Which place is cheaper, Rotorua 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 Rotorua?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Rotorua, 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 Rotorua?
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.
Rotorua
Located on the banks of Lake Rotorua, Rotorua is famous as the thermal wonderland of New Zealand. The area has a variety of geothermal sights, but it is also close to several lakes and has more traditional activities as well, including fishing, boating and white water rafting.
Rotorua is located in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, which is the largest volcano in the area. There are four major volcanic calderas that now have lakes, and several other volcanoes in the area. Rotorua sits on top of a thermal hot spring, and there are many vents and hot pools throughout the area. Many of the hot pools and sights are located within parks, with some of the best being Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Rainbow Springs Nature Park, and Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.
Rotorua has a warm, temperate climate. Because of the area's inland location, it has less wind than many places in New Zealand. Temperatures during the winter months can fall to below freezing, but snow is incredibly rare.
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 in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.
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Vientiane Prices
Laos PricesRotorua Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $24Rotorua $114
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $24, while the average daily cost in Rotorua is $114. 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 Rotorua in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $8.45Rotorua $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $17Rotorua $96
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Rotorua
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Rotorua? 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 Rotorua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.01Rotorua $4.99
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:
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $20
- Vientiane Private Transfer: Wattay Airport -Hotel-Railway Station: $9.90
- Vientiane - Hanoi Sleeping Bus Transfer : $63
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rotorua
Also for Rotorua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Rotorua to Auckland Afternoon Transfer with Waitomo Glow Worms: $186
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Rotorua?
Prices for flights to both Rotorua 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 $12Rotorua $50
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 Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mitai Maori Village: Cultural Experience and Dinner Buffet: $98
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Evening Experience - Haka + Dinner: $113
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Evening Experience with Dinner: $117
- Te Pa Tu Māori Cultural Experience with Dinner: $156
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Combo - Tour, Dinner + Haka: $161
- Evening Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour with dinner: $202
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.80Rotorua $34
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 Rotorua
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Rotorua's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Lunch Out for Two$27
Tours and Activities in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Mini Golf Experience: $12
- Jade Carving Experience at a Local Studio: $26
- Mountain Jade Highlights Tour: $27
- Whakarewarewa Village Guided Tour: $28
- Whakarewarewa Village Guided Tour: $29
- Geothermal Mineral Baths Experience: Pavilion Pools for 12+: $29
- Geothermal Adults Only Mineral Bathing - Pavilion Pools Bathing Ticket: $30
- Authentic Kiwi Farm Experience at the Agrodome: $34
- Agrodome Farm Experience including Farm Show and Farm Tour - Rotorua: $35
- Waimangu Volcanic Valley Ticket & Self-Guided Walk: $38
- Waimangu Volcanic Valley Entry Ticket: $38
- The National Kiwi Hatchery Kiwi Encounter Tour: $38
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.12Rotorua $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Rotorua
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rotorua:
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Bottle of Wine$11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Rotorua, we can see that Rotorua 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 Rotorua 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 Rotorua would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rotorua 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 Rotorua Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Rotorua?
Vientiane has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Rotorua. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Rotorua, 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 Rotorua?
Rotorua 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 Rotorua in the Summer?
Both Rotorua and Vientiane during the summer 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 Rotorua for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Rotoruain January. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 30°C (85°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually gets more rain in July than Rotoruain January. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryVientiane 30°C (85°F)Rotorua 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Rotorua in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Rotorua. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Rotorua in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Vientiane is much warmer than Rotorua in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Rotorua fluctuates around 16°C (61°F)in April.
In October, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Rotoruain April. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilVientiane 28°C (83°F)Rotorua 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Rotorua in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Rotorua. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Rotorua for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Vientiane is around the same temperature as Rotorua. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vientiane in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Rotorua averages at about 26°C (79°F)in July.
Vientiane usually gets more rain in January than Rotoruain July. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyVientiane 24°C (75°F)Rotorua 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Rotorua in the Spring?
Both Rotorua and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the natural beauty.
Vientiane can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Rotoruain October. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 31°C (88°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In April, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Rotoruain October. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberVientiane 31°C (88°F)Rotorua 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Rotorua and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Rotorua | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.