Which place is cheaper, Vientiane or Hat Yai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hat Yai or Vientiane?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hat Yai and Vientiane 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: Hat Yai or Vientiane?
Hat Yai
The fourth largest city of Thailand, Hat Yai is a popular tourist destination, especially on weekends and holidays for people in neighboring Malaysia and Singapore. It is best known as a commercial hub and shopping destination, and for its floating market and Buddhist temple.
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 Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, 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 dayHat Yai $16Vientiane $15
The average daily cost (per person) in Hat Yai is $16, 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 Hat Yai and Vientiane in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHat Yai $5.11Vientiane $6.01
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHat Yai $10Vientiane $12
Compare Hotels in Hat Yai and Vientiane
Looking for a hotel in Hat Yai 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: Hat Yai Hotel Prices and Vientiane Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hat Yai $0.63Vientiane $2.08
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hat Yai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hat Yai:
- Transfer from Hatyai Airport to Koh Lipe: $25
- private van transfer from Hatyai Airport to Pabara Pier: $68
- Private Hatyai Airport Transfer to Pak Bara Pier by Van: $69
- Private Van transfer from Hatyai Airport to Pak Bara Pier: $73
- Private Van transfer from Hatyai City to Pak Bara Pier: $73
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:
- Private Transfer in Laos: $5.00
- Vientiane Private Airport and Hotel Transfers: $9.00
- Vientiane Airport Transfer: Wattay airport to hotel - Private transfer: $15
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $29
- Vientiane - Hanoi Sleeping Bus Transfer : $63
Is it cheaper to fly into Hat Yai or Vientiane?
Prices for flights to both Vientiane and Hat Yai 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 dayHat Yai $10Vientiane $6.32
Typical Food Prices in Hat Yai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hat Yai are as follows:
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Roti Snack$0.55
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.Hat Yai -Vientiane $3.54
Tours and Activities in Hat Yai
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hat Yai are as follows:
- One Way Speedboat and Van Ticket Koh Lipe to Hat Yai Airport: $30
- One Way Van and Speedboat Ticket Hat Yai Airport to Koh Lipe: $30
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: $62
- 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 dayHat Yai $2.52Vientiane $2.35
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hat Yai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Hat Yai:
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Beer$1.64
When comparing the travel costs between Hat Yai and Vientiane, we can see that Hat Yai is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hat Yai Expensive? and Is Vientiane Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hat Yai or Vientiane?
Vientiane has a larger population, and is about 3% larger than the population of Hat Yai. When comparing the sizes of Hat Yai 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 Hat Yai or Vientiane?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Hat Yai or Vientiane in the Summer?
Both Vientiane and Hat Yai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hat Yai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. It's quite rainy in Hat Yai. In July, Hat Yai usually receives less rain than Vientiane. Hat Yai gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. Hat Yai usually receives more sunshine than Vientiane during summer. Hat Yai gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 141 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Hat Yai is around the same temperature as Vientiane. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hat Yai in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Vientiane averages at about 30°C (85°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHat Yai 29°C (83°F)Vientiane 30°C (85°F)
Should I visit Hat Yai or Vientiane in the Autumn?
Both Vientiane and Hat Yai during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hat Yai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round.
May to December is the rainy season in Hat Yai. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. Hat Yai usually gets more rain in October than Vientiane. Hat Yai gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Hat Yai often gets less sunshine than Vientiane. Hat Yai gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 222 hours of full sun.
In October, Hat Yai is generally around the same temperature as Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Hat Yai average around 28°C (82°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHat Yai 28°C (82°F)Vientiane 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Hat Yai or Vientiane in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hat Yai and Vientiane. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hat Yai year-round. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
January to April in Hat Yai is the dry season. Hat Yai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Hat Yai usually receives more rain than Vientiane. Hat Yai gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane this time of the year. In Hat Yai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hat Yai usually receives less sunshine than Vientiane during winter. Hat Yai gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.
Hat Yai is a little warmer than Vientiane in the winter. The daily temperature in Hat Yai averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Vientiane fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHat Yai 28°C (82°F)Vientiane 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Hat Yai or Vientiane in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Hat Yai as well as Vientiane. Hat Yai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.
Also, January to April in Hat Yai is the dry season. May to December in Hat Yai is the rainy season. Hat Yai usually gets less rain in April than Vientiane. Hat Yai gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 85 mm (3.3 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 Hat Yai this time of the year. In the spring, Hat Yai often gets more sunshine than Vientiane. Hat Yai gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 230 hours of full sun.
Vientiane can become quite hot in the spring. In the spring, Hat Yai is around the same temperature as Vientiane. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hat Yai in April average around 30°C (85°F), and Vientiane averages at about 31°C (88°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHat Yai 30°C (85°F)Vientiane 31°C (88°F)
Typical Weather for Vientiane and Hat Yai
| Hat Yai | Vientiane | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 30°C (85°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 588 mm (23.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 404 mm (15.9 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.