Which place is cheaper, Vientiane or Krabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Krabi or Vientiane?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Krabi and Vientiane can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Krabi or Vientiane?
Krabi
Thailand is covered in beaches, but if you're more interested in immersion in Thai culture than the salty ocean, consider a trip to Krabi, also known as "Krabi Town". Pronounced "Grabee," this small, but bustling city is just up the river from the coast, and is the gateway to the beaches in the surrounding Province of Krabi. Krabi Town is full of hotels, agencies and western restaurants, but if you look hard enough, you'll easily see the energy and life of Thailand. While there are no beaches in the town itself, there is plenty of Thai culture to experience.
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 10-Day Tours in Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) 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 dayKrabi $55Vientiane $15
The average daily cost (per person) in Krabi is $55, 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 Krabi and Vientiane in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKrabi $36Vientiane $6.01
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKrabi $72Vientiane $12
Compare Hotels in Krabi and Vientiane
Looking for a hotel in Krabi 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: Krabi Hotel Prices and Vientiane Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Krabi $3.80Vientiane $2.08
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Krabi
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Krabi are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$8.18
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Short Tuk-Tuk Ride$2.73
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2 Bottles of Gasoline$2.18
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Longboat Taxi from Town$5.46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krabi
Also for Krabi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Ferry Transfer to/from Phi Phi Don Island: $13
- Krabi Airport (KBV) Private Transfer: $13
- Ferry Transfer to/from Phi Phi Tonsai or Laem Tong: $13
- Private Airport Transfers for Krabi & More: $15
- Krabi International Airport Departure Shared Transfer from Aonang and Krabi Town: $16
- Krabi International Airport Arrival Shared Transfer To Aonang & Krabi Town: $16
- Private Transfer : Krabi Hotel to Krabi Airport Departure: $17
- Krabi Airport: 1-Way Krabi Hotel Private Transfer: $17
- Private Eco-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Tiger Cave Temple: $18
- Private Eco-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Air port, Krabi: $18
- Private Arrival Transfer : Krabi Airport to Krabi Hotel: $19
- Krabi airport to Aonang any hotel Private transfer: $19
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:
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $29
- Vientiane Private Airport and Hotel Transfers: $9.00
- Vientiane Airport Transfer: Wattay airport to hotel - Private transfer: $15
- Vientiane - Hanoi Sleeping Bus Transfer : $63
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Private Transfer in Laos: $5.00
Is it cheaper to fly into Krabi or Vientiane?
Prices for flights to both Vientiane and Krabi 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 dayKrabi $13Vientiane $6.32
Typical Food Prices in Krabi
For Krabi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.82
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Drinks on the Beach$6.55
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$17
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Nice Dinner (for Two)$30
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Mango Shake$1.36
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Pad Thai$2.73
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Fruit from the Market$1.64
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Pancakes$2.73
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Coffee & Cake$2.05
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Krabi
For Krabi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Thai Cooking Class with Smart Cook: $36
- Snorkeling and Sunset Dinner Trip From Krabi: $37
- 7 Islands Sunset Tour with BBQ Dinner and Snorkeling: $37
- 7 Islands Sunset Tour with BBQ Dinner & Plankton: $37
- Evening Thai Cooking Class at Ya's Cookery: $39
- 4 Islands Sunset Longtail Boat Tour with BBQ Dinner: $41
- Seven Islands Snorkel Cruise with Dinner: $41
- Authentic Thai cooking class with market tour: $41
- Krabi Thai Cooking Class: $42
- Krabi 4 Islands Sunset Premium Service Trip by Speedboat + BBQ Dinner: $42
- Thai Charm Cooking School Krabi: $44
- Cooking Class at Thai Charm Cooking School with Meal: $45
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.Krabi $10Vientiane $3.54
Typical Entertainment Prices in Krabi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Krabi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Thai-English Book$9.00
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Thai Massages (for Two)$22
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Bikini & Sarong$16
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Yoga Class (1 Hour)$12
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Backgammon Set (travel size)$6.82
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Kayak Trip (for Two)$52
Tours and Activities in Krabi
For Krabi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Krabi 4 Islands Tour and Snorkeling with Shared boat: $22
- Ao Nang, Group Boat Tour to 4 Islands with Lunch: $24
- 4 Islands Separated Sea - The Unseen of Thailand Tour: $24
- Krabi 4 island tour: $26
