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

Should you visit Tartu or Vang Vieng?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tartu and Vang Vieng can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Tartu or Vang Vieng?

Tartu

Tartu is a university town that is also the second largest city in Estonia. It has a population of about 100,000 and dates back to 1030, making it the oldest city in the country. The Emajogi River passes through town and it has a lovely old town that's pleasant to explore. The city is a great place to see day to day life in Estonia. It is a very real town with people going about their daily lives. If you find yourself here when the weather is nice, you'll be greeted by crowds of happy locals out enjoying the weather. They make full use of the warm, sunny weather with festivals, events, and concerts during the summer. This is easily the most fun and eventful time to visit the city.

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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Estonia, The Best Budget Tours to Estonia, The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, and The Best Budget Tours to Laos.


Which place is cheaper, Vang Vieng or Tartu?

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

  • Tartu Prices
    Estonia Prices
    Vang Vieng Prices
    Laos Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Tartu 132
    Vang Vieng 16

The average daily cost (per person) in Tartu is €132, while the average daily cost in Vang Vieng is €16. 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 Tartu and Vang Vieng in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tartu 47
    Vang Vieng 3.57
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tartu 94
    Vang Vieng 7.14
Compare Hotels in Tartu and Vang Vieng

Looking for a hotel in Tartu 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 Tartu


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: Tartu Hotel Prices and Vang Vieng Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tartu 27
    Vang Vieng 2.62

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
  • Vang Vieng Private Transfer: Hotel - Railway Station - Vientiane: $11

Is it cheaper to fly into Tartu or Vang Vieng?

Prices for flights to both Vang Vieng and Tartu 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
    Tartu 65
    Vang Vieng 8.99
Typical Food Prices in Tartu

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tartu:


  • Danishes
    0.76
  • Lunch for Two
    4.93
  • Ice Cream
    1.27
  • Cookies
    0.51
  • Coffee & Cake
    3.47

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tartu 16
    Vang Vieng 4.01
Typical Entertainment Prices in Tartu

For Tartu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Art Museum ticket
    0.95
  • Movie Ticket
    3.47

Tours and Activities in Tartu

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

  • Around Viljandi bike tour: $29
  • Charming Viljandi Private Walking Tour for Couples: $257
  • Dazzling Tartu City Cultural Private Walking Tour: $751
  • Magical Tartu Romantic Private Walking Tour: $751
  • Private Horse-Drawn Sleigh Adventures: $212
  • TARTU COUNTRY: SLED DOG TOUR AND KENNEL VISIT: $141

Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng

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

  • 1 Day Guided Tour in Cave from Vang Vieng: $175
  • BBQ Lunch Cruise on Nam Ngum Lake: $50
  • Get Your Laos–China Train Ticket Fast – No Waiting, No Worries: $30
  • Laos: Jungle Zipline and Caving Tour: $58
  • Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike and Blue Lagoon Tour: $79
  • One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng: $50
  • Paramotor Experience in Vang Vieng Laos: $165
  • Vang Vieng 1-Day Cave Exploration Tour with Guide: $175
  • Vang Vieng 2 Day Shared Hot Air Balloon Tour: $269
  • Vang Vieng Ballooning Adventures: $260
  • Vang Vieng Day Tour - Longtail boat, Paragliding: $175
  • Vang Vieng Day Tour: Zipline, Water Cave, Kayak & Blue Lagoon 3: $52

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tartu 16
    Vang Vieng 0.94


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


Which is Bigger, Tartu or Vang Vieng?

Tartu has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Tartu 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 Tartu or Vang Vieng?

Tartu has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Vang Vieng experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Vang Vieng in the Summer?

Both Vang Vieng and Tartu are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Tartu for the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Tartu is cooler than Vang Vieng in the summer. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Vang Vieng fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tartu. Tartu usually receives more sunshine than Vang Vieng during summer. Tartu gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Vang Vieng receives 141 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Tartu usually receives more rain than Vang Vieng. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Tartu 17°C (62°F) 
    Vang Vieng 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Tartu or Vang Vieng in the Autumn?

Both Vang Vieng and Tartu during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Tartu in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round.

In the autumn, Tartu is much colder than Vang Vieng. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tartu in October average around 6°C (43°F), and Vang Vieng averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In Vang Vieng, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Vang Vieng. Tartu gets 86 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vang Vieng receives 222 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in October than Vang Vieng. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tartu 6°C (43°F) 
    Vang Vieng 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Tartu or Vang Vieng in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Vang Vieng. Most visitors come to Tartu for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Tartu can be very cold during winter. In January, Tartu is generally much colder than Vang Vieng. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around -7°C (19°F), and Vang Vieng fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vang Vieng this time of the year. Tartu usually receives less sunshine than Vang Vieng during winter. Tartu gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while Vang Vieng receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tartu usually receives less rain than Vang Vieng. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Tartu -7°C (19°F) 
    Vang Vieng 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Tartu or Vang Vieng in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Vang Vieng. The spring months attract visitors to Tartu because of the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year.

The weather in Tartu can be very cold. Tartu is much colder than Vang Vieng in the spring. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 5°C (41°F) in April, and Vang Vieng fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. In the spring, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Vang Vieng. Tartu gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vang Vieng receives 230 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Vang Vieng. Tartu usually gets less rain in April than Vang Vieng. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Tartu 5°C (41°F) 
    Vang Vieng 23°C (73°F)

Typical Weather for Vang Vieng and Tartu

Tartu Vang Vieng
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -7°C (19°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 24°C (75°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Feb -6°C (20°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 24°C (75°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Mar -2°C (29°F) 26 mm (1 in) 24°C (75°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 5°C (41°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 23°C (73°F) 188 mm (7.4 in)
May 11°C (53°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 23°C (73°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 22°C (72°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Aug 16°C (61°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Sep 11°C (52°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Oct 6°C (43°F) 52 mm (2 in) 23°C (73°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Nov 1°C (33°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 23°C (73°F) 113 mm (4.4 in)
Dec -4°C (25°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 23°C (73°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)