Which place is cheaper, Alesund or Vang Vieng?
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 Vang Vieng or Alesund?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Alesund? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Vang Vieng or Alesund?
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.
Alesund
Alesund is a port town on the west coast of Norway, at the entrance to the Geirangerfjord. It could be the backdrop for a Nordic fairytale – with a modern plot twist. It's known for the art nouveau architectural style in which most of the town was rebuilt after a fire in 1904, as documented at the Jugendstilsenteret museum. And it's no coincidence that Alesund and the surrounding areas are among the most visited sites for tourists in Norway. Many use The Art Nouveau town as a starting point to explore the renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Geirangerfjord, the bird sanctuary island of Runde, or the spectacular snow-capped summits of the Hjorundfjord and the Sunnmorsalpene. There are panoramic views of Alesund's architecture, the surrounding archipelago and fjords from the Mount Aksla lookout. The town of Alesund has a beautiful setting across several islands stretching out into the Atlantic Ocean and you find unspoilt and beautiful nature the whole year round.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, The Best Tours for Seniors to Norway, and The Best Contiki Tours to Norway.
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Vang Vieng Prices
Laos PricesAlesund Prices
Norway Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $18Alesund $143
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $18, while the average daily cost in Alesund is $143. 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 Vang Vieng and Alesund in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.19Alesund $62
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.38Alesund $124
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Alesund
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng or Alesund? 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: Vang Vieng Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vang Vieng $3.07Alesund $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vang Vieng
Also for Vang Vieng, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Vang Vieng Private Transfer: Hotel - Railway Station - Vientiane: $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alesund
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alesund:
- Private Transfer from Alesund Vigra Airport (AES) to Olden Port: $225
- Private Transfer from Alesund City Hotels to Andalsnes Port: $213
- Private Transfer from Alesund Airport (AES) to Andalsnes Port: $213
- Private Transfer To OR From Airport in Ålesund: $189
- Private Transfer from Alesund City Hotels to Olden Cruise Port: $165
- Aalesund Private Transfer from Aalesund (AES) Airport to City centre: $162
- Private Transfer from Alesund city hotels to Maloy Cruise Port: $160
- Private Transfer from Alesund Airport (AES) to Maloy Cruise Port: $160
- Alesund Vigra Airport (AES) to Alesund hotels-Round Trip Transfer: $104
- Private Transfer from Alesund Vigra Airport (AES) to Alesund Port: $52
- Alesund Vigra Airport (AES) to Alesund - Arrival Private Transfer: $52
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Alesund?
Prices for flights to both Alesund and Vang Vieng 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 dayVang Vieng $11Alesund $61
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.70Alesund $19
Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.
- Nam Song River Kayak Tour: $18
- Tham Nangfar and Tham Nam Day Tour with Kayaking: $24
- Get Your Laos–China Train Ticket Fast – No Waiting, No Worries: $30
- Blue Lagoon and Countryside Bike Tour with Lunch: $38
- One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng: $50
- Vang Vieng Zipline & Kayaking Cave Adventure: $50
- BBQ Lunch Cruise on Nam Ngum Lake: $50
- Kayaking&Zipline&Cave Tubing&cave tour: $51
- Vang Vieng Day Tour: Zipline, Water Cave, Kayak & Blue Lagoon 3: $52
- Vang Vieng Tour B - Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour: $55
- Vang Vieng Jungle Day Tour: $58
- Laos: Jungle Zipline and Caving Tour: $58
Tours and Activities in Alesund
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Alesund are as follows:
- Ålesund - Geiranger - Ålesund Sightseeing Roundtrip: $216
- Ålesund Two Hour Walking City Tour: $48
- 3 Hour Guided Food Walk Tour in Alesund, Norway: $157
- Alesund Shore Excursion: The Atlantic Highlights Tour: $152
- Alesund Shore Excursion: The Ultimate Sightseeing Tour: $140
- Alesund Walking Tour Art Nouveau and Postcard Views: $74
- Trollstigen, Troll Wall & Romsdal Alps Day Tour: $178
- All About the Fjords in One Tour by Boat and Bus from Ålesund: $173
- All About the Fjords in One Tour by Bus and Boat from Ålesund: $172
- Alnes Lighthouse, Sunnmøre Museum, Aksla and City Sightseeing: $139
- E-bike And Hiking Tour In Ålesund: $194
- Experience Molde with Coach Travel: $149
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.10Alesund $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Alesund, we can see that Alesund is more expensive. And not only is Vang Vieng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Vang Vieng is in Asia and Alesund is in Europe, 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 Alesund would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Alesund 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 Vang Vieng Expensive? and Is Alesund Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Alesund?
Alesund has a larger population, and is about 76% larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Alesund, 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 Vang Vieng or Alesund?
Alesund 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 Vang Vieng or Alesund in the Summer?
Both Alesund and Vang Vieng during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Alesund this time of year.
In the summer, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Alesund. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vang Vieng in July average around 22°C (72°F), and Alesund averages at about 12°C (54°F).
Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in July than Alesund. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)Alesund 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Alesund in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Alesund. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Also, many travelers come to Alesund for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Alesund. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
Alesund receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Alesund. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Alesund 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Alesund in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Alesund. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Alesund in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Alesund can get quite cold in the winter. Vang Vieng is much warmer than Alesund in the winter. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Alesund fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
It's quite rainy in Alesund. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in January than Alesund. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)Alesund 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Alesund in the Spring?
Both Alesund and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Alesund for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
Alesund can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Alesund. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vang Vieng in April average around 23°C (73°F), and Alesund averages at about 5°C (40°F).
It's quite rainy in Vang Vieng. In April, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Alesund. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Alesund 5°C (40°F)
Typical Weather for Alesund and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | Alesund | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 108 mm (4.2 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 167 mm (6.6 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.