Which place is cheaper, Salzburg 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 Salzburg?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Salzburg, 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 Salzburg?
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.
Salzburg
Most people know of Salzburg from its roll in the infamous movie "The Sound of Music." Every child who fell in love with this movie knows the gazebo scene in the rain, or could sing "My Favorite Things" as they skip down the Salzach River, but once you get past the obvious cliches, you can see that Salzburg is a city with a lot of depth and culture aside from the movie.
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 Austria, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria.
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Vientiane Prices
Laos PricesSalzburg Prices
Austria Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $24Salzburg $217
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $24, while the average daily cost in Salzburg is $217. 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 Salzburg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $8.45Salzburg $107
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $17Salzburg $214
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Salzburg
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Salzburg? 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 Salzburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.01Salzburg $23
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 Private Transfer: Wattay Airport -Hotel-Railway Station: $9.90
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $20
- Vientiane - Hanoi Sleeping Bus Transfer : $63
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salzburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salzburg:
- Salzburg Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $72
- Private Transfer between Salzburg Airport and Salzburg City: $72
- Salzburg Private Transfer from Salzburg Airport to City centre: $85
- Arrival Private Transfers: Salzburg Airport SZG to Salzburg in Business Car: $99
- Departure Private Transfers: Salzburg to Salzburg Airport SZG in Business Car: $99
- Salzburg Airport Transfers : Salzburg to Salzburg Airport SZG in Business Car: $99
- Arrival Private Transfers: Salzburg Airport SZG to Salzburg in Luxury Van: $102
- Salzburg Airport Transfers : Salzburg to Salzburg Airport SZG in Luxury Car: $118
- Salzburg Train Station Departure Transfer: $119
- Salzburg Train Station Arrival Transfer: $119
- Salzburg Airport (SZG) to Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Arrival Transfer: $167
- Saalbach-Hinterglemm to Salzburg Airport (SZG)-Departure Transfer: $167
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Salzburg?
Prices for flights to both Salzburg 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 $12Salzburg $84
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 Salzburg
Some typical examples of dining costs in Salzburg are as follows:
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Lunch Salad$11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salzburg
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salzburg.
- Austrian Apple Strudel Cooking Class including Lunch in Salzburg: $69
- Salzburg Christmas Cookies and Apple Strudel Cooking Lesson: $69
- Apple Strudel & Prezel Cooking Class incl. Dinner & Music: $94
- Best of Mozart Concert and Dinner or VIP Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg: $98
- Mozart and Advent/Christmas Concert with Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg: $98
- Mozart Dinner Concert in Salzburg: $102
- Mozart Concert and Dinner or VIP Dinner at Fortress Salzburg with River Cruise: $129
- Sound of Music Tour with Edelweiss Cooking Class in Salzburg: $149
- Best of Mozart Concert and GOLDEN VIP Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg: $153
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.80Salzburg $35
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- Laos Railway Tickets Easily: Avoid Long Queues & Wasted Time: $30
- Laos Railway Tickets Online: Skip Long Queues, Avoid Missing: $30
- Art, Culture, & Inspiration Guided Half-Day Tour: $52
- Half-Day City Tour with Patuxai and Buddha Park: $52
- Vientiane Sky Luge and Roller Zipline Experience: $55
- Vientiane Landmarks and Cultural Immersion Tour: $56
- Cultural Tour with Buddha Park and Patuxay: $58
- Vientiane IG tour & Patuxay monument: $59
- Half-Day City Tour - Morning or Afternoon: $65
- Vientiane Half Day City Tour: $80
- Vientiane : Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $88
- Vientiane Half-Day City Tour: $89
Tours and Activities in Salzburg
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Salzburg are as follows:
- Salzburg Self Guided Audio Tour with Options: $3.57
- Salzburg Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $4.78
- Mozart's Salzburg Exploration Game and Tour: $7.16
- Zell am See Exploration Game and Tour: $7.16
- Salzburg Uncovered: Your Self Guided Adventure: $8.35
- A taste of An audio tour through the birthplace of Mozart: $12
- Sightseeing with the Sound of Music: A Salzburg Audio Tour: $12
- Stiegl Brauwelt Museum ticket: $17
- Fun & mobile puzzle rally tour in Mozart's footsteps through Salzburg: $26
- Fun & mobile puzzle rally tour through Salzburg: $31
- Salzburg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour : $36
- Salzburg Old Town Walking Tour, Mozart, Mirabell Gardens: $39
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.12Salzburg $31
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salzburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salzburg:
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Beer$4.34
Sample the Local Flavors in Salzburg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Salzburg:
- Private Austrian Wine Tasting with a Pro-Sommelière: $203
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Salzburg, we can see that Salzburg 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 Salzburg 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 Salzburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Salzburg 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 Salzburg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Salzburg?
Vientiane has a larger population, and is about 31% larger than the population of Salzburg. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Salzburg, 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 Salzburg?
Salzburg 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 Salzburg in the Summer?
Both Salzburg and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year. Also, the music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year.
In July, Vientiane is generally a little warmer than Salzburg. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 30°C (85°F), and Salzburg fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
It's quite sunny in Salzburg. Vientiane usually receives less sunshine than Salzburg during summer. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Vientiane. In July, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Salzburg. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Salzburg 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Salzburg in the Autumn?
Both Salzburg and Vientiane during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Salzburg for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Vientiane is much warmer than Salzburg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Salzburg fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
It's quite sunny in Vientiane. In the autumn, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Salzburg. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 108 hours of full sun.
Vientiane usually gets more rain in October than Salzburg. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Salzburg 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Salzburg in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Salzburg. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Also, many visitors come to Salzburg in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Salzburg can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Vientiane is much warmer than Salzburg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vientiane in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Salzburg averages at about -0°C (31°F).
In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Salzburg during winter. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 44 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Salzburg. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Salzburg -0°C (31°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Salzburg in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Salzburg. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Salzburg for the natural beauty during these months.
Vientiane can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Salzburg. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 31°C (88°F), and Salzburg fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane this time of the year. In the spring, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Salzburg. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 155 hours of full sun.
Vientiane usually gets more rain in April than Salzburg. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Salzburg 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Salzburg and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Salzburg | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | -0°C (31°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 93 mm (3.6 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 64 mm (2.5 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.