Which place is cheaper, Vientiane or Kanchanaburi?
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 Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi 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: Kanchanaburi or Vientiane?
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.
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 Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, The Best Bicycle Tours in Laos, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos.
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Kanchanaburi Prices
Thailand PricesVientiane Prices
Laos Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKanchanaburi $58Vientiane $24
The average daily cost (per person) in Kanchanaburi is $58, while the average daily cost in Vientiane is $24. 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 Vientiane in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKanchanaburi $22Vientiane $8.45
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKanchanaburi $44Vientiane $17
Compare Hotels in Kanchanaburi and Vientiane
Looking for a hotel in Kanchanaburi 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: Kanchanaburi Hotel Prices and Vientiane Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kanchanaburi $14Vientiane $2.01
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kanchanaburi
Also for Kanchanaburi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Ratchaburi to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $99
- Private Airport Transfer : Bangkok to/from Kanchanaburi: $119
- Private Transfer from Kanchanaburi to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $187
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$4.15
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 Kanchanaburi or Vientiane?
Prices for flights to both Vientiane 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 $24Vientiane $12
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$4.71
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: $39
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.Kanchanaburi $10Vientiane $3.80
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$6.28
Tours and Activities in Kanchanaburi
For Kanchanaburi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Discovery Bike Tour: $18
- Best Paddleboarding Experience in Kanchanaburi River: $27
- River Kwai Paddleboarding Experience in Kanchanaburi: $30
- E-Scooter Tour in Kanchanaburi: $35
- Kanchanaburi Tree Top Adventure Park Tours: $45
- Half Day Kanchanaburi Bike Tour with History and Local Life: $53
- WWII History Bike Tour in Kanchanaburi with Local Guide: $59
- Kanchanaburi Tour Hellfire Pass History tour: $108
- Erawan Waterfall & Train Tour from Kanchanaburi – Full Day: $110
- Kanchanaburi Tour: Erawan Waterfall and Death Railway: $112
- Kanchanaburi Tour Erawan Waterfall Temples and Giant Rain Tree: $112
- Romantic Getaway in A Walking Tour: $174
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: $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: $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 dayKanchanaburi $9.24Vientiane $2.12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kanchanaburi and Vientiane, we can see that Kanchanaburi 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 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 Vientiane.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kanchanaburi Expensive? and Is Vientiane Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kanchanaburi or Vientiane?
Vientiane has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kanchanaburi. When comparing the sizes of Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi or Vientiane in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kanchanaburi as well as Vientiane. Kanchanaburi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.
July to October in Kanchanaburi is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Vientiane. Kanchanaburi usually gets less rain in July than Vientiane. Kanchanaburi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Kanchanaburi often gets more sunshine than Vientiane. Kanchanaburi gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 141 hours of full sun.
In July, Kanchanaburi is generally around the same temperature as Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Kanchanaburi average around 29°C (84°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 30°C (85°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKanchanaburi 29°C (84°F)Vientiane 30°C (85°F)
Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Vientiane in the Autumn?
Both Vientiane and Kanchanaburi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi is November to May. The rainy season in Kanchanaburi is July to October. It's quite rainy in Kanchanaburi. In October, Kanchanaburi usually receives more rain than Vientiane. Kanchanaburi gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
It's quite sunny in Vientiane. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kanchanaburi. Kanchanaburi usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Vientiane during autumn. Kanchanaburi gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Kanchanaburi is around the same temperature as Vientiane in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kanchanaburi averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Vientiane fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKanchanaburi 28°C (82°F)Vientiane 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Vientiane in the Winter?
Both Vientiane and Kanchanaburi during the winter 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 Vientiane year-round.
Kanchanaburi usually gets less rain in January than Vientiane. Kanchanaburi gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kanchanaburi. In the winter, Kanchanaburi often gets more sunshine than Vientiane. Kanchanaburi gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 254 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Kanchanaburi is around the same temperature as Vientiane. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kanchanaburi in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Vientiane averages at about 24°C (75°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKanchanaburi 25°C (77°F)Vientiane 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Vientiane in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kanchanaburi and Vientiane. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kanchanaburi year-round. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
November to May in Kanchanaburi is the dry season. In April, Kanchanaburi usually receives less rain than Vientiane. Kanchanaburi gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane this time of the year. In Kanchanaburi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kanchanaburi usually receives more sunshine than Vientiane during spring. Kanchanaburi gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 230 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's very hot in Vientiane this time of the year. Kanchanaburi can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Kanchanaburi is generally around the same temperature as Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Kanchanaburi average around 32°C (89°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 31°C (88°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKanchanaburi 32°C (89°F)Vientiane 31°C (88°F)
Typical Weather for Vientiane and Kanchanaburi
| Kanchanaburi | Vientiane | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Mar | 30°C (87°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (85°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 218 mm (8.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (76°F) | 9 mm (0.4 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.