Which place is cheaper, Vientiane or Sukhothai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Sukhothai 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 Sukhothai and Vientiane can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Sukhothai or Vientiane?
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.
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 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.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySukhothai $59Vientiane $15
The average daily cost (per person) in Sukhothai is $59, 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 Sukhothai and Vientiane in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSukhothai $23Vientiane $6.01
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSukhothai $46Vientiane $12
Compare Hotels in Sukhothai and Vientiane
Looking for a hotel in Sukhothai 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: Sukhothai Hotel Prices and Vientiane Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sukhothai $17Vientiane $2.08
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sukhothai
Also for Sukhothai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sukhothai airport: Transfer to Sukhothai Historical Park: $78
- Sukhothai : private car transfer to/from Chiang Mai: $138
- Sukhothai Hotel Transfer: to/from Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: $159
- One -Way Private Transfer to Chiang Mai: $187
- Private Transfer to Bangkok City: $268
- Private Transfer to Bangkok City: $322
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:
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $29
- Vientiane Private Airport and Hotel Transfers: $9.00
- Vientiane Airport Transfer: Wattay airport to hotel - Private transfer: $15
- Vientiane - Hanoi Sleeping Bus Transfer : $63
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Private Transfer in Laos: $5.00
Is it cheaper to fly into Sukhothai or Vientiane?
Prices for flights to both Vientiane and Sukhothai 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 daySukhothai $19Vientiane $6.32
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.Sukhothai $33Vientiane $3.54
Tours and Activities in Sukhothai
For Sukhothai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2.5-Hours Guided Countryside Sunset Bike Tour: $18
- Half-Day Countryside Bike Tour: $26
- Cycling Sukhothai Full Day Countryside Tour: $32
- Historical Park & Countryside Cycling Tour: $42
- Full-Day Historical Park Cycling Tour with Lunch: $42
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 daySukhothai $12Vientiane $2.35
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sukhothai and Vientiane, we can see that Sukhothai 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 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 Vientiane.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sukhothai Expensive? and Is Vientiane Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sukhothai or Vientiane?
Vientiane has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Sukhothai. When comparing the sizes of Sukhothai 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 Sukhothai 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 Sukhothai or Vientiane in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sukhothai as well as Vientiane. Sukhothai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Vientiane. Sukhothai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sukhothai usually gets less rain in July than Vientiane. Sukhothai gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Sukhothai often gets more sunshine than Vientiane. Sukhothai gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 141 hours of full sun.
Sukhothai is around the same temperature as Vientiane in the summer. The daily temperature in Sukhothai averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Vientiane fluctuates around 30°C (85°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySukhothai 29°C (84°F)Vientiane 30°C (85°F)
Should I visit Sukhothai or Vientiane in the Autumn?
Both Vientiane and Sukhothai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sukhothai 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 Sukhothai is October to April. The rainy season in Sukhothai is May to October. It's quite rainy in Sukhothai. In October, Sukhothai usually receives more rain than Vientiane. Sukhothai gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
It's quite sunny in Vientiane. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sukhothai. Sukhothai usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Vientiane during autumn. Sukhothai gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Sukhothai is around the same temperature as Vientiane. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sukhothai in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Vientiane averages at about 28°C (83°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSukhothai 28°C (83°F)Vientiane 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Sukhothai or Vientiane in the Winter?
Both Vientiane and Sukhothai during the winter 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 Vientiane year-round.
Sukhothai usually gets more rain in January than Vientiane. Sukhothai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sukhothai. In the winter, Sukhothai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vientiane. Sukhothai gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 254 hours of full sun.
In January, Sukhothai is generally around the same temperature as Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Sukhothai average around 25°C (77°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySukhothai 25°C (77°F)Vientiane 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Sukhothai or Vientiane in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sukhothai and Vientiane. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sukhothai year-round. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
October to April in Sukhothai is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Sukhothai. In April, Sukhothai usually receives less rain than Vientiane. Sukhothai gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane this time of the year. In Sukhothai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sukhothai usually receives more sunshine than Vientiane during spring. Sukhothai gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 230 hours of full sun in the spring.
The heat can be very extreme in Vientiane. It's very hot in Sukhothai this time of the year. Sukhothai is around the same temperature as Vientiane in the spring. The daily temperature in Sukhothai averages around 32°C (89°F) in April, and Vientiane fluctuates around 31°C (88°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSukhothai 32°C (89°F)Vientiane 31°C (88°F)
Typical Weather for Vientiane and Sukhothai
| Sukhothai | Vientiane | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Mar | 30°C (86°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 31°C (87°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (85°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 257 mm (10.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 241 mm (9.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 6 mm (0.2 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.