A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Luxor vs. Vang Vieng for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Luxor or Vang Vieng?

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

Should I visit Luxor or Vang Vieng? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Luxor or Vang Vieng?

Luxor

Egypt is surely on the top of every history lover's bucket list. Nowhere is the history more engrossing than in Luxor. From amazing monuments dating back to ancient Thebes to rows of temples up the Nile, this remarkable city is full the stories of past greatness.

The East Bank – or the central part of Luxor Township – is the hotbed for tourism. This is where most of the hotels and resorts are, while the West Bank is home to the ancient ruins and archaeological wonders you'll want to explore.

Before traveling to Egypt, be sure to check on the current affairs and political climate. It could have a major effect on the amount of tourists visiting, and, if conditions are too dangerous, you may want to reschedule. Also note, ladies, to avoid any issues, dress modestly. This is a very conservative region of the world. The less skin showing, the better.

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 Sightseeing Tours in Egypt, The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt, The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, and The Best Budget Tours to Laos.


Which place is cheaper, Vang Vieng or Luxor?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Luxor Prices
    Egypt Prices
    Vang Vieng Prices
    Laos Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Luxor $33
    Vang Vieng $19

The average daily cost (per person) in Luxor is $33, while the average daily cost in Vang Vieng is $19. 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 Luxor and Vang Vieng in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Luxor $11
    Vang Vieng $4.25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Luxor $22
    Vang Vieng $8.50
Compare Hotels in Luxor and Vang Vieng

Looking for a hotel in Luxor 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 Luxor


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: Luxor Hotel Prices and Vang Vieng Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Luxor $5.64
    Vang Vieng $3.11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luxor

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Luxor:


  • Taxi Ride
    $0.42

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luxor

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Luxor:

  • 3-Night Nile Cruise to Aswan with Transfers and Meals: $643
  • Comfortable Private Transfer from Luxor to El Cairo: $299
  • Private Transfer Luxor To Makadi - Car And Minibus Options: $260
  • Private Car And Minibus Transfer Luxor City To Soma Bay: $254
  • Private Transfer Luxor To Hurghada City - Car And Minibus Options: $247
  • Shared Transfer from Luxor to Aswan: $220
  • Private Pickup Transfers from Luxor to Cairo by Bus : $220
  • One-night Nile Cruise to Aswan with Transfer: $214
  • Luxor Airport (LXR) to El Queseir - Arrival Private Transfer : $195
  • Private transfer - from Luxor to Hurghada and visit Dendara en route: $192
  • Transfer Luxor to Hurghada including a Quad VIP safari adventure : $180
  • Vip Marsa Alam Private Transfer to Luxor: $180

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vang Vieng

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

  • Shared transfer from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang city: $20

Is it cheaper to fly into Luxor or Vang Vieng?

Prices for flights to both Vang Vieng and Luxor 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
    Luxor $16
    Vang Vieng $11

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Luxor

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Luxor.

  • Dinner on the River Nile with Belly Dancing: $31
  • Riding a felucca at Sunset and Dinner an Egyptian House in Luxor: $40
  • 3 Hours Culinary Journey with Family Food Tour in Luxor: $40
  • Luxor City Private Walking and Food Tour: $50
  • Dinner on the River Nile with Belly Dancing in luxor: $60
  • Saray El Nile restaurant Dinner : $60
  • Enjoy Lunch or Dinner on a Luxor Nile River Boat: $60
  • Karnak Sound And Light Show With Dinner, Felucca  : $64
  • private day in east bank & dendera with dinner on boat: $86
  • Luxor Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show with Dinner and Transfers: $95
  • Egyptian cooking class and Luxor museum : $120
  • Full day trip west Bank, Dandara and dinner on a boat.: $128

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Luxor $10
    Vang Vieng $4.76
Typical Entertainment Prices in Luxor

Here are a few typical costs in Luxor for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Boat Ride (for 2)
    $0.57
  • Temple Karnak for Two
    $2.73
  • Camel Ride for Two
    $1.26

