Which place is cheaper, Vang Vieng or Ubud?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Ubud or Vang Vieng?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ubud and Vang Vieng. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Ubud or Vang Vieng?
Ubud
Made popular by the film Eat Pray Love, Ubud is located in the uplands of Bali, Indonesia. Beautiful Hindu temples and iconic rice fields are the sight to see in this popular cultural, artistic and religious hub on the island.
Though Ubud is hot and humid during the day, it is still cooler than coastal areas. Still, temperatures linger between mid-70's and low 90's year-round, so it is likely you'll experience warm weather, regardless of when you visit.
Ubud's wet season is from November to June, which makes it an unpopular time for travelers. January and February are when Ubud experiences the heaviest rainfall, so it may be wise to avoid visiting at this time, especially since weather will limit activities, bring out insects, and cause landslides and possible flooding.
Dry season runs from July through October, which is high season for travel. Even during dry season, Ubud is extremely humid, so pack lightweight clothing that breathes and lots of sunblock.
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 Indonesia, The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, and The Best Budget Tours to Laos.
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Ubud Prices
Indonesia PricesVang Vieng Prices
Laos Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayUbud $153Vang Vieng $19
The average daily cost (per person) in Ubud is $153, while the average daily cost in Vang Vieng is $19. 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 Ubud and Vang Vieng in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personUbud $128Vang Vieng $4.25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomUbud $256Vang Vieng $8.50
Compare Hotels in Ubud and Vang Vieng
Looking for a hotel in Ubud 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.
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: Ubud Hotel Prices and Vang Vieng Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ubud $1.75Vang Vieng $3.11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ubud
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ubud:
- From Bali: With transfer Paragliding private experience: $245
- Bali New Kuta Golf Package with Private Transfer: $205
- Bali Private Tour Packages 5 Days with AIRPORT OR HOTEL Transfer: $193
- Actively enjoy marine sports / Seawalker + Selectable marine sports (parasailing, etc.) / Round trip hotel transfer included: $171
- Private Tour: Amazing 3 Days Bali Sightseeing Tour Package with Airport Transfer: $170
- Bali Package Tour: 3 Days with AIRPORT or HOTEL TRANSFER: $133
- Kaura: Bike to Beach & Choose Optional Tour with Private Transfer: $128
- Bali Airport Transfer Check in or Check out with VIP Luxury Car: $125
- 240 Minutes Romantic Healing Spa Treatment - Free Transfer: $115
- Kaura Waterfall Hike & Choose Optional Tour with Private Transfer: $112
- Batur Volcano Trekking with Hot-spring, Breakfast and Hotel Transfer: $110
- Seminyak 4-Hour Spa Treatment with Hotel or Airport Transfer: $105
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Ubud or Vang Vieng?
Prices for flights to both Vang Vieng and Ubud 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
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Food Meals for one dayUbud $20Vang Vieng $11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ubud
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ubud.
- Balinese Cooking Class, Rice Field & Market Tour: $16
- Ubud Mystic Dinner at Oracle of Spice Lemuria The Lost City: $17
- Oracle of Spice Mystic Dinner Experience in Bali: $17
- Uluwatu Sunset & Romantic Dinner: $20
- Cooking Class with Transfers and Optional Market Visit: $22
- Balinese Cooking Class and Market Tour: $22
- Ubud : Regular or Vegetarian cooking class with market visit: $22
- Ubud Cooking : All Inclusive Cooking Class: $23
- Dinner Show Lost City - Story of Humanity Experience: $24
- Cooking Class with Market Visit and Hotel Pickup: $25
- Cooking Class and Dinner in Traditional House by Food Lover Tour: $25
- Ubud Cooking Class by Lemon Grass Cooking Class: $26
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ubud $9.84Vang Vieng $4.76
Tours and Activities in Ubud
Here are a few actual costs in Ubud for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Balaji Adventure Bali Quad Bike 350cc and Ayung Rafting: $48
- Bali Rafting and ATV Private Tour Adventure: $105
- Barong Dance and Waterfall tour in Bali: $35
- Best Ubud Tours -All inclusive with private driver: $35
- Explore Bali with Private ATV Ride + Tour with VW Car: $80
- Full Day Private Tour from Tegenungan Waterfall to Tanah Lot: $55
- Full Day Ubud Tour: $95
- Lembongan Snorkeling Swim With Manta Rays and Island Tour: $55
- Mount Batur Jeep Tour and Hot Spring: $24
- Mount Batur Sunrise Jeep Tour & Natural Hot Spring: $40
- Nusa Penida Island West Tour - All Inclusive: $37
- One Day Tour Nusa Penida East & West Part : $49
Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.
- Get Your Laos–China Train Ticket Fast – No Waiting, No Worries: $30
- Vangrong Full Day Tour: $45
- Vang Vieng Shared Tour with Kayaking in Nam Song River: $48
- Vang Vieng Bike Tour: $49
- One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng : $50
- Vangrong One Day Shared Tour: $52
- Vang Vieng Tour B - Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour: $55
- Vang Vieng Jungle Day Tour: $58
- Vang Vieng Kayaking Fun Rapid and Float Tour: $65
- Vang Vieng Kayaking Fun Rapid and Float Tour: $65
- Vang Vieng River Kayaking Rapid and Float Tour: $65
- Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike and Blue Lagoon Tour: $79
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayUbud $6.62Vang Vieng $1.11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ubud and Vang Vieng, we can see that Ubud 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 Ubud would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ubud 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 Ubud Expensive? and Is Vang Vieng Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ubud or Vang Vieng?
Ubud has a larger population, and is about 13% larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Ubud 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.
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.