- Half Day Tour Mangrove Tour Kayaking Tour With Lunch: $27
- 4 Islands & Thale Waek's Sandbar Tour By Speedboat: $27
- 4 Islands Snorkeling Tour by Longtail Boat from Krabi with Walk on Tombolo: $28
- The Krabi 4 Island Tour by Longtail Boat: $28
- 4 Islands One Day Tour From Krabi: $28
- 4 Islands Snorkeling Tour by Longtail Boat: $29
- 4 Islands Tour by Longtail Boat: $29
- Shooting Range Experience in Krabi: $30
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- 2 Days Private Tour in Vientiane and Vang Vieng: $90
- Explore Vientiane and Local Villages Biking Tour: $184
- From Hue: Hue to Vientiane Bus tickets: $62
- Full Day Private Tour in Vientiane with Pickup: $142
- Guided Vientiane City and Buddha Park Full-Day Tour: $81
- Half Day Private Tour in City Highlights: $120
- Half-Day Vientiane City Bike Tour: $67
- Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide in Vientiane: $82
- Private Tour: Full-day Cycling The City Streets Vientiane with Buddha Park: $174
- 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
- Private Tour: Vientiane City Tour Full Day with Buddha Park: $145
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKrabi $4.34Vientiane $2.35
Typical Alcohol Prices in Krabi
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Krabi are as follows:
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Beer$2.45
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Cocktails (for Two)$8.18
Sample the Local Flavors in Krabi
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Krabi:
- Railay Pub Crawl: $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Krabi and Vientiane, we can see that Krabi 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 Krabi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Krabi 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 Krabi Expensive? and Is Vientiane Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Krabi or Vientiane?
Vientiane has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Krabi. When comparing the sizes of Krabi 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 Krabi 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 Krabi or Vientiane in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Krabi as well as Vientiane. Krabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.
August to October in Krabi is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Vientiane. Krabi receives a lot of rain in the summer. Krabi usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Vientiane. Krabi gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Krabi this time of the year. In the summer, Krabi often gets more sunshine than Vientiane. Krabi gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 141 hours of full sun.
Krabi is around the same temperature as Vientiane in the summer. The daily temperature in Krabi averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Vientiane fluctuates around 30°C (85°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKrabi 28°C (82°F)Vientiane 30°C (85°F)
Should I visit Krabi or Vientiane in the Autumn?
Both Vientiane and Krabi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Krabi 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 Krabi is December to March. The rainy season in Krabi is August to October. It's quite rainy in Krabi. In October, Krabi usually receives more rain than Vientiane. Krabi gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
It's quite sunny in Vientiane. Krabi usually receives less sunshine than Vientiane during autumn. Krabi gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Krabi is around the same temperature as Vientiane. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Krabi in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Vientiane averages at about 28°C (83°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKrabi 27°C (81°F)Vientiane 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Krabi or Vientiane in the Winter?
Both Vientiane and Krabi during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Krabi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round.
December to March is the dry season in Krabi. Krabi usually gets more rain in January than Vientiane. Krabi gets 31 mm (1.2 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 Krabi. In the winter, Krabi often gets more sunshine than Vientiane. Krabi gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 254 hours of full sun.
In January, Krabi is generally a little warmer than Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Krabi average around 28°C (82°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKrabi 28°C (82°F)Vientiane 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Krabi or Vientiane in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Krabi and Vientiane. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Krabi year-round. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Krabi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Krabi usually receives more rain than Vientiane. Krabi gets 120 mm (4.7 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 Krabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Krabi usually receives more sunshine than Vientiane during spring. Krabi gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 230 hours of full sun in the spring.
The heat can be very extreme in Vientiane. Krabi is around the same temperature as Vientiane in the spring. The daily temperature in Krabi averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Vientiane fluctuates around 31°C (88°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKrabi 29°C (84°F)Vientiane 31°C (88°F)
Typical Weather for Vientiane and Krabi
| Krabi | Vientiane | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.