Which place is cheaper, Vientiane or Khao Lak?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Khao Lak 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 Khao Lak 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: Khao Lak or Vientiane?
Khao Lak
Resiliency and relaxation. Those are the two words used to describe one of Thailand's most breathtaking cities. Khao Lak is located in southern Thailand, and when the tsunami of 2004 hit, this area saw the most damage. With more than 4,000 fatalities, 3,000 still unaccounted for and enormous structural damages, many thought Khao Lak would not be able to bounce back. They have proved everyone wrong with a strong and impressive recovery. Now it has returned to its status of vacation hotspot. Unlike neighboring Phuket, though, the resorts in Khao Lak are designed for families and some peace and quiet.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to 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 dayKhao Lak $112Vientiane $15
The average daily cost (per person) in Khao Lak is $112, while the average daily cost in Vientiane is $15. 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 Khao Lak and Vientiane in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKhao Lak $51Vientiane $6.01
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKhao Lak $102Vientiane $12
Compare Hotels in Khao Lak and Vientiane
Looking for a hotel in Khao Lak 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: Khao Lak Hotel Prices and Vientiane Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Khao Lak $52Vientiane $2.08
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Khao Lak
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Khao Lak:
- Phuket: Private One-Way Transfer to/from Khao Lak by Car: $30
- Khao Lak/Bang Sak: 1-Way Private Transfer to Phuket Airport: $41
- 30-Minutes Guided Tour & Transfer to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary: $42
- Private Transfer from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak: $44
- 2-Hour Guided Eco-Tour & Transfer to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary: $55
- Khao Lak To Khao Sok Private Minivan & Car Transfer: $56
- Private Transfer from Khao Lak to Phuket (HKT) Airport: $100
- From Carnival Magic Phuket Ticket with Transfer: $106
- Krabi Airport: Private Transfer to/from Khaolak: $111
- Similan Island Snorkeling Adventure -Full-Day Tour with Transfers: $119
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$4.24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:
- Private Transfer in Laos: $5.00
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Vientiane - Hanoi Sleeping Bus Transfer : $63
- Vientiane Airport Transfer: Wattay airport to hotel - Private transfer: $15
- Vientiane Private Airport and Hotel Transfers: $9.00
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Khao Lak or Vientiane?
Prices for flights to both Vientiane and Khao Lak 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 dayKhao Lak $31Vientiane $6.32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Khao Lak
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Khao Lak.
- Authentic Thai Cooking Class in Khao Lak with Market Tour by Pakinnaka School: $56
- Riverside Thai Cooking Half Day Class: $57
- Authentic Thai cooking class with market tour.: $59
- Thai Cooking Class in a Garden with Transfer: $59
- Thai Cooking Class in Khaolak: $61
- 3 hours Khao Lak Cooking Class and Market Visit: $68
- Half-Day Cooking Class and Ingredient Hunt: $68
- 3-Hour Khaolak Cooking Class with Food Market Visit: $69
- Khao Sok Local Life Adventure & Traditional Cooking Class: $89
- Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary, Cooking Class and Waterfall Tour: $97
- ATV Quad Bike Excursion to Stunning Waterfalls with Dinner: $97
- Thai Food Cooking Class & ATV Adventure Tour: $97
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vientiane
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vientiane.
