A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lombok vs. Vientiane for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Lombok or Vientiane?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lombok and Vientiane. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Lombok or Vientiane?

Lombok

Lombok is an island east of the well-tread Bali and west of lesser-developed Sumbawa. While Lombok is not as popular as its neighbor to the west, it is a great place to visit for that very reason. Less popularity means lower prices for accommodations, food, activities, and less-inundated tourist spots. Nonetheless, Lombok is rapidly developing in tourism, and the government is naming it and Sumbawa the number two tourism spots, following Bali.

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 Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos.


Which place is cheaper, Vientiane or Lombok?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Lombok is $52, 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 Lombok and Vientiane in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lombok $29
    Vientiane $6.01
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lombok $58
    Vientiane $12
Compare Hotels in Lombok and Vientiane

Looking for a hotel in Lombok 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.

Hotels in Lombok


Hotels in Vientiane


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: Lombok Hotel Prices and Vientiane Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lombok $11
    Vientiane $2.08

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lombok

Also for Lombok, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer Service to Lombok Airport : $22
  • Gili Trawangan, Air, or 1-Way Boat Transfer to Bali: $23
  • Airport transfer from Lombok Airport to Kuta Mandalika : $23
  • Private Transfer International Airport Lombok (LOP) To Hotel: $23
  • Airport Transfer: Airport To Kuta/kuta To Airport: $27
  • Lombok Airport Transfer : $27
  • Lombok to Lombok Int Airport (LOP) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
  • Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Mataram: $32
  • Private Transfer from Mataram to Lombok Airport (LOP): $32
  • Private Transfer from Mangsit to Lombok Airport (LOP): $32
  • Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Dusun Kerandangan: $32
  • Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Senggigi: $32

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:


  • Tuk Tuk Ride
    $4.24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:

  • Vientiane - Hanoi Sleeping Bus Transfer : $63
  • Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $29
  • Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
  • Vientiane Airport Transfer: Wattay airport to hotel - Private transfer: $15
  • Vientiane Private Airport and Hotel Transfers: $9.00
  • Private Transfer in Laos: $5.00

Is it cheaper to fly into Lombok or Vientiane?

Prices for flights to both Vientiane and Lombok 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
    Lombok $12
    Vientiane $6.32

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lombok

For Lombok, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Anggrek Putih Cooking Class & Garden Tour: $38
  • Love and Legends: The Ultimate Romantic Dinner on the beach : $47
  • Babah Peranakan Chinese Cuisine Dinner in Lombok: $60
  • Kids Cooking Class at Tugu Hotel Lombok: $63
  • Exquisite Dinner with Spectacular View at Tugu Hotel Lombok: $64
  • Traditional Cooking Class Experience With Recipes From The Past Generations: $67

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lombok $10
    Vientiane $3.54

Tours and Activities in Lombok

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

  • Gili T Island: The Thrilling Sunset Snorkeling Adventure: $17
  • Lombok Private Custom Tour - Lombok Car Hire with Driver : $31
  • Mataram Lombok Historical City tour: $49
  • Complete your Lombok Holiday with Lombok Instagram Tour: $50
  • Private Lombok Hidden Beach Tour: Elak Elak, Sekotong, and Mekaki Beach: $50
  • Beach Tour in Lombok Indonesia: $51
  • Tiu Kelep and Sendang Gile Waterfall Trekking Tour: $55
  • Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep Waterfall Tour - Private Day Tour: $55
  • One Day Tour Pink Beach East Lombok Excursion: $55
  • Lombok Sasak Culture Tour from Mataram: $59
  • Private Lombok Cycling Tour : Lingsar Temple, Rice Field, Village & Market Tour: $59
  • Best Lombok Rice Terrace Walking Tour With Waterfall & Monkey: $60

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lombok $8.15
    Vientiane $2.35


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



When is the best time to visit Lombok 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 Lombok or Vientiane in the Summer?

Both Vientiane and Lombok during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Lombok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round.

Vientiane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Lombok usually gets less rain in July than Vientiane. Lombok gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

In July, Lombok is generally cooler than Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 26°C (79°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 30°C (85°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Lombok 26°C (79°F) 
    Vientiane 30°C (85°F)

Should I visit Lombok or Vientiane in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lombok and Vientiane. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Lombok gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Lombok usually receives more rain than Vientiane. Lombok gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Lombok is around the same temperature as Vientiane in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Vientiane fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Lombok 28°C (82°F) 
    Vientiane 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Lombok or Vientiane in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lombok as well as Vientiane. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.

Lombok usually gets more rain in January than Vientiane. Lombok gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. In the winter, Lombok often gets less sunshine than Vientiane. Lombok gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 254 hours of full sun.

In the winter, Lombok is a little warmer than Vientiane. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lombok in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Vientiane averages at about 24°C (75°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Lombok 28°C (82°F) 
    Vientiane 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Lombok or Vientiane in the Spring?

Both Vientiane and Lombok are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lombok throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Lombok usually receives more rain than Vientiane. Lombok gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

It's very hot in Vientiane this time of the year. In April, Lombok is generally cooler than Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 28°C (82°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 31°C (88°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Lombok 28°C (82°F) 
    Vientiane 31°C (88°F)

Typical Weather for Vientiane and Lombok

Lombok Vientiane
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 97 mm (3.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 26°C (79°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 29°C (85°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Apr 28°C (82°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 31°C (88°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 30°C (87°F) 255 mm (10 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 30°C (86°F) 273 mm (10.7 in)
Jul 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 30°C (85°F) 266 mm (10.5 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 29°C (85°F) 323 mm (12.7 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 29°C (84°F) 295 mm (11.6 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 109 mm (4.3 in) 28°C (83°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 216 mm (8.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 24°C (74°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)


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