A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Vientiane vs. Madrid for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Vientiane or Madrid?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Madrid, 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 Madrid?

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.

Madrid

Madrid, the capital of Spain, overs visitors countless opportunities to experience Spain's culture, art, cuisine, and nightlife. It is the largest city in Spain, and as such has much to explore. The city is situated on the Iberian Peninsula on the Spanish central Castillian plateau. If you're flying into Spain, you'll likely fly into the Madrid airport as it's one of the largest airports in Europe. Madrid is well connected to the rest of Spain with planes, trains and buses, making it a popular place to visit for many travelers doing a European tour.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.


Which place is cheaper, Madrid or Vientiane?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Vientiane Prices
    Laos Prices
    Madrid Prices
    Spain Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Vientiane $24
    Madrid $189

The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $24, while the average daily cost in Madrid is $189. 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 Madrid in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Vientiane $8.45
    Madrid $91
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Vientiane $17
    Madrid $182
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Madrid

Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Madrid? 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 Vientiane


Hotels in Madrid


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 Madrid Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Vientiane $2.01
    Madrid $22
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 Madrid

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Madrid are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $31

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Madrid

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

  • Alcobendas Private Transfer To Madrid Barajas Airport: $29
  • Hotel Madrid City Private Transfer To Madrid Barajas Airport: $29
  • Private transfer departure from City Centre to Madrid Airport: $29
  • Transfer: Barajas Airport (MAD) to Madrid City Center: $32
  • Madrid Barajas Airport Private Transfer To Madrid City: $35
  • Private transfer to Madrid Airport (MAD): $37
  • Madrid Airport (MAD) to Madrid - Arrival Private Transfer: $43
  • Private transfer from Madrid city to CHAMARTIN train station: $47
  • Private Transfer From Madrid Barajas Airport to Madrid: $48
  • Madrid Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $49
  • Madrid Airport Departure Private Transfer: $51
  • Private One-way Airport Transfer Madrid Airport To Madrid: $60

Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Madrid?

Prices for flights to both Madrid 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 day
    Vientiane $12
    Madrid $69

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 Madrid

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Madrid:


  • Coffee
    $2.35
  • Ice Cream
    $3.52
  • Kebabs (for 2)
    $19
  • Croissant
    $1.76
  • Lunch at Airport (for 2)
    $18

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Madrid

For Madrid, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Madrid Old Town Tour & Flamenco Show with Optional Dinner: $71
  • Chocolate & Churros Cooking Class in Madrid : $72
  • Murder Mystery Dinner Experience: $76
  • Spanish Tapas Experience and Sangría Showcooking in Madrid: $78
  • Paella and Tapas Cooking Workshop in Madrid: $84
  • Madrid Spanish Omelet Cooking Class and Bottomless Wine brunch: $90
  • Spanish Cooking Class Paella Tapas and Sangria in Madrid: $102
  • Tapas & Paella Cooking Class in Madrid with a Professional Chef: $106
  • Tapas, Drinks & Stories: Madrid by Night Food Tour: $124
  • Paella Cooking Class in Madrid with Bottomless Wine Pairing: $142
  • Taste of Spain: Tapas Cooking Class with Bottomless Wine Pairing: $142
  • Afternoon Tapas Cooking Class in a Secret Venue in Madrid: $160

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Vientiane $3.80
    Madrid $39

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 Madrid

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

  • Self Guided Walking City Tour in Madrid: $1.17
  • Tour "Barrio de las Letras" Spanish Golden Age: $2.86
  • Tour "Madrid of the Austrias" | Old Town ❤️: $2.86
  • Malasaña and Chueca A Tour That Shouts Freedom: $3.57
  • Madrid Walking Tour from Puerta del Sol to Retiro Park: $3.57
  • Self Guided Tours Madrid With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.57
  • Madrid - Medieval to Modern Walking Tour (English): $3.58
  • Madrid Mountains Free Walking Tour: $3.58
  • Walking Tour of Madrid Moderno, Madrid de los Bourbons : $3.58
  • Tuk Tuk Tour of the Best of Madrid (booking only) : $5.97
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - Cervantes Literary Experience in Madrid: $6.99
  • Ghosts of Exploration Game and Tour: $7.16

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Vientiane $2.12
    Madrid $23

Typical Alcohol Prices in Madrid

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Madrid are as follows:


  • Beer
    $5.87
  • Drinks and Tapas (for 2)
    $15

Sample the Local Flavors in Madrid

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Madrid:

  • Top Pub Crawl Madrid & Party: $11
  • Madrid Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entrance: $12
  • Visit to the Winery with Wine Tasting and Appetizers in Navarra: $12
  • Pub Crawl Madrid by Mad Party Crew: $20
  • Pub Crawl Madrid-The Original since 2005-Shots-Fun-Clubs-Dance: $30
  • Wine Tasting near Plaza Mayor in Madrid : $30
  • Wine Tour with tasting in the Natural Park of La Mata: $38
  • Wine Tasting in Madrid Experience: $55
  • Toledo Tour with Tapas, Wine Tasting and Optional 3 Monuments: $57
  • Hypno Tasting Wine Tasting under Hypnosis in Madrid: $59
  • Madrid Royal Palace Small Group Guided Tour with Wine Tasting: $71
  • New Year Eve Madrid Pub Crawl: $82


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Madrid, we can see that Madrid 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 Madrid is in Europe, 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 Madrid would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Madrid 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 Madrid Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Madrid?

Madrid has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Madrid, 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.