Which place is cheaper, Xiamen 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 Xiamen?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Xiamen, 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 Xiamen?
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.
Xiamen
Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.
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Vientiane Prices
Laos PricesXiamen Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $24Xiamen $84
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $24, while the average daily cost in Xiamen is $84. 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 Xiamen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $8.45Xiamen $31
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $17Xiamen $62
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Xiamen
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Xiamen? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.01Xiamen $6.08
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 Xiamen
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Gaoqi Airport to Xiamen City Hotel: $10
- Private Transfer from Xiamen North Railway Station to City Area: $19
- Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Xiamen Airport Transfer: $25
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Departure Transfer from City Areas: $33
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster : $89
- Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and HongKeng Hakka Tulou Cluster: $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hui'an county in Quanzhou: $89
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng and HekengHakka Tulou fromXiamen: $90
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Xiamen?
Prices for flights to both Xiamen 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 $12Xiamen $46
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 $3.80Xiamen $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 Xiamen
For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Sailing & Sea Experience.: $22
- Quanzhou Kaiyuan Temple & Luoyang Bridge Tour: $70
- Xiamen Private English Tour Guide Service: $93
- Xiamen Private Half Day Tour of Gulangyu Island and Shuzhuang Garden: $97
- A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Local Food Market Experience: $103
- 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $115
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
- Shanghai Metro Tour: $127
- Xiamen Layover Day Tour-Gulangyu,Shuzhuang Garden And Piano Museum: $132
- Xiamen Half-Day Private Tour include Gulang Yu Island and Garden : $135
- Tour Guide and Car: Private Day Tour to Yunshuiyao Ancient Village from Xiamen: $140
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.12Xiamen $17
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Xiamen, we can see that Xiamen 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 Xiamen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Xiamen 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 Xiamen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Xiamen?
Xiamen has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Xiamen, 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 Xiamen?
Xiamen 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 Xiamen in the Summer?
Both Xiamen 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 July, Vientiane is generally around the same temperature as Xiamen. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 30°C (85°F), and Xiamen fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
Xiamen 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 Xiamen. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Xiamen 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Xiamen in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Xiamen. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round.
Vientiane is a little warmer than Xiamen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Xiamen fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
In October, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Xiamen. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Xiamen 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Xiamen in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Xiamen. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, Vientiane is much warmer than Xiamen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vientiane in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Xiamen averages at about 14°C (58°F).
Vientiane usually gets less rain in January than Xiamen. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Xiamen 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Xiamen in the Spring?
Both Xiamen and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.
Vientiane can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Xiamen. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 31°C (88°F), and Xiamen fluctuates around 20°C (69°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Xiamen. In April, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Xiamen. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Xiamen 20°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Xiamen and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Xiamen | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 25 mm (1 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.