Which place is cheaper, Vang Vieng or Arusha?
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 Arusha or Vang Vieng?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Arusha and Vang Vieng can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Arusha or Vang Vieng?
Arusha
Arusha is a city in East Africa's Tanzania, located at the base of volcanic Mt. Meru. It’s a gateway to safari destinations and to Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, lying some 100 kilometers northeast. To the west lies Serengeti National Park, home to wildlife including lions, rhinoceros, giraffes and leopards. Annual migrations feature huge herds of wildebeests crossing its plains. Arusha is Tanzania’s gateway to the northern circuit of stellar national parks and the starting point of many a memorable safari. It’s also a large, sprawling city which offers a nice break from the rigors of life on the African road – it has excellent places to stay and eat and, for the most part, it’s lush and green and enjoys a temperate climate throughout the year. Arusha is a great destination, and you're sure to enjoy your time here, no matter what your interests are.
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 G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, and The Best Budget Tours to Laos.
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Arusha Prices
Tanzania PricesVang Vieng Prices
Laos Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayArusha $189Vang Vieng $18
The average daily cost (per person) in Arusha is $189, while the average daily cost in Vang Vieng is $18. 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 Arusha and Vang Vieng in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personArusha $126Vang Vieng $4.17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomArusha $252Vang Vieng $8.34
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Vang Vieng
Looking for a hotel in Arusha 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: Arusha Hotel Prices and Vang Vieng Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Arusha $13Vang Vieng $3.06
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha
Also for Arusha, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Moshi - Arusha Transfer: $130
- Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha City Private Transfer: $120
- Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha City Center Transfer: $60
- Kilimanjaro Airport and Arusha Private Transfer: $59
- Arusha Airport and Hotel Transfer: $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vang Vieng
Also for Vang Vieng, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Vang Vieng Private Transfer: Hotel - Railway Station - Vientiane: $11
Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Vang Vieng?
Prices for flights to both Vang Vieng and Arusha 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 dayArusha $40Vang Vieng $11
Typical Food Prices in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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A Quick Lunch (for 2)$2.09
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- NGO Lifted Strong - Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class: $50
- Local Tanzanian Food Cooking Class by Kingstone Asilia (Arusha): $55
- Homestay + Cooking + Animal Care + Fruit Harvesting + Much More: $194
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Arusha $44Vang Vieng $4.68
Tours and Activities in Arusha
For Arusha, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Trip to Serval Wildlife Sanctuary and Maasai village tour: $300
- 1 Day trip to Materuni Waterfalls & Coffee Tour: $127
- 1 day trip Materuni Waterfall, Village & Coffee Walking Tour: $127
- 1-Day Materuni Waterfalls, Coffee Tour and Chemka Hot Spring: $100
- 2 Day Mount Meru Private Camping Tour from Arusha: $280
- 4 Hours Cycling Tour in Shimo La Mungu Crater: $50
- A Day at Materuni Waterfalls and Coffee Tour in Mt Kilimanjaro: $160
- Amazing Lake Duluti Day Trip Experience: $120
- Arusha A Walking City Tour Museum Culture and Everyday Life: $60
- Arusha African Shopping Tour: $100
- Arusha City Tour: Where Continents Collide & Cultures Dance: $30
- Arusha Full Day Tour to Waterfall and Coffee Tour: $140
Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.
- 1 Day Guided Tour in Cave from Vang Vieng: $175
- BBQ Lunch Cruise on Nam Ngum Lake: $50
- Get Your Laos–China Train Ticket Fast – No Waiting, No Worries: $30
- Laos: Jungle Zipline and Caving Tour: $58
- Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour in Vang Vieng: $180
- Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike and Blue Lagoon Tour: $79
- One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng: $50
- Paramotor Experience in Vang Vieng Laos: $165
- Ultimate Kayak, Zipline and Tube Adventure in Vang Vieng: $113
- Vang Vieng 2 Day Shared Hot Air Balloon Tour: $269
- Vang Vieng Adventure Day Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Cave Tubing: $75
- Vang Vieng Ballooning Adventures: $260
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayArusha $10Vang Vieng $1.09
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arusha and Vang Vieng, we can see that Arusha is more expensive. And not only is Vang Vieng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Arusha is in Africa and Vang Vieng 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 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 Arusha would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arusha 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 Arusha Expensive? and Is Vang Vieng Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Arusha or Vang Vieng?
Arusha has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Arusha 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.
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.