Which place is cheaper, Auckland 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 Auckland?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Auckland? 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 Auckland?
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.
Auckland
Auckland is located on the North Island of New Zealand on an isthmus between the Northland Peninsula and the other parts of the North Island. Auckland is not only a city but also a region. In 2010 New Zealand combined what had previously been four separate cities into one region. These cities include the southern city of Manukau, the western city of Waitakere, the North Shore in the north, and Auckland City. The City of Auckland is the largest city in Polynesia and is very diverse with many expatriates from elsewhere in Polynesia. This diversity becomes most apparent in Auckland's many festivals and sporting events.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand.
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Vang Vieng Prices
Laos PricesAuckland Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $19Auckland $170
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $19, while the average daily cost in Auckland is $170. 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 Auckland in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.25Auckland $99
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.50Auckland $198
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Auckland
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng or Auckland? 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 and Auckland Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vang Vieng $3.11Auckland $17
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Auckland
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Auckland:
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Bus from Airport$9.47
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Airport Shuttle$15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Auckland
Also for Auckland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Hobbiton Private Transfers with Group Tour: $516
- Auckland Airport (AKL) to North Shore-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $221
- Private Transfer From Auckland Airport To Thames: $201
- Rotorua to Auckland - Afternoon Transfer with Waitomo Caves: $188
- Private Transfer From Auckland Airport To Cambridge : $180
- Private Airport Transfers and Tours: $168
- Private Luxury Transfer To/Fr City in Mercedes Van: $162
- Private One-Way Transfer: Auckland Airport to Hamilton/Rotorua: $162
- Airport Transfer: Auckland to Auckland Airport AKL by Luxury Car: $152
- Auckland Airport Transfers: Auckland Airport AKL to Auckland in Luxury Car: $152
- Auckland's Point to Point Transfers : $150
- Auckland Cruise/Wharf & Airport Transfers : $144
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Auckland?
Prices for flights to both Auckland 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 $11Auckland $46
Typical Food Prices in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Breakfast$4.73
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Harbour Sailing Cruise with 3-Course Dinner: $93
- Flavours of the City Walking Food Tour: $101
- Auckland Harbour Sailboat Cruise Including Three Course Dinner: $102
- Waiheke Island: Private Sunset Wine Tour & 2 Course Dinner: $392
- Māori Evening Dinner and Private Show Experience: $519
- From Kiwi Bird Encounter & 3-Course Dinner Tour: $550
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.76Auckland $27
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
- Get Your Laos–China Train Ticket Fast – No Waiting, No Worries: $30
- Laos: Jungle Zipline and Caving Tour: $58
- Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour in Vang Vieng: $180
- Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike and Blue Lagoon Tour: $79
- One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng : $50
- Vang Vieng 1-Day Cave Exploration Tour with Guide: $175
- Vang Vieng Ballooning Adventures: $260
- Vang Vieng Bike Tour: $49
- Vang Vieng Day Tour - Longtail boat, Paragliding: $175
- Vang Vieng Hot Air Balloon Experience and Longtail Boat: $137
- Vang Vieng Hot Air Balloon Kayak Zipline,Blue lagoon1 Tour: $148
Typical Entertainment Prices in Auckland
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Auckland's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Auckland Sky Tour (for 2)$33
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Waiheke Island Tour (for 2)$119
Tours and Activities in Auckland
For Auckland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Auckland Best Top 5 Spots Half day Tour : $96
- Cathedral Cove & Hot water beach -Full Day Tour: PRIVATE TOUR : $270
- Hobbiton Lord Of Rings Movie Set tour Private Driver : $198
- Hobbiton Movie Set Small Tour from Auckland: $249
- 24 day Greatest Of All Tours Small Group Tour: $3,447
- 4 hours Auckland Friday Night Tour : $78
- 6 Hours Sightseeing Tour in Auckland: $174
- A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Auckland's Hidden Stories: $12
- AUCKLAND CITY Full Day Tour with War Memorial Museum and Mt Eden: $155
- Half-Day CITY HIGHLIGHTS TOUR - Mt.Eden, Tamaki Dr: $86
- Afternoon Piha Beach and Rainforest Tour from Auckland: $117
- America’s Cup 2-Hour Sailing Experience Waitemata Harbour: $122
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.11Auckland $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Auckland
Also in Auckland, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Waiheke Island: Scenic Island Wine Tour & Local Wine Tasting: $110
- Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour in Auckland with 3-Course Vineyard Lunch: $119
- Waiheke Island: The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour: $159
- Kumeu Wine Tour: $165
- Waiheke Island: Wine Tour & Lunch at Award Winning Venue: $168
- From Small Group Kumeu Wine Tour with Lunch: $180
- Small-Group Kumeu Wine Country Tour with Wine Tastings & Lunch: $180
- Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour with Platter Lunch: $183
- City Tour with Wine Tasting and Black Sand Beach: $217
- Shore Excursion from Auckland - Private Tour & Wine Tasting: $278
- Waiheke Island Scenic Wine Tour: $301
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Auckland, we can see that Auckland 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 Auckland is in Pacific, 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 Auckland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Auckland 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 Auckland Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Auckland?
Auckland has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Auckland, 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 Auckland?
Auckland 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 Auckland in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Auckland. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Auckland for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Vang Vieng is generally a little warmer than Aucklandin January. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 22°C (72°F), and Auckland fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Auckland this time of the year. Vang Vieng usually receives less sunshine than Auckland during summer. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Auckland receives 240 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Aucklandin January. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)Auckland 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Auckland in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Auckland. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Auckland in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.
Vang Vieng is a little warmer than Auckland in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Auckland fluctuates around 16°C (61°F)in April.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vang Vieng this time of the year. In the autumn, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Aucklandin April. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auckland receives 162 hours of full sun.
Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in October than Aucklandin April. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Auckland 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Auckland in the Winter?
Both Auckland and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Auckland for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Auckland. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vang Vieng in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Auckland averages at about 11°C (52°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Auckland during winter. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Auckland receives 141 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Auckland. In January, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Aucklandin July. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)Auckland 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Auckland in the Spring?
Both Auckland and Vang Vieng during the spring 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 spring months attract visitors to Auckland because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
In April, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Aucklandin October. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Auckland fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
It's quite sunny in Vang Vieng. In the spring, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Aucklandin October. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auckland receives 192 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in April than Aucklandin October. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Auckland 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Auckland and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | Auckland | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 83 mm (3.3 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.