Which place is cheaper, Vientiane or Dubai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dubai or Vientiane?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dubai and Vientiane can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dubai or Vientiane?
Dubai
Ever wonder what it would be like to see the lifestyles of the rich and famous up close. There's no more upscale destination than Dubai. It's by far and away the spot for shopping, partying, sunbathing, fine dining and the most luxurious of luxury. As the most modern and progressive of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates, this area has experienced an unbelievable economic boom and tourism spike. It's a desert city with an amazing infrastructure.
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 Dubai, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates, 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 dayDubai $248Vientiane $15
The average daily cost (per person) in Dubai is $248, 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 Dubai and Vientiane in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDubai $170Vientiane $6.01
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDubai $340Vientiane $12
Compare Hotels in Dubai and Vientiane
Looking for a hotel in Dubai 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: Dubai Hotel Prices and Vientiane Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dubai $13Vientiane $2.08
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubai:
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Taxi Ride$12
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Airport Taxi$12
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Sea Taxi$0.54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubai
Also for Dubai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Global Village Dubai Skip the Line Tickets with Transfer Option: $9.15
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): Transfer to/from Dubai Al Jafiliya: $9.53
- Global Village Dubai Ticket with Optional transfer: $10
- Global Village Dubai Tickets with Transfers Option: $11
- Private Dubai Airport Transfer DXB to Anywhere in Dubai: $13
- Shared Transfers from Dubai Hotels to Aquaventure/Lost Chamber: $18
- Sharing Transfers from Dubai Hotels to Dubai Mall (Burj Khalifa, VR Parks, DAUZ): $18
- Dubai Frame Ticket with Optional Transfer: $19
- Airport Transfers to/from all Terminals: $19
- Dubai Global Village All Days Ticket With Shared Transfer: $20
- Dubai Frame Entry Ticket With Optional Transfer: $20
- Dubai Frame Admission Ticket with Transfer Option: $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$4.24
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 Dubai or Vientiane?
Prices for flights to both Vientiane and Dubai 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 dayDubai $56Vientiane $6.32
Typical Food Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:
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French bread$0.95
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Sumo salad in Dubai Mall + Juice$10
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Lemon Mint Tea$4.36
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Coffee & Cake$6.54
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Smoothie$5.45
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Shawarma$1.91
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dhow Cruise Dinner Dubai Creek with Buffet Dinner: $14
- Dhow Dinner Cruise with International Buffet in Dubai: $14
- Dubai:Desert Safari BBQ dinner, Dune bashing,Camel&Sandboarding: $14
- Scenic Dhow Cruise with Buffet Dinner and Live Shows: $14
- 2-Hour Evening Dhow Cruise and Dinner: $15
- Romantic Sightseeing Dhow Cruise Dinner: $15
- Romantic Dhow Cruise Dinner in Dubai Creek: $17
- Dubai Creek Dhow Cruise Dinner: $18
- Desert Safari with Dinner and Live Show: $18
- Dhow Dinner Cruise with International Buffet: $18
- Romantic Dhow Cruise Dinner: $19
- Dhow Cruise Dinner Creek: $19
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.Dubai $19Vientiane $3.54
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Visit to the Dubai Museum$0.82
Tours and Activities in Dubai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubai.
- Tourist eSIM/SIM Card with Data and Minutes: $2.49
- Dubai Guided Old Town Tour, Abra Boat, Gold & Spice Souk: $4.63
- Ticket to Muséum of the futuré: $5.30
- Global Village Entry Ticket: $6.13
- Burj Khalifa, Dubai Hidden Gems - Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $6.34
- 4G Data Roaming eSIM Card for Tourists: $7.22
- Small-Group Premium Old Town, Souk, & Abra Boat Tour: $7.62
- Old Town Walking Tour with Souks, Abra Ride & Snacks: $8.00
- Old Walking tour with Boat ride, Souks and Museums: $8.17
- Old Dubai, Walking Tour, Souk Shopping, and Abra Ride: $8.85
- Pearl Merchants and Palm Trees: A Self-Guided Tour of Sharjah: $8.99
- Dubai Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDubai $23Vientiane $2.35
Typical Alcohol Prices in Dubai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:
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A Couple Drinks$25
Sample the Local Flavors in Dubai
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubai:
- Pub Crawl Nightlife Tours: $66
- Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour: $67
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubai and Vientiane, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Vientiane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai is in Middle East 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 Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai 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 Dubai Expensive? and Is Vientiane Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dubai or Vientiane?
Dubai has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Dubai 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 Dubai 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 Dubai or Vientiane in the Summer?
Both Vientiane and Dubai during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dubai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round.
June to August is the dry season in Dubai. Vientiane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dubai usually gets less rain in July than Vientiane. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
The heat can be very extreme in Dubai. In the summer, Dubai is a little warmer than Vientiane. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dubai in July average around 35°C (95°F), and Vientiane averages at about 30°C (85°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDubai 35°C (95°F)Vientiane 30°C (85°F)
Should I visit Dubai or Vientiane in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Vientiane. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Dubai usually receives less rain than Vientiane. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Dubai is generally around the same temperature as Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 29°C (84°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDubai 29°C (84°F)Vientiane 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Dubai or Vientiane in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Vientiane. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.
January to March in Dubai is the rainy season. Dubai usually gets more rain in January than Vientiane. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Dubai is cooler than Vientiane in the winter. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 19°C (66°F) in January, and Vientiane fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDubai 19°C (66°F)Vientiane 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Dubai or Vientiane in the Spring?
Both Vientiane and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Dubai is June to August. In April, Dubai usually receives less rain than Vientiane. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Vientiane can become quite hot in the spring. In the spring, Dubai is cooler than Vientiane. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dubai in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Vientiane averages at about 31°C (88°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDubai 26°C (79°F)Vientiane 31°C (88°F)
Typical Weather for Vientiane and Dubai
| Dubai | Vientiane | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°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.