Which place is cheaper, Vientiane or Jakarta?
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 Jakarta 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 Jakarta 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: Jakarta or Vientiane?
Jakarta
As Indonesia's capital and largest city, Jakarta rests on the northwest coast of the island of Java. It is the country's economic, cultural, and political center with plenty of opportunities for sightseeing, nightlife, shopping, and entertainment.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Indonesia, The Best Adventure Tours to Indonesia, The Best Bicycle Tours in Laos, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos.
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Jakarta Prices
Indonesia PricesVientiane Prices
Laos Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJakarta $68Vientiane $23
The average daily cost (per person) in Jakarta is $68, while the average daily cost in Vientiane is $23. 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 Jakarta and Vientiane in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJakarta $29Vientiane $8.15
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJakarta $58Vientiane $16
Compare Hotels in Jakarta and Vientiane
Looking for a hotel in Jakarta 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: Jakarta Hotel Prices and Vientiane Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jakarta $18Vientiane $1.93
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Jakarta
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Jakarta are as follows:
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Taxi to Station$0.96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jakarta
Also for Jakarta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- All-inclusive Private Jakarta Airport Transfer: $15
- Airport Jakarta Soekarno Hatta Private Transfer: $18
- CGK - Private Airport Transfer Service: $20
- Jakarta Airport Transfer Service: $20
- Private Hotel Transfer Service to Airport Jakarta: $22
- Jakarta Airport Transfer for Small/Big Group: $28
- Private Airport Transfer: Jakarta Airport (CGK) → Hotel: $30
- Private Transfer from Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP) to Pakulonan Barat: $32
- Private Transfer from Taman Sari to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $33
- Private Transfer from Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP) to Cengkareng: $33
- Private Transfer from Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP) to Ancol: $33
- Private Transfer from Tebet to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $33
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$4.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $20
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Vientiane Private Transfer: Wattay Airport -Hotel-Railway Station: $9.90
Is it cheaper to fly into Jakarta or Vientiane?
Prices for flights to both Vientiane and Jakarta 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 dayJakarta $26Vientiane $12
Typical Food Prices in Jakarta
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jakarta:
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Dinner$2.42
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Dinner$0.66
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jakarta
For Jakarta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Jakarta Nights Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $39
- Jakarta Night Walking and Food Tour: $40
- Jakarta Night Tour with Dinner at Café or Food street: $50
- Cultural Food Tour and Cooking Class at House of Tuggu: $84
- Halfday Batavia by Night with dinner at Cafe Batavia & souvenir: $120
- Jakarta Private Cooking Class and Experience Tour: $120
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vientiane
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vientiane.
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour and Lunch: $70
- Vientiane classic Food tour ( Included Food ): $78
- Night Market, Dinner, and Nightclub: $90
- Small-Group Street Food Tour with Tastings: $91
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour: $122
- Cooking Class Garden House: $335
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jakarta $11Vientiane $3.67
Tours and Activities in Jakarta
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jakarta.
- Ancol Entrance Gate Entry Ticket: $4.00
- Gondola Ancol Entry Ticket: $4.80
- Jakarta Faunaland Ancol Ticket: $19
- Pondok Indah Waterpark Ticket: $25
- Watercolor & Wellness A Healing Art Therapy Experience: $27
- Jakarta Aquarium Safari Admission Ticket: $32
- Jakarta Private Custom Walking Tour with A Guide: $35
- Highlights of Jakarta City : Half-Day Tour All around Jakarta: $40
- Experience Jakarta Street Food Scene with MRT Transportation: $40
- Jakarta Historical Highlights Private Tour: $41
- 3 Hours Jakarta City Tour (Jakarta's Iconic Places): $45
- Jakarta Walking Tour with Public Transportation Visiting Sites: $45
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- 1-Day Tour to Vang Vieng with Private Guide: $200
- 1-Day Vientiane City Adventure: Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $110
- Explore Vientiane with Lao Art Museum Tour: $61
- From Plain of Jars Tour & Homestay: $1,650
- From Vang Vieng 2-Day Tour with Blue Lagoon: $443
- 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 | Laos: $168
- Lao Art Museum Vientiane Admission & Cultural Experience: $10
- Lao Arts Museum & City Highlights Tour with Lunch: $122
- Lao Country Club Golf Experience in Vientiane: $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJakarta $3.75Vientiane $2.04
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jakarta and Vientiane, we can see that Jakarta 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 Jakarta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Jakarta 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 Jakarta Expensive? and Is Vientiane Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jakarta or Vientiane?
Jakarta has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Jakarta 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.
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.