A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Karachi vs. Vang Vieng for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Karachi or Vang Vieng?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Karachi or Vang Vieng? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Karachi or Vang Vieng?

Karachi

Karachi is the capital of the Pakistani province of Sindh. It is the most populous city in Pakistan, and sixth most populous city proper in the world. Karachi, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, is the financial and commercial center of the nation, as well as its largest port. The pace of life here is more hurried, and social attitudes are far more liberal than elsewhere in Pakistan. Locals call it the City of Lights, the City of The Quaid, and the City that Never Sleeps. The city credits its growth to the mixed populations of economic and political migrants along with refugees from different national, provincial, linguistic and religious origins, who generally come to the city to settle permanently.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Pakistan, The Best Historical Tours in Pakistan, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos.


Which place is cheaper, Vang Vieng or Karachi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Karachi is $26, 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 Karachi and Vang Vieng in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Karachi $11
    Vang Vieng $4.34
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Karachi $22
    Vang Vieng $8.68
Compare Hotels in Karachi and Vang Vieng

Looking for a hotel in Karachi 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.

Hotels in Karachi


Hotels in Vang Vieng


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: Karachi Hotel Prices and Vang Vieng Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Karachi $4.58
    Vang Vieng $3.18

Is it cheaper to fly into Karachi or Vang Vieng?

Prices for flights to both Vang Vieng and Karachi 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Karachi $11
    Vang Vieng $6.31

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Karachi

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Karachi.

  • Private Karachi Street Food Tour: $94
  • Half-Day Karachi Burns Road Private Victoria Ride with Dinner: $100
  • Street Food Tour of Karachi: $199

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Karachi $5.07
    Vang Vieng $4.87

Tours and Activities in Karachi

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Karachi are as follows:

  • Experience local village life in Sindh: $200
  • Full Day Private Tour in Karachi City: $161
  • Full Day Private Tour to Mohatta Palace Zainab and Burns road: $195
  • Karachi City Tour : $129
  • Karachi Sightseeing Private tour: $159
  • UNESCO World Heritage Tour Near Karachi : $150

Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.

  • Half-Day Nam Song River Kayak Tour with Zipline or Tham None: $27
  • Vang Vieng Kayaking Fun Rapid and Float Tour: $35
  • Vang Vieng Bike Tour: $39
  • One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng : $50
  • Train ticket Vang vieng to Luang prabang: $50
  • Blue Lagoon and Countryside Bike Tour with Lunch: $50
  • Vang Vieng Tour B - Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour: $55
  • Discover Vang Vieng Private Tour- Trekking, Kayaking and Caving: $102
  • Vang Vieng Tour A - Blue lagoon 3 with Caves and Zipline: $110
  • Jungle & Caves Full-Day Private Trekking Tour: $120
  • Full Day Private Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave Tour: $156

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Karachi $3.35
    Vang Vieng $1.14


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Karachi and Vang Vieng, we can see that Karachi 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 Karachi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Karachi 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 Karachi Expensive? and Is Vang Vieng Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Karachi or Vang Vieng?

Karachi has a larger population, and is about 460 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Karachi 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 Karachi or Vang Vieng?

Karachi has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Vang Vieng experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Karachi or Vang Vieng in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Karachi as well as Vang Vieng. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year.

In July, Karachi is generally a little warmer than Vang Vieng. Daily temperatures in Karachi average around 30°C (86°F), and Vang Vieng fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In the summer, Karachi often gets more sunshine than Vang Vieng. Karachi gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vang Vieng receives 141 hours of full sun.

Karachi usually gets less rain in July than Vang Vieng. Karachi gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Karachi 30°C (86°F) 
    Vang Vieng 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Karachi or Vang Vieng in the Autumn?

Both Vang Vieng and Karachi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Karachi is a little warmer than Vang Vieng in the autumn. The daily temperature in Karachi averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Vang Vieng fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Vang Vieng. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Karachi. Karachi usually receives more sunshine than Vang Vieng during autumn. Karachi gets 284 hours of sunny skies, while Vang Vieng receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Karachi usually receives less rain than Vang Vieng. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Karachi 29°C (84°F) 
    Vang Vieng 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Karachi or Vang Vieng in the Winter?

Both Vang Vieng and Karachi during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round.

In the winter, Karachi is cooler than Vang Vieng. Typically, the winter temperatures in Karachi in January average around 19°C (66°F), and Vang Vieng averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Vang Vieng, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Karachi. In the winter, Karachi often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vang Vieng. Karachi gets 271 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vang Vieng receives 254 hours of full sun.

Karachi usually gets less rain in January than Vang Vieng. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Karachi 19°C (66°F) 
    Vang Vieng 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Karachi or Vang Vieng in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Karachi and Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Karachi is generally a little warmer than Vang Vieng. Daily temperatures in Karachi average around 29°C (84°F), and Vang Vieng fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vang Vieng this time of the year. In Karachi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Karachi usually receives more sunshine than Vang Vieng during spring. Karachi gets 277 hours of sunny skies, while Vang Vieng receives 230 hours of full sun in the spring.

Vang Vieng receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Karachi usually receives less rain than Vang Vieng. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Karachi 29°C (84°F) 
    Vang Vieng 23°C (73°F)

Typical Weather for Vang Vieng and Karachi

Karachi Vang Vieng
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 24°C (75°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 24°C (75°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Mar 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 24°C (75°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 188 mm (7.4 in)
May 31°C (88°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Jun 31°C (88°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Jul 30°C (86°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 22°C (72°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Aug 30°C (86°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 22°C (72°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Oct 29°C (84°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Nov 24°C (75°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 113 mm (4.4 in)
Dec 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)


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