Should I Visit Addis Ababa or Vientiane for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive?

Should you visit Addis Ababa or Vientiane?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Addis Ababa or Vientiane, 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: Addis Ababa or Vientiane?

Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia and also the nation's largest when ranked by its population of over three million. There are also more than 120 international missions and embassies in Addis Ababa, making the city a hub for international diplomacy concerning Africa. Other draws include its thriving marketplaces, spicy food, and rich coffee.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Laos, and The Best Adventure Tours to Laos.

Which place is cheaper, Vientiane or Addis Ababa?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

Addis Ababa Prices
Ethiopia Prices

Vientiane Prices
Laos Prices
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

Addis Ababa $36

Vientiane $19

The average daily cost (per person) in Addis Ababa is $36, while the average daily cost in Vientiane 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 Addis Ababa and Vientiane in more detail.

Accommodation

Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person

Addis Ababa $20

Vientiane $5.82
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room

Addis Ababa $40

Vientiane $12

Compare Hotels in Addis Ababa and Vientiane

Looking for a hotel in Addis Ababa or Vientiane? 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: Addis Ababa Hotel Prices and Vientiane Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation

Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

Addis Ababa $3.53

Vientiane $2.02

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Addis Ababa are as follows:

Short Taxi Ride

$0.24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa

Also for Addis Ababa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

Addis Ababa Airport transfer and shuttle service(privet): $15
Addis Ababa Airport pickup and Transfer: $19
Transfer Services Addis Abeba Airport : $23
City and Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa: $35
City/Airport Transfers-Addis Ababa: $35
City/Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa - Shuttles: $36
Addis Ababa Airport in/out transfer: $49
Addis Ababa Private Airport-Hotel Transfer: $82
Lalibela Full Day Tour with Guide and Transfer: $130
Private Transfer from Bole Airport Addis Ababa (ADD) to Addis Ababa: $135
4 Hours Addis Airport Transfer with Ethiopian Cultural Tour: $299

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:

Tuk Tuk Ride

$4.11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:

Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
Vientiane Private Transfer: Wattay Airport -Hotel-Railway Station: $15
Private Transfer in Laos: $5.00

Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or Vientiane?

Prices for flights to both Vientiane and Addis Ababa 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

Addis Ababa $14

Vientiane $11

Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Addis Ababa:

Slice of Cake

$0.06

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Addis Ababa

For Addis Ababa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

Food tour in Addis Ababa with airport pick-up.: $56
Ethiopian cooking class: $61
Local Ethiopian Food Tour Addis Ababa: $62
Ethiopian Cultural Dinner in Addis Ababa with LIVE Traditional Dance Show: $77
Private City Tour with Folkloric Dinner: $80
Yod Abyssinia Cultural Night: Dinner, Music, and Dance: $81
Addis Ababa Private City Tour with Immersive Cooking Class Lunch: $85
Addis abeba Full Cooking class.: $90
Cooking class in Addis Ababa: $95
Local Ethiopian Food Tour: $100
Unique Ethiopian Cooking Class and Coffee Ceremony with a Local in Addis Ababa: $116
Food tours in Addis Ababa tastever with lunch: $120

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
Private Evening Food Tour : $100
Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour: $122

Entertainment

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

Addis Ababa $3.65

Vientiane $3.43

Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Addis Ababa.

Layover in Addis Ababa 5 hours tour: $36
Addis Ababa city tour.: $49
Pup crawl and nightlife tour in Addis Ababa.: $50
Best of Merkato Addis Guided Tour: $50
Guided City Tour: $52
Addis Ababa highlight city tour: $54
Authentic Addis Ababa City Tour with a Local Guide: $55
4 Hour Addis Cuisine Tasting Tour: $59
Ethiopia Half-Day Market Food & Coffee Ceremony Tours: $60
Limalimo ethiopia tours: Full-Day Addis Ababa City Tour: $60
City Highlights and Market Tour: $60
Layover Tour with National Museum & Mercato: $60

Tours and Activities in Vientiane

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:

1-Day Vientiane City Adventure: Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $110
Explore Vientiane and Local Villages Biking Tour: $184
From Hue: Hue to Vientiane Bus tickets: $51
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
Laos Railway Tickets Easily: Avoid Long Queues & Wasted Time: $30
Private Tour Vientiane - VangVieng by Express Train : $190
Private Tour: Full-day Cycling The City Streets Vientiane with Buddha Park: $174
Private Tour: Full-day Vientiane's Must-See Sights and River Sunset with Lunch: $101
Private Tour: Half-day City Guided Tour of Vientiane: $113
Private Tour: Vientiane City Tour Full Day with Buddha Park: $145

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

Addis Ababa $3.01

Vientiane $2.27

Sample the Local Flavors in Addis Ababa

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Addis Ababa:

Pub-crawl Tour ( locally crafted beer and wine tasting ): $52
Night Tour Addis Ababa beer and wine tasting: $65

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Addis Ababa and Vientiane, we can see that Addis Ababa is more expensive. And not only is Vientiane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Addis Ababa is in Africa and Vientiane is in Asia, 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 Addis Ababa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Addis Ababa 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 Addis Ababa Expensive? and Is Vientiane Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Vientiane?

Addis Ababa has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Addis Ababa and Vientiane, 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.

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

Should you visit Addis Ababa or Vientiane?

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

Where Should I go: Addis Ababa or Vientiane?

Addis Ababa

Vientiane

Which place is cheaper, Vientiane or Addis Ababa?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Addis Ababa and Vientiane

Local Transportation

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane

Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or Vientiane?

Food

Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Addis Ababa

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vientiane

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa

Tours and Activities in Vientiane

Alcohol

Sample the Local Flavors in Addis Ababa

Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Vientiane?

Related Articles for Vientiane

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

Should you visit Addis Ababa or Vientiane?

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

Where Should I go: Addis Ababa or Vientiane?

Addis Ababa

Vientiane

Which place is cheaper, Vientiane or Addis Ababa?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Addis Ababa and Vientiane

Local Transportation

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane

Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or Vientiane?

Food

Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Addis Ababa

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vientiane

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa

Tours and Activities in Vientiane

Alcohol

Sample the Local Flavors in Addis Ababa

Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Vientiane?

Related Articles for Vientiane

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