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

Should you visit Vientiane or Shenyang?

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

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

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.

Shenyang

Shenyang, China is the capital, and largest, city in the Liaoning Province in northwest China which borders North Korea. Shenyang has a long, imperial, history and is the birthplace of the Qing Dynasty. The city has a blend of beautifully preserved architecture and modern buildings, creating a pleasant atmosphere for exploring!

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


Which place is cheaper, Shenyang 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
    Shenyang Prices
    China Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Vientiane $24
    Shenyang $85

The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $24, while the average daily cost in Shenyang is $85. 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 Shenyang in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Vientiane $8.45
    Shenyang $41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Vientiane $17
    Shenyang $82
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Shenyang

Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Shenyang? 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 Shenyang


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Vientiane $2.01
    Shenyang $20
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:

  • 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

Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Shenyang?

Prices for flights to both Shenyang 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
    Shenyang $32

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Vientiane $3.80
    Shenyang $7.81

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: $354
  • 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 Shenyang

For Shenyang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Shenyang to Dandong: China North-eastern Border Day Tour: $350

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Vientiane $2.12
    Shenyang $5.91


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


Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Shenyang?

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

Shenyang 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 Shenyang in the Summer?

Both Shenyang 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.

In the summer, Vientiane is a little warmer than Shenyang. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vientiane in July average around 30°C (85°F), and Shenyang averages at about 25°C (77°F).

In Shenyang, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Vientiane often gets less sunshine than Shenyang. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shenyang receives 214 hours of full sun.

Shenyang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually gets more rain in July than Shenyang. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Vientiane 30°C (85°F) 
    Shenyang 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Vientiane or Shenyang in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Shenyang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round.

In October, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Shenyang. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 28°C (83°F), and Shenyang fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Shenyang this time of the year. In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Shenyang during autumn. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Shenyang receives 216 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Shenyang. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Vientiane 28°C (83°F) 
    Shenyang 10°C (51°F)

Should I visit Vientiane or Shenyang in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Shenyang. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

It's quite cold in Shenyang in the winter. Vientiane is much warmer than Shenyang in the winter. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Shenyang fluctuates around -11°C (13°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane this time of the year. In the winter, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Shenyang. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shenyang receives 167 hours of full sun.

Vientiane usually gets less rain in January than Shenyang. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Vientiane 24°C (75°F) 
    Shenyang -11°C (13°F)

Should I visit Vientiane or Shenyang in the Spring?

Both Shenyang and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.

The heat can be very extreme in Vientiane. In the spring, Vientiane is much warmer than Shenyang. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vientiane in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Shenyang averages at about 10°C (50°F).

It's quite sunny in Shenyang. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Shenyang during spring. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Shenyang receives 241 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Shenyang. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Vientiane 31°C (88°F) 
    Shenyang 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Shenyang and Vientiane

Vientiane Shenyang
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) -11°C (13°F) 8 mm (0.3 in)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) -7°C (19°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Mar 29°C (85°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 1°C (34°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Apr 31°C (88°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 10°C (50°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
May 30°C (87°F) 255 mm (10 in) 17°C (63°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Jun 30°C (86°F) 273 mm (10.7 in) 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Jul 30°C (85°F) 266 mm (10.5 in) 25°C (77°F) 174 mm (6.9 in)
Aug 29°C (85°F) 323 mm (12.7 in) 24°C (75°F) 153 mm (6 in)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 295 mm (11.6 in) 18°C (64°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Oct 28°C (83°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 10°C (51°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 1°C (34°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Dec 24°C (74°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) -7°C (19°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)


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