Which place is cheaper, Vientiane or Petra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Petra 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 Petra and Vientiane can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Petra or Vientiane?
Petra
Whether you're checking off the Seven Wonders of the World, or you're just a huge Indiana Jones fan, the city of Petra must be on your bucket list. The "rose red city, half as old as time," was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom in the 6th century BC. It was the center for trade and commerce until an earthquake took out buildings and destroyed their water management system. After this destruction, the city of Petra seemed to be lost to western civilization.
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 Historical Tours in Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPetra $125Vientiane $15
The average daily cost (per person) in Petra is $125, 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 Petra and Vientiane in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPetra $59Vientiane $6.01
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPetra $118Vientiane $12
Compare Hotels in Petra and Vientiane
Looking for a hotel in Petra 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: Petra Hotel Prices and Vientiane Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Petra $23Vientiane $2.08
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Ma'in Hotel and vice versa: $73
- Petra to Wadi Rum Private Transfer: $80
- Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
- Private Transfer from Petra City Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $93
- Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional : $99
- Petra Private Transfer to or from Aqaba: $105
- Petra to Aqaba South Beach Hotels Private Transfer: $110
- Private transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $118
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
- Private Transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $135
- Petra to Madaba Private Transfer: $140
- Petra to Sheikh Hussein Crossing Border Private Transfer: $180
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:
- Private Transfer in Laos: $5.00
- Vientiane Private Airport and Hotel Transfers: $9.00
- Vientiane Airport Transfer: Wattay airport to hotel - Private transfer: $15
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $29
- Vientiane - Hanoi Sleeping Bus Transfer : $63
Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or Vientiane?
Prices for flights to both Vientiane and Petra 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 dayPetra $38Vientiane $6.32
Typical Food Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of dining costs in Petra are as follows:
-
Dinner for Two$12
-
Juice$1.76
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Petra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Petra.
- Cooking outside in little Petra between the Mountains. : $45
- Private Outdoor bedouin Dinner in Petra: $300
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.Petra $47Vientiane $3.54
Typical Entertainment Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Petra are as follows:
-
Entry to Petra for One$71
Tours and Activities in Petra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Petra are as follows:
- 3-hour Private Guided Tour In Petra with hotel pick up.: $75
- Private Indiana-Jones Archeological Trail Tour: $90
- Private Half-Day Tour of Petra with Lunch: $120
- Wadi Rum Day Tour from Petra ending in Aqaba: $138
- Private Petra Back Entrance Tour with Guide .: $140
- 3 Hour Horse Riding Adventure around the Petra Area: $145
- Wadi Rum Private Tour from Petra with Martian and Star Wars Film Site: $173
- Petra Back Entrance Private Walking Tour: $215
- Private Full-Day Tour to Petra and Wadi Rum from Dead Sea: $269
- Private Back Trail Tour of Petra starting from the Monastery : $276
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPetra $15Vientiane $2.35
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Petra and Vientiane, we can see that Petra is more expensive. And not only is Vientiane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Petra is in Middle East and Vientiane 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 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 Petra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Petra 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 Petra Expensive? and Is Vientiane Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Petra or Vientiane?
Vientiane has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Petra. When comparing the sizes of Petra 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 Petra 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 Petra or Vientiane in the Summer?
Both Vientiane and Petra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Petra throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. In July, Petra usually receives less rain than Vientiane. Petra gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Petra. Petra usually receives more sunshine than Vientiane during summer. Petra gets 384 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 141 hours of full sun in the summer.
The heat can be very extreme in Petra. In the summer, Petra is around the same temperature as Vientiane. Typically, the summer temperatures in Petra in July average around 33°C (91°F), and Vientiane averages at about 30°C (85°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyPetra 33°C (91°F)Vientiane 30°C (85°F)
Should I visit Petra or Vientiane in the Autumn?
Both Vientiane and Petra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Petra because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round.
Petra usually gets less rain in October than Vientiane. Petra gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Petra. In the autumn, Petra often gets more sunshine than Vientiane. Petra gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 222 hours of full sun.
In October, Petra is generally around the same temperature as Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 27°C (80°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPetra 27°C (80°F)Vientiane 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Petra or Vientiane in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Petra and Vientiane. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Petra year-round. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Petra usually receives more rain than Vientiane. Petra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane this time of the year. In Petra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Petra usually receives less sunshine than Vientiane during winter. Petra gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.
Petra is much colder than Vientiane in the winter. The daily temperature in Petra averages around 15°C (59°F) in January, and Vientiane fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPetra 15°C (59°F)Vientiane 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Petra or Vientiane in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Petra as well as Vientiane. Petra attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.
Petra usually gets less rain in April than Vientiane. Petra gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Petra this time of the year. In the spring, Petra often gets more sunshine than Vientiane. Petra gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 230 hours of full sun.
Vientiane can become quite hot in the spring. In the spring, Petra is cooler than Vientiane. Typically, the spring temperatures in Petra in April average around 25°C (76°F), and Vientiane averages at about 31°C (88°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilPetra 25°C (76°F)Vientiane 31°C (88°F)
Typical Weather for Vientiane and Petra
| Petra | Vientiane | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 15°C (59°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) |
| Aug | 32°C (90°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) |
| Sep | 30°C (87°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (62°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.