How much does it cost to travel to Vientiane?
You should plan to spend around $15 (₭319,802) per day on your vacation in Vientiane. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $6.41 (₭133,954) on meals
- $2.11 (₭44,168) on local transportation
- $12 (₭255,092) on hotels
A one week trip to Vientiane for two people costs, on average, $214 (₭4,477,231). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Vientiane has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Vientiane expensive to visit?
Vientiane is a very affordable place to visit. Located in Laos, which is a very affordable country, visitors will appreciate the lower prices of this destination. It is in the top 10% of cities in the country for its overall travel expenses. Budget travelers enjoy spending long periods of time exploring Vientiane in depth.
Within Asia, Vientiane is a very affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 10% of cities in Asia for its affordability. Very few cities in the region are as affordable as Vientiane.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Vientiane Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Vientiane?
The average Vientiane trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Vientiane travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
Category
|
Cost
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
₭255,092
($12)
|
Local Transportation 1
|
₭44,168
($2)
|
Food 2
|
₭133,954
($6)
|
Entertainment 1
|
₭75,068
($4)
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
₭2,887 -
8,662
($0 - 0)
|
Alcohol 2
|
₭24,907 -
74,722
($1 - 4)
|
Accommodation Budget in Vientiane
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Vientiane is $6.10 (₭127,546). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Vientiane is $12 (₭255,092). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Vientiane
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Vientiane is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $2.11 (₭44,168) per person, per day, on local transportation in Vientiane.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$2.11
₭44,168
How much does it cost to go to Vientiane? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Vientiane will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Typical prices for Transportation in Vientiane are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Vientiane, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Food Budget in Vientiane
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Vientiane can vary, the average cost of food in Vientiane is $6.41 (₭133,954) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Vientiane should cost around $2.56 (₭53,582) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Vientiane is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$6.41
₭133,954
Entertainment Budget in Vientiane
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Vientiane typically cost an average of $3.59 (₭75,068) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$3.59
₭75,068
Tips and Handouts Budget in Vientiane
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Vientiane is $0.28 (₭5,774) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Vientiane is 5% - 15%.
-
Tips and Handouts1
For guides or service providers
$0.28
₭5,774
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Alcohol Budget in Vientiane
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $2.38 (₭49,814) on alcoholic beverages in Vientiane per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$2.38
₭49,814
Water Budget in Vientiane
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $0.32 (₭6,623) on bottled water in Vientiane per day. The public water in Vientiane is not usually considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$0.32
₭6,623
Vientiane On a Budget
Vientiane, Laos
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.
Sights
It's easy to be swept up in the beauty of Vientiane. It's all right out in the open for you to fall in love with – tour the temples, stroll the river, sip on a relaxing, adult beverage and completely unwind.
If you do feel the need to cross some things off the sightseeing list, you can pop inside any of the gorgeous temples this city has to offer. The Pha That Luang is a nice place to start since it's the national symbol of Laos and is the most important religious monument in the country.
It's the most important, but not the only one worth visiting. The Wat Si Saket has hundreds of nooks and crannies holding Buddhist images of all sizes and materials. The many interpretations of Buddha can have you browsing all afternoon.
If you're more interested in local history and culture you can always spend a day strolling the exhibits in the Lao National Museum, but if the world of folklore is more your style take a trip to the Black Stupa. As the mythical home to the seven headed dragon protector of Vientiane, it's full of magic and mysticism.
For a stunning view of central Vientiane, climb the seven stories to the top of the Patuxia – the Lao version of the Acr de Triomphe. It is embellished with art of the Buddha and is home to a famous musical fountain and a World Peace gong from Indonesia.
Neighborhoods
Chanthabuli is the central area which is home to the government buildings, wats, plus many hotels and restaurants. Most visitors tend to stay in this general area, as it contains all needed amenities.
Activities
So kicking back and taking in temples is just too low-key for you. That's great. There's plenty of adventures to be had in Vientiane. Pop in to the Green Discovery Laos to start any and all journeys from motorcycling, bicycling, kayaking, cave expeditions and even zip-lining. Not only will they set you up with reputable and safe vendors, but Green Discovery Laos is completely committed to ensuring all locals benefit from the booming tourism industry.
If you can't sit still, but are not up for major adventures, a picnic along the Shore of Nam Ngum is right up your alley. The entire shore is lined with floating restaurants serving fresh fish straight from the lake. It's sure to be a dinner experience that you've never had before.
Food and Dining
Vientiane covers the wants and needs of just about every tourist and traveler – including the morning food market's samples of cricket and other creepy-crawler treats.
While you can find anything from Chinese to Tex-Mex in Vientiane, for authentic Lao cuisine, you'll want to find a noodle shop serving rice noodle soups. Many of them also have fried rice and other noodle- based meals.
Transportation
While getting around Vientiane is easer than most other Southeast Asian cities, there still aren't many street signs. Plus, the few that do exist are in Lao or French.
Bicycling is probably the easiest way to get around the city. It's relatively safe given that traffic is often quite slow, and most rental services are available straight through your hotel.
The city center is walkable, but not if you plan on leaving the city center – that's quite a trek. Also, be cautious when crossing streets. While "pedestrian crossing signs are posted, many drivers don't pay attention to them. And before you go strolling the sidewalks, keep in mind that rainwater drainage system of the city (including water for laundry, baths and dishes) flows along the sidewalks beneath concrete slabs that are typically not very secure. So watch your step so you don't get ankle-deep in someone's bath water!
Taxis are available in the city, but you better be prepared to bring out your best haggling game. The prices of taxis are negotiated, and many will claim they are giving you a better rate than a tuk-tuk even though they probably aren't.
A tuk-tuk in Vientiane is not the same as in Bangkok. Here they are considered public transportation so don't be surprised if you negotiate a fare and the driver picks up more riders along the way to your destination. If you have a big group that will fill a tuk-tuk it may be a reasonably priced way to get around – but don't try to use one on your own.
There is also a bus system running throughout the city, but none of the signs are in English and are rarely displayed on the front of the bus.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.