Which place is cheaper, Vang Vieng or Kanchanaburi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kanchanaburi or Vang Vieng?
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 Kanchanaburi and Vang Vieng. 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: Kanchanaburi or Vang Vieng?
Kanchanaburi
If the hustle and bustle of the big city of Bangkok is just getting to you, there's an easy escape. Kanchanaburi, Thailand is a city located at the meeting of Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai, and is ideal for backpackers looking to reflect and relax. With easily accessible waterfalls and national parks, you'll wonder why anyone ever leaves.
Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is a town in the Vientiane province of Laos that sits along the banks of the Nam Song River. With its beautifully carved karst topography cliffs towering over the winding river, the area has become very tourist-oriented for those seeking to explore the outdoor wonders. People from all over come to engage in the unique landscape-mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, caving, swimming, and rock climbing, amongst others.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in 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 dayKanchanaburi $42Vang Vieng $14
The average daily cost (per person) in Kanchanaburi is $42, while the average daily cost in Vang Vieng 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 Kanchanaburi and Vang Vieng in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKanchanaburi $19Vang Vieng $4.34
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKanchanaburi $38Vang Vieng $8.68
Compare Hotels in Kanchanaburi and Vang Vieng
Looking for a hotel in Kanchanaburi or Vang Vieng? 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: Kanchanaburi Hotel Prices and Vang Vieng Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kanchanaburi $12Vang Vieng $3.18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kanchanaburi
Also for Kanchanaburi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Kanchanaburi to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $171
- Private Transfer from Kanchanaburi to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $163
- Arrival Bangkok Airport Private Transfer : Hotel in Kanchanaburi: $116
- Private Airport Transfer : Bangkok to/from Kanchanaburi: $103
- Private Transfer from Ratchaburi to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $98
- Private Transfer from Ratchaburi to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $90
Is it cheaper to fly into Kanchanaburi or Vang Vieng?
Prices for flights to both Vang Vieng and Kanchanaburi 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 dayKanchanaburi $12Vang Vieng $6.31
Typical Food Prices in Kanchanaburi
For Kanchanaburi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Casual Lunch$4.09
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kanchanaburi
For Kanchanaburi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Thai Cooking Class: $34
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kanchanaburi $9.10Vang Vieng $4.87
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kanchanaburi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kanchanaburi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Entry Park TreeHouse$5.46
Tours and Activities in Kanchanaburi
For Kanchanaburi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Amazing Boat Trip River Kwai and Erawan Falls Full Day Tour: $116
- Bangkok Mystical Waterfall & River Kwai Tour: $241
- Bangkok and Beyond - A 6 Day Exciting Group Tour: $1,000
- Bangkok: 2-Day River Kwai & Erawan National Park Tour: $281
- Bangkok: Erawan Waterfall, River Kwai & Death Railway Tour: $95
- Bangkok: Kanchanaburi and Erawan Waterfall Private Tour: $149
- Cycling to visit Local Experience and Learn Culture with Local expert: $28
- Discovery Bike Tour: $16
- E-Scooter Tour in Kanchanaburi: $30
- Erawan Waterfall & Train Tour from Kanchanaburi – Full Day: $110
- Erawan Waterfalls & Phra That Cave Tour : from Bangkok: $111
- Full Day Kanchanaburi River Kwai Experience: $84
Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.
- Discover Vang Vieng Private Tour- Trekking, Kayaking and Caving: $102
- Full Day Private Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave Tour: $156
- Half-Day Nam Song River Kayak Tour with Zipline or Tham None: $27
- One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng : $50
- Train ticket Vang vieng to Luang prabang: $50
- Vang Vieng Bike Tour: $39
- Vang Vieng Kayaking Fun Rapid and Float Tour: $35
- Vang Vieng Tour A - Blue lagoon 3 with Caves and Zipline: $110
- Vang Vieng Tour B - Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour: $55
- Blue Lagoon and Countryside Bike Tour with Lunch: $50
- Jungle & Caves Full-Day Private Trekking Tour: $120
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKanchanaburi $8.03Vang Vieng $1.14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kanchanaburi and Vang Vieng, we can see that Kanchanaburi is more expensive. And not only is Vang Vieng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vang Vieng would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vang Vieng 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 Kanchanaburi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kanchanaburi than you might in Vang Vieng.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kanchanaburi Expensive? and Is Vang Vieng Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kanchanaburi or Vang Vieng?
Kanchanaburi has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Kanchanaburi and Vang Vieng, 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 Kanchanaburi or Vang Vieng?
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 Kanchanaburi or Vang Vieng in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kanchanaburi and Vang Vieng. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kanchanaburi year-round. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Also, July to October is the rainy season in Kanchanaburi. In July, Kanchanaburi usually receives more rain than Vang Vieng. Kanchanaburi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Kanchanaburi usually receives more sunshine than Vang Vieng during summer. Kanchanaburi gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Vang Vieng receives 141 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Kanchanaburi is a little warmer than Vang Vieng. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kanchanaburi in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Vang Vieng averages at about 22°C (72°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKanchanaburi 29°C (84°F)Vang Vieng 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Vang Vieng in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kanchanaburi as well as Vang Vieng. Kanchanaburi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year.
Also, November to May in Kanchanaburi is the dry season. July to October in Kanchanaburi is the rainy season. Kanchanaburi receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kanchanaburi usually gets more rain in October than Vang Vieng. Kanchanaburi gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kanchanaburi this time of the year. In the autumn, Kanchanaburi often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vang Vieng. Kanchanaburi gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vang Vieng receives 222 hours of full sun.
In October, Kanchanaburi is generally a little warmer than Vang Vieng. Daily temperatures in Kanchanaburi average around 28°C (82°F), and Vang Vieng fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKanchanaburi 28°C (82°F)Vang Vieng 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Vang Vieng in the Winter?
Both Vang Vieng and Kanchanaburi are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kanchanaburi throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Kanchanaburi usually receives less rain than Vang Vieng. Kanchanaburi gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Vang Vieng. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kanchanaburi. Kanchanaburi usually receives more sunshine than Vang Vieng during winter. Kanchanaburi gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Vang Vieng receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.
Kanchanaburi is around the same temperature as Vang Vieng in the winter. The daily temperature in Kanchanaburi averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Vang Vieng fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKanchanaburi 25°C (77°F)Vang Vieng 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Vang Vieng in the Spring?
Both Vang Vieng and Kanchanaburi during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kanchanaburi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round.
November to May is the dry season in Kanchanaburi. Vang Vieng gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kanchanaburi usually gets less rain in April than Vang Vieng. Kanchanaburi gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Vang Vieng, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kanchanaburi. In the spring, Kanchanaburi often gets more sunshine than Vang Vieng. Kanchanaburi gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vang Vieng receives 230 hours of full sun.
The heat can be very extreme in Kanchanaburi. In the spring, Kanchanaburi is a little warmer than Vang Vieng. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kanchanaburi in April average around 32°C (89°F), and Vang Vieng averages at about 23°C (73°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKanchanaburi 32°C (89°F)Vang Vieng 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Vang Vieng and Kanchanaburi
| Kanchanaburi | Vang Vieng | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Mar | 30°C (87°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (85°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 218 mm (8.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (76°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 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.