- Private Evening Food Tour of Laos: $70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Khao Lak $19Vientiane $3.54
Tours and Activities in Khao Lak
Here are a few actual costs in Khao Lak for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Guided Walk & Feed Elephant Experience with Pickup: $35
- Bamboo Rafting and Sea Turtle Conservation Center Half Day Tour From Khao Lak: $37
- Guide Tour to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary in Small Group: $44
- Takuapa Cultural History Half-Day Tour From Khao Lak: $48
- Elephant Sanctuary Guided Tour: $51
- Khaolak: Begin the Day with Elephants - Walk and Feed Tour: $51
- Elephant Bathing and Feeding Tour: $52
- 30 Minutes Khaolak ATV Quadbike & Waterfall Adventure: $53
- 30-Minutes ATV Quads and Waterfall Experience in Khaolak : $55
- Little Amazon Canoe Ride & Tam Nang Waterfall Tour: $56
- Sok River Canoeing | Half-Day Tour: $58
- Historical And Cultural Day Tour To Takuapa Old Town From Khao Lak: $60
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- Vientiane ATV and Canopy Walking Experience: $48
- Vientiane Sky Luge and Roller Zipline Experience: $55
- From Hue: Hue to Vientiane Bus tickets: $62
- Half-Day Vientiane City Bike Tour: $67
- Vientiane Half-Day City Tour: $69
- Guided Vientiane City and Buddha Park Full-Day Tour: $81
- Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide in Vientiane: $82
- Vientiane City Day Tour and Buddha Park Visit with Lunch: $88
- 2 Days Private Tour in Vientiane and Vang Vieng: $90
- Private Vientiane Tour - include Buddha Park: $100
- Private Tour: Full-day Vientiane's Must-See Sights and River Sunset with Lunch: $101
- Private Tour: Half-day City Guided Tour of Vientiane: $113
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKhao Lak $13Vientiane $2.35
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Khao Lak and Vientiane, we can see that Khao Lak 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 Khao Lak would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Khao Lak 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 Khao Lak Expensive? and Is Vientiane Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Khao Lak or Vientiane?
Vientiane has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Khao Lak. When comparing the sizes of Khao Lak 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 Khao Lak or Vientiane?
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 Khao Lak or Vientiane in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Khao Lak and Vientiane. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Lak year-round. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Vientiane receives a lot of rain in the summer. Khao Lak gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Khao Lak usually receives around the same amount of rain as Vientiane. Khao Lak gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In Khao Lak, it's very sunny this time of the year. Khao Lak usually receives more sunshine than Vientiane during summer. Khao Lak gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 141 hours of full sun in the summer.
Khao Lak is around the same temperature as Vientiane in the summer. The daily temperature in Khao Lak averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Vientiane fluctuates around 30°C (85°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKhao Lak 28°C (82°F)Vientiane 30°C (85°F)
Should I visit Khao Lak or Vientiane in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Khao Lak as well as Vientiane. Khao Lak attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.
Also, November to April in Khao Lak is the dry season. May to October in Khao Lak is the rainy season. Khao Lak receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Khao Lak usually gets more rain in October than Vientiane. Khao Lak gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. In the autumn, Khao Lak often gets less sunshine than Vientiane. Khao Lak gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 222 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Khao Lak is around the same temperature as Vientiane. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Khao Lak in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Vientiane averages at about 28°C (83°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKhao Lak 27°C (81°F)Vientiane 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Khao Lak or Vientiane in the Winter?
Both Vientiane and Khao Lak are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Lak throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Khao Lak usually receives more rain than Vientiane. Khao Lak gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Vientiane. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Khao Lak. Khao Lak usually receives more sunshine than Vientiane during winter. Khao Lak gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Khao Lak is generally a little warmer than Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Khao Lak average around 27°C (80°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKhao Lak 27°C (80°F)Vientiane 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Khao Lak or Vientiane in the Spring?
Both Vientiane and Khao Lak during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Lak because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round.
November to April is the dry season in Khao Lak. May to October is the rainy season in Khao Lak. It rains a lot this time of the year in Khao Lak. Khao Lak usually gets more rain in April than Vientiane. Khao Lak gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Khao Lak. In the spring, Khao Lak often gets more sunshine than Vientiane. Khao Lak gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 230 hours of full sun.
The heat can be very extreme in Vientiane. Khao Lak is around the same temperature as Vientiane in the spring. The daily temperature in Khao Lak averages around 29°C (83°F) in April, and Vientiane fluctuates around 31°C (88°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKhao Lak 29°C (83°F)Vientiane 31°C (88°F)
Typical Weather for Vientiane and Khao Lak
| Khao Lak | Vientiane | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 345 mm (13.6 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 286 mm (11.3 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 272 mm (10.7 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 417 mm (16.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 351 mm (13.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.