Which place is cheaper, Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Vang Vieng, 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 Vang Vieng?
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.
Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is a town in the Vientiane province of Laos that sits along the banks of the Nam Song River. With its beautifully carved karst topography cliffs towering over the winding river, the area has become very tourist-oriented for those seeking to explore the outdoor wonders. People from all over come to engage in the unique landscape-mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, caving, swimming, and rock climbing, amongst others.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, and The Best Budget Tours to Laos.
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Vientiane Prices
Laos PricesVang Vieng Prices
Laos Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $24Vang Vieng $19
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $24, while the average daily cost in Vang Vieng is $19. 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 Vang Vieng in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $8.45Vang Vieng $4.25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $17Vang Vieng $8.50
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Vang Vieng
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Vang Vieng? 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 Vang Vieng Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.01Vang Vieng $3.11
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vang Vieng
Also for Vang Vieng, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared transfer from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang city: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Vang Vieng?
Prices for flights to both Vang Vieng 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 $12Vang Vieng $11
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.80Vang Vieng $4.76
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 Vang Vieng
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.
- Nam Song River Kayak Tour: $18
- Tham Nangfar and Tham Nam Day Tour with Kayaking: $24
- Get Your Laos–China Train Ticket Fast – No Waiting, No Worries: $30
- Blue Lagoon and Countryside Bike Tour with Lunch: $38
- Vangrong Full Day Tour: $45
- Vang Vieng Shared Tour with Kayaking in Nam Song River: $48
- Vang Vieng Bike Tour: $49
- One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng : $50
- Kayaking&Zipline&Cave Tubing&cave tour: $51
- Vangrong One Day Shared Tour: $52
- Vang Vieng Tour B - Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour: $55
- Laos: Jungle Zipline and Caving Tour: $58
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.12Vang Vieng $1.11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Vang Vieng, we can see that Vientiane is more expensive. And not only is Vang Vieng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vang Vieng would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vang Vieng 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 Vientiane would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vientiane than you might in Vang Vieng.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vientiane Expensive? and Is Vang Vieng Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Vang Vieng?
Vientiane has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Vang Vieng, 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 Vang Vieng?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Vientiane or Vang Vieng in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Vang Vieng. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year.
Vientiane receives a lot of rain in the summer. Vientiane usually gets more rain in July than Vang Vieng. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Vientiane often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vang Vieng. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vang Vieng receives 141 hours of full sun.
In July, Vientiane is generally a little warmer than Vang Vieng. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 30°C (85°F), and Vang Vieng fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Vang Vieng 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Vang Vieng in the Autumn?
Both Vang Vieng and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Vang Vieng. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
It's quite sunny in Vang Vieng. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Vang Vieng during autumn. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Vang Vieng receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Vientiane is a little warmer than Vang Vieng in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Vang Vieng fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Vang Vieng 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Vang Vieng in the Winter?
Both Vang Vieng 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round.
Vientiane usually gets less rain in January than Vang Vieng. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Vang Vieng, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Vientiane. In the winter, Vientiane often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vang Vieng. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vang Vieng receives 254 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Vientiane is around the same temperature as Vang Vieng. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vientiane in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Vang Vieng averages at about 24°C (75°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Vang Vieng 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Vang Vieng in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Vang Vieng. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Vang Vieng receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Vang Vieng. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng during spring. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Vang Vieng receives 230 hours of full sun in the spring.
Vientiane can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Vientiane is generally a little warmer than Vang Vieng. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 31°C (88°F), and Vang Vieng fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Vang Vieng 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Vang Vieng and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Vang Vieng | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 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.