Which place is cheaper, Wellington 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 Wellington?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Wellington, 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 Wellington?
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.
Wellington
Wellington is the capital and second largest city in New Zealand. It sits on the southwestern edge of the North Island between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range. It's a beautiful setting that is encircled by mountains giving it a beautiful backdrop. There are also many cultural sights and attractions around town. Wellington really is the perfect mix of New Zealand's natural beauty and a vibrant urban core. The film industry is also prevelant in the city. The city's production centers have helped create Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit trilogies, Avatar, Tin Tin, and District 9.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.
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Vientiane Prices
Laos PricesWellington Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $24Wellington $124
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $24, while the average daily cost in Wellington is $124. 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 Wellington in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $8.45Wellington $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $17Wellington $120
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Wellington
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Wellington? 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 Wellington Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.01Wellington $12
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 Wellington
Also for Wellington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Wellington Airport (WLG) to Wellington Port: $26
- Private Transfer from Wellington Port to Wellington Airport (WLG): $26
- Wētā Workshop Guided Tour Ticket + Transfer: $57
- Private Large SUV Airport Transfers Wellington - Executive Travel: $58
- Wētā Workshop Guided Transfers & Tour: $59
- Private Airport Transfer Service Vice Versa in Wellington by SUV: $75
- WLG Airport to City Private RoundTrip Transfer: $93
- Private Transfer from Wellington hotels to Wellington Cruise Port: $106
- Wellington Airport(WLG) to Wellington-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $156
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Wellington?
Prices for flights to both Wellington 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 $12Wellington $51
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 Wellington
For Wellington, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner$8.87
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 3 Hour Walking Food Tour: $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.80Wellington $16
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 Wellington
For Wellington, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Return Cable Car Ticket: $6.95
- Wellington Zoo General Entry Tickets: $15
- Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Atlantis: $27
- Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Temple: $27
- Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Spaceship: $27
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Entry Ticket: $28
- Wētā Workshop Guided Tour Ticket: $32
- Wētā Workshop Creative Classes Experience Ticket: $32
- Wētā Workshop Experiences Tour - Wellington: $33
- Axe Throwing Lesson and Tournament: $33
- Zealandia by Day Tour: $37
- Auckland: Wētā Workshop Unleashed Creative Classes Ticket: $38
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.12Wellington $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Wellington
Also in Wellington, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wellington Craft Brewery Half-Day Guided Tour with Tastings: $99
- From Martinborough Wine Tasting Tour: $168
- Exclusive Martinborough Wine Tour: $210
- Chefs Private Martinborough wine tour with Gourmet Lunch: $391
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Wellington, we can see that Wellington 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 Wellington 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 Wellington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wellington 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 Wellington Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Wellington?
Wellington has a larger population, and is about 94% larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Wellington, 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 Wellington?
Wellington 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 Wellington in the Summer?
Both Wellington 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. Also, most visitors come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Vientiane is much warmer than Wellington. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vientiane in July average around 30°C (85°F), and Wellington averages at about 18°C (64°F)in January.
In Wellington, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Vientiane often gets less sunshine than Wellingtonin January. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 242 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually gets more rain in July than Wellingtonin January. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryVientiane 30°C (85°F)Wellington 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Wellington in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Wellington. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Wellington because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In October, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Wellingtonin April. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 28°C (83°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during autumn. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Vientiane usually receives around the same amount of rain as Wellingtonin April. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilVientiane 28°C (83°F)Wellington 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Wellington in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Wellington. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.
Vientiane is much warmer than Wellington in the winter. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Wellington fluctuates around 10°C (49°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane this time of the year. In the winter, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Wellingtonin July. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Wellington. Vientiane usually gets less rain in January than Wellingtonin July. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyVientiane 24°C (75°F)Wellington 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Wellington in the Spring?
Both Wellington 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, many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches.
The heat can be very extreme in Vientiane. In the spring, Vientiane is much warmer than Wellington. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vientiane in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Wellington averages at about 13°C (55°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during spring. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin October. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberVientiane 31°C (88°F)Wellington 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Wellington and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Wellington | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 69 mm (2.7 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.