island Tour from Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $25
- Phi Phi Islands Sunset Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.12Koh Phi Phi $6.51
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Phi Phi
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Phi Phi from other travelers:
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Mojito Bucket$16
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Banana Daiquiri$6.28
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Koh Phi Phi, we can see that Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Koh Phi Phi?
Vientiane has a larger population, and is about 200 times larger than the population of Koh Phi Phi. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Koh Phi Phi, 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 Koh Phi Phi?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Vientiane or Koh Phi Phi in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Koh Phi Phi. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Phi Phi throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Koh Phi Phi. Vientiane receives a lot of rain in the summer. Vientiane usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Koh Phi Phi. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Phi Phi. In the summer, Vientiane often gets less sunshine than Koh Phi Phi. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Phi Phi receives 206 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Vientiane is around the same temperature as Koh Phi Phi. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vientiane in July average around 30°C (85°F), and Koh Phi Phi averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Koh Phi Phi 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Koh Phi Phi in the Autumn?
Both Koh Phi Phi and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Phi Phi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Koh Phi Phi is December to March. The rainy season in Koh Phi Phi is May to November. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Phi Phi. In October, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Koh Phi Phi. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Koh Phi Phi during autumn. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Phi Phi receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Vientiane is generally around the same temperature as Koh Phi Phi. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 28°C (83°F), and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Koh Phi Phi 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Koh Phi Phi in the Winter?
Both Koh Phi Phi 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Phi Phi year-round.
December to March is the dry season in Koh Phi Phi. Vientiane usually gets less rain in January than Koh Phi Phi. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Koh Phi Phi, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Vientiane. In the winter, Vientiane often gets less sunshine than Koh Phi Phi. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Phi Phi receives 287 hours of full sun.
Vientiane is cooler than Koh Phi Phi in the winter. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Koh Phi Phi 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Koh Phi Phi in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Koh Phi Phi. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Koh Phi Phi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Also, May to November is the rainy season in Koh Phi Phi. Koh Phi Phi receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Koh Phi Phi. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Phi Phi this time of the year. In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives less sunshine than Koh Phi Phi during spring. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Phi Phi receives 249 hours of full sun in the spring.
The heat can be very extreme in Vientiane. In the spring, Vientiane is around the same temperature as Koh Phi Phi. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vientiane in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Koh Phi Phi averages at about 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Koh Phi Phi 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Phi Phi and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Koh Phi Phi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.