Which place is cheaper, Vientiane or Helsinki?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Helsinki 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 Helsinki 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: Helsinki or Vientiane?
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital of Finland and dates back to 1550. Helsinki is an international metropolis with a diverse population, but also a small town vibe. The city itself has a population of just over 600,000 but the metropolitan area, including Espoo and Vantaa, has a population of more than 1.3 million. There are many outdoor bars and cafes that take advantage of the warmer summer months. During this time there are long days, and the population floods into the street after a long and cold winter, so visiting during the summer is a fun and lively experience.
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 10-Day Tours in Finland, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Finland, The Best Bicycle Tours in Laos, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos.
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Helsinki Prices
Finland PricesVientiane Prices
Laos Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHelsinki €164Vientiane €20
The average daily cost (per person) in Helsinki is €164, while the average daily cost in Vientiane is €20. 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 Helsinki and Vientiane in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHelsinki €73Vientiane €7.17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHelsinki €146Vientiane €14
Compare Hotels in Helsinki and Vientiane
Looking for a hotel in Helsinki 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: Helsinki Hotel Prices and Vientiane Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Helsinki €22Vientiane €1.70
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Helsinki
Also for Helsinki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki - Arrival Private Transfer: $70
- Helsinki Hotels to West Harbour Cruise Terminal - Deparure Private Transfer: $70
- Private Transfer from Helsinki Hotels to Helsinki Cruise Terminal: $70
- Private Transfer from Helsinki Cruise Terminal to Helsinki hotels: $70
- Private Transfer from Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki Port : $70
- Helsinki West Harbour Terminal to Helsinki hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $70
- Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki - Arrival Private Transfer : $70
- Minivan Departure Transfer Helsinki City to Helsinki Airport HEL: $79
- Private VIP Transfer in Helsinki: $82
- Private VIP Transfer from or to Helsinki Airport: $84
- Helsinki Private Airport & City Transfer: $90
- Private Transfer: Helsinki City to Cruise Port by Luxury Van: $102
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride€3.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $20
- Vientiane Private Transfer: Wattay Airport -Hotel-Railway Station: $9.90
- Vientiane - Hanoi Sleeping Bus Transfer : $63
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
Is it cheaper to fly into Helsinki or Vientiane?
Prices for flights to both Vientiane and Helsinki 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 dayHelsinki €59Vientiane €10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- FOOD Tour with Roof Top Bar in Helsinki: $119
- Helsinki Food Tour: A Culinary Experience with a Local: $275
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vientiane
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vientiane.
- Vientiane classic Food tour ( Included Food ): $78
- Night Market, Dinner, and Nightclub: $90
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour and Lunch: $95
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour: $122
- Cooking Class Garden House: $335
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Helsinki €27Vientiane €3.23
Tours and Activities in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tip-based Tour of Helsinki - RED UMBRELLA - 2025: $3.61
- Tove Jansson's Helsinki Self Guided Tour: $11
- Helsinki Historical Highlights Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour : $11
- Capital of Contrasts: A Self Guided Audio Tour in Helsinki: $15
- A Finntastic Walking Tour in Helsinki: $24
- Sightseeing Cruise in Archipelago of Helsinki: $32
- Helsinki Canal Cruise: $33
- Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour: $42
- City Sightseeing Helsinki Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $42
- Helsinki Panorama Sightseeing Audio-Guided Bus Tour: $43
- Adventure Day: $48
- Explore Tallinn: Self-Guided Day Cruise from Helsinki: $49
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- Vientiane Cultural Tour with Private Guide: $110
- 1-Day Tour to Vang Vieng with Private Guide: $200
- 1-Day Vientiane City Adventure: Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $110
- From Plain of Jars Tour & Homestay: $1,650
- From Vang Vieng 2-Day Tour with Blue Lagoon: $354
- From Vang Vieng Tour with Cave Kayak & Zipline: $113
- Guided Vientiane City and Buddha Park Full-Day Tour: $99
- Half Day Private Tour in City Highlights: $120
- Half-Day Vientiane City Bike Tour: $90
- Lao Arts Museum & City Highlights Tour with Lunch: $122
- Laos Railway Tickets Easily: Avoid Long Queues & Wasted Time: $30
- Laos Railway Tickets Online: Skip Long Queues, Avoid Missing: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHelsinki €16Vientiane €1.80
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Helsinki and Vientiane, we can see that Helsinki is more expensive. And not only is Vientiane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Helsinki 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 Helsinki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Helsinki 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 Helsinki Expensive? and Is Vientiane Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Vientiane?
Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki 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 Helsinki or Vientiane?
Helsinki 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 Helsinki or Vientiane in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Vientiane. Most visitors come to Helsinki for the family-friendly experiences during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.
In July, Helsinki is generally much colder than Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 17°C (62°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 30°C (85°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Helsinki this time of the year. In the summer, Helsinki often gets more sunshine than Vientiane. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 141 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Vientiane. Helsinki usually gets less rain in July than Vientiane. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHelsinki 17°C (62°F)Vientiane 30°C (85°F)
Should I visit Helsinki or Vientiane in the Autumn?
Both Vientiane and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Helsinki is much colder than Vientiane in the autumn. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Vientiane fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
It's quite sunny in Vientiane. Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Vientiane during autumn. Helsinki gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Vientiane. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHelsinki 6°C (42°F)Vientiane 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Helsinki or Vientiane in the Winter?
Both Vientiane and Helsinki during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Helsinki this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round.
It's quite cold in Helsinki in the winter. In the winter, Helsinki is much colder than Vientiane. Typically, the winter temperatures in Helsinki in January average around -6°C (21°F), and Vientiane averages at about 24°C (75°F).
In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Vientiane. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 254 hours of full sun.
Helsinki usually gets more rain in January than Vientiane. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHelsinki -6°C (21°F)Vientiane 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Helsinki or Vientiane in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and Vientiane. Many travelers come to Helsinki for the natural beauty. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Helsinki. It's very hot in Vientiane this time of the year. In April, Helsinki is generally much colder than Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 3°C (37°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 31°C (88°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane this time of the year. Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Vientiane during spring. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 230 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Vientiane. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHelsinki 3°C (37°F)Vientiane 31°C (88°F)
Typical Weather for Vientiane and Helsinki
| Helsinki | Vientiane | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -6°C (21°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (27°F) | 34 mm (1.4 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (60°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (51°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (33°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | -4°C (26°F) | 58 mm (2.3 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.