Which place is cheaper, Vientiane or Bucharest?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bucharest or Vientiane?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bucharest and Vientiane. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Bucharest or Vientiane?
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital and largest city in the country of Romania. With about 2 million residents living in the city and about 2.4 million in the surrounding urban area, it is also one of the largest cities in Southeastern Europe. As such, it is the economic, industrial and commercial center for the country. As a visitor, you will likely enter Romania by arriving in Bucharest. The city continues to grow and change, and there are ongoing infrastructure projects that continue to modernize the city. It is not uncommon to find historic churches on the same block as modern office buildings and Communist style apartment buildings. There are also many sights around town and the city continues to grow as a trendy and fascinating city.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBucharest $139Vientiane $15
The average daily cost (per person) in Bucharest is $139, 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 Bucharest and Vientiane in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBucharest $63Vientiane $6.00
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBucharest $126Vientiane $12
Compare Hotels in Bucharest and Vientiane
Looking for a hotel in Bucharest 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: Bucharest Hotel Prices and Vientiane Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bucharest $26Vientiane $2.08
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:
- Therme Bucharest Express Shuttle Transfer: $7.68
- Bucharest Airport Transfer: $11
- Bucuresti: Transfer Therme Bucuresti different hours: $12
- Therme Bucuresti Transfer with Optional Ticket: $13
- Bucharest Transfer Service: $17
- Airport Transfer - Bucharest Otopeni Henri Coandă Airport : $18
- Bucharest Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Tecuci: $22
- Airport Transfer: $22
- Bucharest Private Airport Transfer from or to City Center Hotel: $22
- Private Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP) Transfer: $22
- Bucharest Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Barlad: $24
- Bucharest Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Vaslui OMV: $26
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$4.23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:
- Private Transfer in Laos: $5.00
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Vientiane Airport Transfer: Wattay airport to hotel - Private transfer: $15
- Vientiane Private Airport and Hotel Transfers: $9.00
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Bucharest or Vientiane?
Prices for flights to both Vientiane and Bucharest 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 dayBucharest $59Vientiane $6.30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bucharest.
- Dinner at the Museum of Communism - Traditional Food Tour: $54
- Bohemian Bucharest Markets and Mahallas Traditional Food Tour: $60
- Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner: $64
- Cooking Class traditional food: $66
- Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $74
- Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner - 3 hours: $87
- Private Walking Food Tour - Culture, History & Traditions: $99
- Discover Private Highlights and Traditional Food Tour: $109
- Private Bucharest Food Tour with a Local Foodie: $116
- Historical and Cultural Tour with Romanian Cuisine dinner: $142
- 4-Hour Walking Food Tour in the Old Town: $203
- Bucharest City Tour & Traditional Home-made Cooking Experience: $229
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bucharest $15Vientiane $3.53
Tours and Activities in Bucharest
Here are a few actual costs in Bucharest for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Buchaest: Peles Castle, Bran Castle, & Brasov Old Town Tour: $5.37
- Reptiland Bucharest Entry Ticket: $13
- A Tale of Bucharest Old Town Walking Tour: $16
- Communism Walking Tour from Lenin to Ceausescu in Bucharest: $16
- City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $17
- Bucharest Highlights Walking Tour: $18
- Parliament Palace Skip-the-line Ticket: $20
- Palace of Parliament Bucharest 1 Hour Guided Tour: $21
- Virtual Reality Experience: $21
- Calea Victoriei and Old Town Highlights Tour: $22
- Guided Tour at museum Casa Storck: $22
- 2-Hour Private Walking Tour in Bucharest: $22
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- Vientiane ATV and Canopy Walking Experience: $48
- Vientiane Sky Luge and Roller Zipline Experience: $55
- From Hue: Hue to Vientiane Bus tickets: $61
- Half-Day Vientiane City Bike Tour: $67
- Vientiane Half-Day City Tour: $69
- Guided Vientiane City and Buddha Park Full-Day Tour: $81
- Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide in Vientiane: $82
- Vientiane City Day Tour and Buddha Park Visit with Lunch: $88
- 2 Days Private Tour in Vientiane and Vang Vieng: $90
- Private Vientiane Tour - include Buddha Park: $100
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBucharest $9.28Vientiane $2.34
Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest
Also in Bucharest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Weekend Pub Crawl: $24
- Bucharest Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $25
- From Romanian Wine Tasting Tour: $26
- Bachelors Party in Custom Bar Crawl: $38
- Private Bar Crawling in Bucharest Old City: $43
- Private Wine Tasting Experience: $43
- Pub Crawl in the Old CIty and Rooftop Hopping in Bucharest: $47
- Private Romanian Wine Tasting in Urlați: $52
- Guided Pub Crawl in Bucharest: $56
- Bucharest Old Town Pub and Bar Crawl with Guide: $57
- Bucharest VIP Bar Crawl in Lipscani 'Old Town': $59
- Bucharest City Tour and Wine Tasting: $85
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bucharest and Vientiane, we can see that Bucharest is more expensive. And not only is Vientiane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bucharest is in Europe 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 Bucharest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bucharest 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 Bucharest Expensive? and Is Vientiane Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Vientiane?
Bucharest has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest 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.
When is the best time to visit Bucharest or Vientiane?
Bucharest 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 Bucharest or Vientiane in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Vientiane. Many visitors come to Bucharest in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Bucharest is generally cooler than Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 23°C (73°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 30°C (85°F).
In Bucharest, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bucharest usually receives more sunshine than Vientiane during summer. Bucharest gets 289 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 141 hours of full sun in the summer.
Vientiane receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Vientiane. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBucharest 23°C (73°F)Vientiane 30°C (85°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Vientiane in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Vientiane. Most visitors come to Bucharest for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.
Bucharest is much colder than Vientiane in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Vientiane fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. In the autumn, Bucharest often gets less sunshine than Vientiane. Bucharest gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 222 hours of full sun.
Bucharest usually gets less rain in October than Vientiane. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBucharest 13°C (55°F)Vientiane 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Vientiane in the Winter?
Both Vientiane and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Bucharest because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The weather in Bucharest can be very cold. In the winter, Bucharest is much colder than Vientiane. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bucharest in January average around -1°C (29°F), and Vientiane averages at about 24°C (75°F).
It's quite sunny in Vientiane. Bucharest usually receives less sunshine than Vientiane during winter. Bucharest gets 71 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Bucharest usually receives more rain than Vientiane. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBucharest -1°C (29°F)Vientiane 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Vientiane in the Spring?
Both Vientiane and Bucharest during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Bucharest this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round.
It's very hot in Vientiane this time of the year. In April, Bucharest is generally much colder than Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 12°C (54°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 31°C (88°F).
In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Bucharest often gets less sunshine than Vientiane. Bucharest gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 230 hours of full sun.
Bucharest usually gets less rain in April than Vientiane. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBucharest 12°C (54°F)Vientiane 31°C (88°F)
Typical Weather for Vientiane and Bucharest
| Bucharest | Vientiane | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -1°C (29°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (44°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (34°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.