Which place is cheaper, Vientiane or Koh Lanta?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta 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: Koh Lanta or Vientiane?
Koh Lanta
Located on the southern coast of Thailand is a place populated by long beaches and diving hotspots. Consisting of several islands, Koh Lanta is a large island with nine beaches along the coast. The beautiful scenery makes this a quiet and relaxing spot for tourists. The crowds on this island tend to be older than the party-seekers on Ko Phi Phi so you'll find more activities like serene walks on the beach or travelers catching a sunset.
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 Eco Tours in Thailand, The Best Sightseeing 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 dayKoh Lanta $48Vientiane $15
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Lanta is $48, 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 Koh Lanta and Vientiane in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Lanta $24Vientiane $6.01
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Lanta $48Vientiane $12
Compare Hotels in Koh Lanta and Vientiane
Looking for a hotel in Koh Lanta 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: Koh Lanta Hotel Prices and Vientiane Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Lanta $5.66Vientiane $2.08
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Lanta
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Lanta:
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Ferry from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Lanta
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Koh Lanta:
- One-Way Transfer from Koh Lanta to Krabi Town or Airport by Minivan: $11
- Pravate Transfer Lanta Island to Krabi Airport, Krabi Town, Ao nang: $74
- Koh Lanta :Krabi Airport Private Transfer:From Airport or Hotel: $111
- Koh lanta to phuket any hotel Private transfer: $171
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 Koh Lanta or Vientiane?
Prices for flights to both Vientiane and Koh Lanta 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 dayKoh Lanta $11Vientiane $6.32
Typical Food Prices in Koh Lanta
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Lanta:
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Casual Breakfast$4.36
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Casual Lunch$7.36
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Casual Dinner$12
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Fancy Dinner (for Two)$46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Lanta
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Koh Lanta.
- Cooking Experience at Lanta Thai Cookery School From Koh Lanta: $48
- Sukho Cuisine Thai Cooking School From Koh Lanta: $52
- Cooking Class and Market Tour at Lanta Thai Cookery School on Koh Lanta: $53
- Cooking Class & Market Tour with Thai Master Chef at Sukho Cuisine, Lanta: $62
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.Koh Lanta $31Vientiane $3.54
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Lanta
Here are a few typical costs in Koh Lanta for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Emerald Cave Tour$19
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Yoga Session (1 Hour)$9.55
Tours and Activities in Koh Lanta
Here are a few actual costs in Koh Lanta for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Half Day 2 Caves Ko Skull Tour Ko Lanta and Kayaking Ko Talabeng: $25
- Lanta 4 Islands + Emerald Cave Snorkeling Tour: $26
- Lanta 4 Islands tour (Longtail boat): $26
- 4 Island Tour to Emerald Cave by Longtail Boat from Koh Lanta: $28
- Half Day Mangrove Forest Kayaking Tour From Koh Lanta: $29
- Tung Yee Peng Mangrove Forest Tour By Longtail Boat From Koh Lanta: $30
- Lanta Mangrove Tour with Sea Cave Kayaking at Koh Talabeng: $30
- Koh Ngai, Koh Muk + Emerald Cave Snorkeling Tour by Classic Longtail Boat: $32
- Sea Cave and Mangrove Forest Kayaking Tour From Koh Lanta: $36
- Lanta Old Town and Mangrove Forest Sightseeing Tour: $40
- Snorkel Tour to Phi Phi Islands by Speed Boat from Koh Lanta: $42
- Koh Phi Phi Day Tour by Opal Travel Speedboat: $42
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 dayKoh Lanta $3.79Vientiane $2.35
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Lanta and Vientiane, we can see that Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta Expensive? and Is Vientiane Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Koh Lanta or Vientiane?
Vientiane has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Koh Lanta. When comparing the sizes of Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta or Vientiane in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Lanta and Vientiane. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lanta year-round. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Also, June to September is the rainy season in Koh Lanta. Vientiane receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Lanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Lanta usually receives around the same amount of rain as Vientiane. Koh Lanta gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In Koh Lanta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Koh Lanta usually receives more sunshine than Vientiane during summer. Koh Lanta gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 141 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Koh Lanta is generally around the same temperature as Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Koh Lanta average around 27°C (81°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 30°C (85°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Lanta 27°C (81°F)Vientiane 30°C (85°F)
Should I visit Koh Lanta or Vientiane in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Lanta as well as Vientiane. Koh Lanta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.
Koh Lanta receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Lanta usually gets more rain in October than Vientiane. Koh Lanta gets 281 mm (11.1 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, Koh Lanta often gets less sunshine than Vientiane. Koh Lanta gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 222 hours of full sun.
Koh Lanta is around the same temperature as Vientiane in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Lanta averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Vientiane fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Lanta 27°C (81°F)Vientiane 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Koh Lanta or Vientiane in the Winter?
Both Vientiane and Koh Lanta are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta is January to April. In January, Koh Lanta usually receives more rain than Vientiane. Koh Lanta gets 50 mm (2 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 Koh Lanta. Koh Lanta usually receives more sunshine than Vientiane during winter. Koh Lanta gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, Koh Lanta is a little warmer than Vientiane. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Lanta in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Vientiane averages at about 24°C (75°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Lanta 27°C (80°F)Vientiane 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Koh Lanta or Vientiane in the Spring?
Both Vientiane and Koh Lanta during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Lanta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round.
January to April is the dry season in Koh Lanta. June to September is the rainy season in Koh Lanta. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Lanta. Koh Lanta usually gets more rain in April than Vientiane. Koh Lanta gets 124 mm (4.9 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 Koh Lanta. In the spring, Koh Lanta often gets more sunshine than Vientiane. Koh Lanta gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 230 hours of full sun.
It's very hot in Vientiane this time of the year. In April, Koh Lanta is generally around the same temperature as Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Koh Lanta average around 29°C (85°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 31°C (88°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Lanta 29°C (85°F)Vientiane 31°C (88°F)
Typical Weather for Vientiane and Koh Lanta
| Koh Lanta | Vientiane | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 355 mm (14 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 116 mm (4.6 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.