Which place is cheaper, San Francisco 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 San Francisco?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or San Francisco, 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 San Francisco?
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.
San Francisco
San Francisco is a beautiful city that is famous for it's picturesque neighborhoods, liberal character, and stunning location on the bay. Some people describe San Francisco as the United State's most "European City." This title most likely comes from its compact development and its easy walkability. It also has no shortage of parks and public spaces where you can pass some time. The city sits on the end of a peninsula and offers stunning views of the blue bay, rolling green hills, and the striking Golden Gate Bridge.
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 from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.
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Vientiane Prices
Laos PricesSan Francisco Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $24San Francisco $251
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $24, while the average daily cost in San Francisco is $251. 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 San Francisco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $8.45San Francisco $130
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $17San Francisco $260
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and San Francisco
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or San Francisco? 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 San Francisco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.01San Francisco $16
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 San Francisco
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in San Francisco:
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Taxi to SFO$45
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Golden Gate Bridge Toll$6.00
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Alcatraz Tour$30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Francisco
Also for San Francisco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- SFO Airport Private Transfer to Downtown: $29
- San Francisco Airport Transfer to SFO City (Special Offer): $31
- Private Departure Transfer San Fransisco City to SFO Airport: $34
- Private Transfer from San Francisco Airport (SFO): $54
- Private Airport Transfer: SFO ⇄ San Francisco Downtown: $68
- San Francisco to San Francisco Airport (SFO) Private Transfer: $70
- San Francisco to Oakland Airport (OAK) Private Departure Transfer: $77
- San Francisco Airport SFO to San Francisco Port -Private Transfer: $78
- San Francisco Port to San Francisco Airport SFO -Private Transfer: $78
- One Way Private Airport Transfer Service: $95
- San Francisco to/from Yosemite National Park: 1-Way Transfer: $99
- SFO Airport Private Transfer to/from Downtown San Francisco: $101
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or San Francisco?
Prices for flights to both San Francisco 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 $12San Francisco $79
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 San Francisco
For San Francisco, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Online Cooking Class Pepper Steak Great for Team Building: $20
- Online Cooking Class Beijing Dumplings by Chef Sunflower Li: $25
- No Diet Club - Best street food tour in San Francisco !: $64
- North Beach and Little Italy Food Tour: $84
- North Beach & Chinatown Authentic Food Tour: $84
- San Francisco North Beach & Chinatown Food Tour with 5 Tastings: $85
- Mission District Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $89
- Mission District Food Tour with Tastings: $92
- San Francisco Food Tour: Ferry Building and Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: $95
- Chinatown Walking Food Tour: $99
- Mission District Walking Food Tour: $99
- Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 Food Tour: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.80San Francisco $31
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 San Francisco
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Francisco.
- San Francisco Uncovered Self-Guided Adventure: $3.59
- Golden Gate Bridge: Self-guided Tour App - Audio + Written: $5.00
- Self-Guided Golden Gate Bridge Bike or Walking App Tour: $5.00
- The Ghosts of San Francisco Haunted Audio App Walking Tour: $6.99
- San Francisco (District 3) Scavenger Hunt and Self Guided Tour: $7.73
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of the Golden Gate Bridge: $7.99
- Self Guided Chinatown Tour: Food, History and Culture: $7.99
- San Francisco's Barbary Past: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Over the Rainbow in the Castro: A San Francisco Chronicle Self-Guided Tour: $8.99
- San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf Private 1-Hour Walking Tour: $9.00
- Mafia Heist at the Bay: Escape Adventure in San Francisco: $9.61
- Self Guided Walking Tour of San Francisco Chinatown: $9.99
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Museums in San Francisco, The Best Outdoor Activities in San Francisco, and Things to Do In San Francisco on a Rainy Day.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.12San Francisco $22
Sample the Local Flavors in San Francisco
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in San Francisco:
- SF Pub Crawl and Clubbing Experience: $17
- San Francisco Pub Crawl + Clubbing Experience: $27
- Ghosts, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- San Francisco Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl : $36
- Walk with Spirits: A Haunted Pub Crawl in San Francisco: $44
- Walk with Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $44
- Local Distillery Cocktail Class: $49
- Local Distillery Cocktail Class: Skyline Views and City History: $69
- Wine Tasting on the Bay: $85
- From Napa & Sonoma Valley Wine Tour with Tastings: $103
- Napa Valley Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $103
- 5 hours private napa wine tour from san francisco up to 7 people: $120
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and San Francisco, we can see that San Francisco 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 San Francisco is in North America, 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 San Francisco would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Francisco 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 San Francisco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or San Francisco?
San Francisco has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and San Francisco, 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 San Francisco?
San Francisco 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 San Francisco in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as San Francisco. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Francisco this time of year.
In July, Vientiane is generally much warmer than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 30°C (85°F), and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
Vientiane receives a lot of rain in the summer. Vientiane usually gets more rain in July than San Francisco. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)San Francisco 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Vientiane or San Francisco in the Autumn?
Both San Francisco 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, many travelers come to San Francisco for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Vientiane is much warmer than San Francisco in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
In October, Vientiane usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)San Francisco 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Vientiane or San Francisco in the Winter?
Both San Francisco 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. Also, many visitors come to San Francisco in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Vientiane is much warmer than San Francisco. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vientiane in January average around 24°C (75°F), and San Francisco averages at about 50°F (10°C).
Vientiane usually gets less rain in January than San Francisco. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)San Francisco 50°F (10°C)
Should I visit Vientiane or San Francisco in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and San Francisco. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Also, most visitors come to San Francisco for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.
Vientiane can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Vientiane is generally much warmer than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 31°C (88°F), and San Francisco fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
In April, Vientiane usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)San Francisco 58°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for San Francisco and Vientiane
| Vientiane | San Francisco | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 60°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (1 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
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.