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

Should you visit Sukhothai or Vang Vieng?

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 Sukhothai and Vang Vieng can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Sukhothai or Vang Vieng?

Sukhothai

If you are the kind of wandering traveler looking to find calm and inner peace, you will want to add Sukhothai to your list. Also known as "the dawn of happiness," this area is best known for the ruins of the ancient city of Sukhothai – the capital of Thailand during the 13th century. As the first capital of Siam, the area's temples and monuments are restored and ready for visitors from around the world.

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 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.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sukhothai and Vang Vieng, we can see that Sukhothai is more expensive. And not only is Vang Vieng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Sukhothai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sukhothai 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 Sukhothai Expensive? and Is Vang Vieng Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sukhothai or Vang Vieng?

Sukhothai has a larger population, and is about 48% larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Sukhothai 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 Sukhothai or Vang Vieng?

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 Sukhothai or Vang Vieng in the Summer?

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

Sukhothai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Sukhothai usually receives more rain than Vang Vieng. Sukhothai gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Sukhothai usually receives more sunshine than Vang Vieng during summer. Sukhothai gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Vang Vieng receives 141 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Sukhothai is generally a little warmer than Vang Vieng. Daily temperatures in Sukhothai average around 29°C (84°F), and Vang Vieng fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

Should I visit Sukhothai or Vang Vieng in the Autumn?

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

Also, October to April in Sukhothai is the dry season. May to October in Sukhothai is the rainy season. Sukhothai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sukhothai usually gets more rain in October than Vang Vieng. Sukhothai gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sukhothai this time of the year. In the autumn, Sukhothai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vang Vieng. Sukhothai gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vang Vieng receives 222 hours of full sun.

Sukhothai is a little warmer than Vang Vieng in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sukhothai averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Vang Vieng fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Should I visit Sukhothai or Vang Vieng in the Winter?

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

In January, Sukhothai usually receives less rain than Vang Vieng. Sukhothai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

It's quite sunny in Vang Vieng. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sukhothai. Sukhothai usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Vang Vieng during winter. Sukhothai gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Vang Vieng receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.

In the winter, Sukhothai is around the same temperature as Vang Vieng. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sukhothai in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Vang Vieng averages at about 24°C (75°F).

Should I visit Sukhothai or Vang Vieng in the Spring?

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

October to April is the dry season in Sukhothai. May to October is the rainy season in Sukhothai. Vang Vieng gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Sukhothai usually gets less rain in April than Vang Vieng. Sukhothai gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Vang Vieng, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sukhothai. In the spring, Sukhothai often gets more sunshine than Vang Vieng. Sukhothai gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vang Vieng receives 230 hours of full sun.

Sukhothai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Sukhothai is generally a little warmer than Vang Vieng. Daily temperatures in Sukhothai average around 32°C (89°F), and Vang Vieng fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Typical Weather for Vang Vieng and Sukhothai