Which place is cheaper, Vientiane or Phuket?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Vientiane, 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.
Phuket Island is the tourist mecca of southern Thailand. Known for its beaches and resorts, the island brings in a massive amount of travelers from all over the world, year round. Although the beaches are beautiful, Phuket has also become more westernized and tourist-oriented in recent decades, leaving many travelers to venture elsewhere to find that amazing beach with a more authentic Thai vibe. However, Phuket Island is quite large, and hidden gems can still be found.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $105, 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 Phuket and Vientiane in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Phuket 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:
Prices for flights to both Vientiane and Phuket 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vientiane.
Here are a few typical costs in Phuket for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Phuket from other travelers:
Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Vientiane, we can see that Phuket 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 Phuket would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phuket 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 Phuket Expensive? and Is Vientiane Expensive?.
Vientiane has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket 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.
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.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Vientiane. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Vientiane receives a lot of rain in the summer. Phuket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Phuket usually receives around the same amount of rain as Vientiane. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In Phuket, it's very sunny this time of the year. Phuket usually receives more sunshine than Vientiane during summer. Phuket gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 141 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Phuket is generally around the same temperature as Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 28°C (82°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 30°C (85°F).
The autumn brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Vientiane. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.
Also, December to March in Phuket is the dry season. June to October in Phuket is the rainy season. Phuket receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Phuket usually gets more rain in October than Vientiane. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. In the autumn, Phuket often gets less sunshine than Vientiane. Phuket gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 222 hours of full sun.
Phuket is around the same temperature as Vientiane in the autumn. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Vientiane fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
Both Vientiane and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket 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 Phuket is December to March. In January, Phuket usually receives more rain than Vientiane. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Vientiane. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually receives more sunshine than Vientiane during winter. Phuket gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, Phuket is a little warmer than Vientiane. Typically, the winter temperatures in Phuket in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Vientiane averages at about 24°C (75°F).
Both Vientiane and Phuket during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round.
June to October is the rainy season in Phuket. It rains a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually gets more rain in April than Vientiane. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Phuket. In the spring, Phuket often gets more sunshine than Vientiane. Phuket gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 230 hours of full sun.
It's very hot in Vientiane this time of the year. In April, Phuket is generally around the same temperature as Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 29°C (84°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 31°C (88°F).
Phuket | 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) |