Tours and Activities in Luxor

Here are a few actual costs in Luxor for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2 Days Sightseeing Tour of Luxor Highlights: $120
  • Adventure Hot Air Balloon Ride Tour in Luxor: $79
  • Aswan and Abu Simbel private 2 days tour from Luxor : $220
  • Balloon Experience with Personalized Photography: $120
  • Balloon Tour and Sunset Felucca Ride in Luxor with Luxor Tour: $189
  • Balloon, Tour of Temples West Bank and Carter House in Luxor : $54
  • Day Private Tour to Karnak and Luxor Temples: $90
  • Day Tour of Luxor East & West Bank Temples and Tombs of Luxor: $140
  • Day Tour to Dendera and Abydos Temples from Luxor: $80
  • Day Tour to Hathor Temple at Dendera from Luxor by car: $90
  • Day Tour to Karnak temple and luxor temple from luxor: $77
  • Day tour to Aswan from Luxo visit Edfu,Kom Ombo,Phila Temples & Aswan dam.: $276

Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng

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

  • Nam Song River Kayak Tour: $18
  • Tham Nangfar and Tham Nam Day Tour with Kayaking: $24
  • Get Your Laos–China Train Ticket Fast – No Waiting, No Worries: $30
  • Blue Lagoon and Countryside Bike Tour with Lunch: $38
  • Vangrong Full Day Tour: $45
  • Vang Vieng Shared Tour with Kayaking in Nam Song River: $48
  • Vang Vieng Bike Tour: $49
  • One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng : $50
  • Kayaking&Zipline&Cave Tubing&cave tour: $51
  • Vangrong One Day Shared Tour: $52
  • Vang Vieng Tour B - Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour: $55
  • Laos: Jungle Zipline and Caving Tour: $58

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Luxor $3.10
    Vang Vieng $1.11


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luxor and Vang Vieng, we can see that Luxor is more expensive. And not only is Vang Vieng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Luxor is in Africa and Vang Vieng is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Luxor would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Luxor 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 Luxor Expensive? and Is Vang Vieng Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Luxor or Vang Vieng?

Luxor has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Luxor 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.


When is the best time to visit Luxor or Vang Vieng?

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 Luxor or Vang Vieng in the Summer?

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

Luxor usually gets less rain in July than Vang Vieng. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

The heat can be very extreme in Luxor. In the summer, Luxor is a little warmer than Vang Vieng. Typically, the summer temperatures in Luxor in July average around 33°C (91°F), and Vang Vieng averages at about 22°C (72°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Luxor 33°C (91°F) 
    Vang Vieng 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Luxor or Vang Vieng in the Autumn?

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

In October, Luxor usually receives less rain than Vang Vieng. Luxor gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

In October, Luxor is generally around the same temperature as Vang Vieng. Daily temperatures in Luxor average around 25°C (77°F), and Vang Vieng fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Luxor 25°C (77°F) 
    Vang Vieng 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Luxor or Vang Vieng in the Winter?

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

Luxor usually gets less rain in January than Vang Vieng. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Luxor is much colder than Vang Vieng in the winter. The daily temperature in Luxor averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Vang Vieng fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Luxor 14°C (57°F) 
    Vang Vieng 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Luxor or Vang Vieng in the Spring?

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

It rains a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. In April, Luxor usually receives less rain than Vang Vieng. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

In the spring, Luxor is around the same temperature as Vang Vieng. Typically, the spring temperatures in Luxor in April average around 25°C (77°F), and Vang Vieng averages at about 23°C (73°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Luxor 25°C (77°F) 
    Vang Vieng 23°C (73°F)

Typical Weather for Vang Vieng and Luxor

Luxor Vang Vieng
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 0 mm (0 in) 24°C (75°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Feb 15°C (59°F) 0 mm (0 in) 24°C (75°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Mar 20°C (68°F) 0 mm (0 in) 24°C (75°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 25°C (77°F) 0 mm (0 in) 23°C (73°F) 188 mm (7.4 in)
May 30°C (86°F) 0 mm (0 in) 23°C (73°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Jun 32°C (90°F) 0 mm (0 in) 22°C (72°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Jul 33°C (91°F) 0 mm (0 in) 22°C (72°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Aug 31°C (88°F) 0 mm (0 in) 22°C (72°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Sep 30°C (86°F) 0 mm (0 in) 23°C (73°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 1 mm (0 in) 23°C (73°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 0 mm (0 in) 23°C (73°F) 113 mm (4.4 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 0 mm (0 in) 23°C (73°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)