Which place is cheaper, Vientiane or Bandung?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Bandung or Vientiane?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Bandung or Vientiane? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Bandung or Vientiane?
Bandung
Bandung is the capital city of West Java, and the third largest city in Indonesia after Jakarta and Surabaya. Nicknamed Parijs van Java (Paris of Java) by the Dutch for its resemblance to Paris and European atmosphere back in colonial times, Bandung also earned another nickname as Kota Kembang, literally meaning the Flower City since Bandung used to have a lot of flowers. Nowadays, Bandung has become a very popular weekend escape for Jakartans, who crowd the city on weekends and national holidays. It's known for colonial and art deco architecture, a lively, university-town feel and relatively cool tropical weather. Bandung is also a shopping destination, with fashion outlets clustered along Jalan Setiabudi and Jalan Riau in the Dago district. The city also make a good base for day trips to the surrounding countryside - high volcanic peaks, hot springs, and tea plantations are all within reach.
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 Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBandung $40Vientiane $15
The average daily cost (per person) in Bandung is $40, while the average daily cost in Vientiane is $15. 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 Bandung and Vientiane in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBandung $21Vientiane $6.01
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBandung $42Vientiane $12
Compare Hotels in Bandung and Vientiane
Looking for a hotel in Bandung 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: Bandung Hotel Prices and Vientiane Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bandung $5.76Vientiane $2.08
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bandung
Also for Bandung, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bandung or Lembang to Bandung Airport BDO Departure Transfer: $27
- Private Transfer from Villa Istana Bunga to Bandung Airport (BDO): $35
- Private Transfer from Malabar to Bandung Airport (BDO): $35
- Private Transfer from Cihanjuang Rahayu to Bandung Airport (BDO): $35
- Private Transfer Bandung Airport (BDO) to Kec. Batununggal Kel. Kacapiring 40271: $35
- Private Transfer from Cikole to Bandung Airport (BDO): $35
- Private Transfer Bandung Airport (BDO) to Lembang: $35
- Private Transfer from Lembang to Bandung Airport (BDO): $35
- Private Transfer Bandung Airport (BDO) to Sukabungah: $35
- Private Transfer Bandung Airport (BDO) to Sukahaji: $35
- Private Transfer from Jayagiri to Bandung Airport (BDO): $35
- Private Transfer from Sukahaji to Bandung Airport (BDO): $35
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
-
Tuk Tuk Ride$4.24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $29
- Vientiane Private Airport and Hotel Transfers: $9.00
- Vientiane Airport Transfer: Wattay airport to hotel - Private transfer: $15
- Vientiane - Hanoi Sleeping Bus Transfer : $63
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Private Transfer in Laos: $5.00
Is it cheaper to fly into Bandung or Vientiane?
Prices for flights to both Vientiane and Bandung 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 dayBandung $14Vientiane $6.32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vientiane
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vientiane.
- Private Evening Food Tour of Laos: $70
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bandung $5.67Vientiane $3.54
Tours and Activities in Bandung
For Bandung, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Walking Tour of Bandung with Guide: $33
- Stone Garden Western Tour From Bandung: $39
- Kawah Rengganis Private Hiking and Glamping Lakeside Tour from Bandung: $41
- Private Guided Sightseeing Day Tour of Bandung: $43
- Private Guided Sightseeing Day Tour of Bandung: $45
- Kawah Putih Private Tour and Angklung Performance: $45
- Kawah Putih tour - Day trip Ticket etc all including : $49
- Bogor ,west Java Tour: $50
- Bandung:Kawah Putih,Volcano,HotSpring,Mud Bathing,Lake Tour: $50
- Lembang Tour From Bandung: $51
- Kawah Putih Tour From Bandung City: $58
- Tangkuban Parahu Volcano North Bandung Private Tour : $62
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- 2 Days Private Tour in Vientiane and Vang Vieng: $90
- Explore Vientiane and Local Villages Biking Tour: $184
- From Hue: Hue to Vientiane Bus tickets: $62
- Full Day Private Tour in Vientiane with Pickup: $142
- Guided Vientiane City and Buddha Park Full-Day Tour: $81
- Half Day Private Tour in City Highlights: $120
- Half-Day Vientiane City Bike Tour: $67
- Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide in Vientiane: $82
- 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 dayBandung $3.46Vientiane $2.35
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bandung and Vientiane, we can see that Bandung 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 Bandung would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bandung 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 Bandung Expensive? and Is Vientiane Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bandung or Vientiane?
Bandung has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Bandung 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.
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.