Which place is cheaper, Vientiane or Chiang Mai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai 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: Chiang Mai or Vientiane?
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is both the cultural center of northern Thailand and a launching point for trips into the rural areas, small towns, and lush jungles of the country's northern regions. Known for great food, historic temples, arts and crafts, and a lively night market, Chiang Mai is a very popular destination for travelers. In some areas, tourists and ex-pats dominate, but it's quite easy to get away from the tourist scene and into the real culture of Thailand, as Chiang Mai (and the surrounding countryside) is quite large.
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 3-Day Tours from Bangkok, The Best 3-Day Tours from Chiang Mai, The Best G Adventures Tours to Laos, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Mai $49Vientiane $14
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Mai is $49, while the average daily cost in Vientiane is $14. 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 Chiang Mai and Vientiane in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Mai $28Vientiane $5.77
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Mai $56Vientiane $12
Compare Hotels in Chiang Mai and Vientiane
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Mai 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: Chiang Mai Hotel Prices and Vientiane Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Mai $3.94Vientiane $2.00
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Chiang Mai are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$1.19
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Moped Rental$5.33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Mai
Also for Chiang Mai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer - Chiang Mai International Airport: $4.17
- Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Private Transfer: $8.00
- Chiang Mai Private Car :Airport To Hotel transfer (one way) : $8.24
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Chiang Mai HTL-APT(CNX): $9.67
- Private Airport Transfer in Chiang Mai to/from Chiangmai Town: $9.77
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $10
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Departure Transfers: $10
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX): $11
- Chiang Mai Airport Departure – Private Transfer from Hotel to Airport: $14
- Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Departure Shared Transfer: $15
- Chiang Mai Shared Arrival or Departure Transfer: $15
- Private Arrival Transfer : Chiang Mai International Airport (SHA Plus): $16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$4.07
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:
- Vientiane - Hanoi Sleeping Bus Transfer : $63
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $29
- 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
- Private Transfer in Laos: $5.00
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Mai or Vientiane?
Prices for flights to both Vientiane and Chiang Mai 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 dayChiang Mai $11Vientiane $6.06
Typical Food Prices in Chiang Mai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Chiang Mai:
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Sit Down Dinner (for One)$5.78
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Roti Snack (Bread)$0.71
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Casual Breakfast$1.19
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.93
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Mangoes$0.89
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Coffee$1.48
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Morning Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market : $12
- Chiang Mai : Small Group Thai Cooking class with market tour: $19
- Traditional Khantoke Dinner and Show from Chiang Mai: $21
- Khantoke Dinner with Traditional Performance: $24
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai: $24
- Morning Cooking Class in Organic Garden | Chiang Mai: $24
- Afternoon Cooking Class in Organic Garden in Chiang Mai: $24
- Cooking Class, Market and Thai Herbs Garden Tour: $27
- We Cook Thai Home Garden Cooking School: $27
- Evening Cooking Class and Local Market Visit: $27
- Half-day Thai Cooking Class from scratch by an Expert Chef: $27
- Half-Day Thai Cuisine Cooking Experience in Chiang Mai : $29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vientiane
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vientiane.
- Private Tour to Buddha Park include Evening Food Tour: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Mai $14Vientiane $3.39
Typical Entertainment Prices in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Thai Cooking Class$39
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Doi Suthep Entrance Ticket$1.78
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Kratong Lessons$2.96
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Pedicure$4.45
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Chiang Mai Museum (for Two)$5.33
Tours and Activities in Chiang Mai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chiang Mai.
- Chiang Mai Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.25
- Sights & Highlights Walking tour: $6.64
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Art in Paradise Illusion Museum Entry Ticket: $12
- Mae Ping River Cruise: $13
- 3 Hour Old City and Temples Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Local Food and Markets Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Chiang Mai Michelin Food Walking Tour with Professional Tour Guide: $15
- Chiang Mai Old City & Temples Guided Walking Tour - 3 Hrs: $15
- Historical and Culture Exploration Walking Tour: $15
- Skip the Line: Chiang Mai Art in Paradise Admission Ticket: $16
- Chiang Mai Old City Twilight Walking Tour: $16
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- Explore Vientiane and Local Villages Biking Tour: $184
- From Hue: Hue to Vientiane Bus tickets: $63
- Full Day Private Tour in Vientiane with Pickup: $147
- Guided Vientiane City and Buddha Park Full-Day Tour: $81
- Half Day Private Tour in City Highlights: $120
- Half-Day Vientiane City Bike Tour: $70
- 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
- Private Vientiane Tour - Buddha Park included: $100
- Vientiane : Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $83
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Mai $7.34Vientiane $2.25
Typical Alcohol Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Chiang Mai are as follows:
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Wine$2.96
Sample the Local Flavors in Chiang Mai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Chiang Mai:
- Chiang Mai Pub Crawl: The Best Nightlife in Town!: $7.45
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Mai and Vientiane, we can see that Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai Expensive? and Is Vientiane Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Vientiane?
Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai or Vientiane?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Vientiane in the Summer?
Both Vientiane and Chiang Mai during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Chiang Mai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round.
June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai. Vientiane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in July than Vientiane. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Chiang Mai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vientiane. Chiang Mai gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 141 hours of full sun.
Chiang Mai is around the same temperature as Vientiane in the summer. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Vientiane fluctuates around 30°C (85°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyChiang Mai 30°C (86°F)Vientiane 30°C (85°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Vientiane in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Vientiane. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season. Chiang Mai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Chiang Mai usually receives more rain than Vientiane. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane this time of the year. In Chiang Mai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chiang Mai usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Vientiane during autumn. Chiang Mai gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Chiang Mai is around the same temperature as Vientiane. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chiang Mai in October average around 29°C (83°F), and Vientiane averages at about 28°C (83°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberChiang Mai 29°C (83°F)Vientiane 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Vientiane in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Vientiane. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.
Also, November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season. Chiang Mai usually gets more rain in January than Vientiane. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chiang Mai this time of the year. In the winter, Chiang Mai often gets more sunshine than Vientiane. Chiang Mai gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 254 hours of full sun.
In January, Chiang Mai is generally around the same temperature as Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 23°C (74°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryChiang Mai 23°C (74°F)Vientiane 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Vientiane in the Spring?
Both Vientiane and Chiang Mai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The rainy season in Chiang Mai is June to September. In April, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Vientiane. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Vientiane. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Vientiane during spring. Chiang Mai gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 230 hours of full sun in the spring.
The heat can be very extreme in Vientiane. It's very hot in Chiang Mai this time of the year. Chiang Mai is around the same temperature as Vientiane in the spring. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and Vientiane fluctuates around 31°C (88°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilChiang Mai 31°C (88°F)Vientiane 31°C (88°F)
Typical Weather for Vientiane and Chiang Mai
| Chiang Mai | Vientiane | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 31°C (87°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (83°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 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.