A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kolkata (Calcutta) vs. Vang Vieng for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kolkata (Calcutta) or Vang Vieng?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kolkata (Calcutta) or Vang Vieng, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Kolkata (Calcutta) or Vang Vieng?

Kolkata (Calcutta)

Formerly known as Calcutta, Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal, India. Featuring colonial architecture, galleries, temples, and festivals, the city has flourished from its roots as an East India Company trading post in the 18th Century to a thriving metropolis. Today Kolkata is a diverse center of culture and bustling activity.

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 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in India, The Best Bicycle Tours in India, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos.


Which place is cheaper, Vang Vieng or Kolkata (Calcutta)?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $37, 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 Kolkata (Calcutta) and Vang Vieng in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $17
    Vang Vieng $4.34
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $34
    Vang Vieng $8.68
Compare Hotels in Kolkata (Calcutta) and Vang Vieng

Looking for a hotel in Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 Kolkata (Calcutta)


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: Kolkata (Calcutta) Hotel Prices and Vang Vieng Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $5.11
    Vang Vieng $3.18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kolkata (Calcutta):

  • Path of Knowledge: A Heritage Walking Tour of Kolkata with Private Transfer: $165
  • Kolkata 8 Hour Private City Tour Including Hotel Transfers by Car: $86
  • Build Your Own: custom private tour of Kolkata with transfers: $69
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kolkata Airport: $32
  • Private Transfer Kolkata Airport CCU To Kolkata Hotels Drop: $22

Is it cheaper to fly into Kolkata (Calcutta) or Vang Vieng?

Prices for flights to both Vang Vieng and Kolkata (Calcutta) 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
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $14
    Vang Vieng $6.31

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kolkata (Calcutta).

  • Bengali Nights Kolkata Food Tour with 13+ Tastings: $35
  • Cooking experience in Authentic Bengali House with Lunch/Dinner: $41
  • Alleyway Food Tour: $42
  • Traditional Bengali Cooking Class in Kolkata in a Local Home: $64

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $15
    Vang Vieng $4.87

Tours and Activities in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kolkata (Calcutta) are as follows:

  • 02 Days Guided Private Tour of Kolkata : $225
  • 2 days private tour of kolkata city and Bishnupur by car: $280
  • Best of Kolkata (Guided Halfday Sightseeing Tour by Car): $82
  • Chasing The Sun Experience Kolkata's Culture: $25
  • Cultural Confluence of Kolkata - Culture Kaleidoscope Tour: $37
  • Custom Private Guided Kolkata Sightseeing Trip w/ Optional Add ons: $148
  • Explore Kolkata- Private Full Day Tour: $90
  • Full Day City Tour Of Kolkata With Guide: $55
  • Full Day Kolkata City Tour : $76
  • Full Day Pilgrimage Tour of Ganga Sagar from Kolkata: $100
  • Guided Kolkata Sightseeing Trip by Car, Walk & Sunset Cruise Excursion Trip: $111
  • Half Day Tour to the Flower Market and Howrah Bridge in Kolkata: $85

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
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $8.27
    Vang Vieng $1.14

Sample the Local Flavors in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Also in Kolkata (Calcutta), these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Pub Crawl Kolkata: $39


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


Which is Bigger, Kolkata (Calcutta) or Vang Vieng?

Kolkata (Calcutta) has a larger population, and is about 190 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Kolkata (Calcutta) 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.

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