Which place is cheaper, Bergen 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 Bergen?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Bergen? 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 Bergen?
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.
Bergen
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway, and a major tourist destination due to its proximity and easy access to the fjords in West Norway. The nature that surrounds the city is stunning, and you can easily hop into the nearby countryside for some incredible hikes and outdoor adventures. The city itself is well known for its music and art scenes, making it a cultural haven in the country. There are many reasons to visit Bergen, not the least of which is the people that live there. Bergen is the most hilly city within Norway. It is surrounded by the Seven Mountains, which restrict development and keep the city contained. Situated in the far west of Norway, Bergen can be reached by a very scenic seven hour train ride from Oslo.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, The Best 10-Day Tours in Norway, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Norway.
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Vang Vieng Prices
Laos PricesBergen Prices
Norway Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $18Bergen $155
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $18, while the average daily cost in Bergen is $155. 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 Bergen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.19Bergen $80
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.38Bergen $160
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Bergen
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng or Bergen? 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 Bergen Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vang Vieng $3.07Bergen $11
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 Bergen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bergen:
- TRANSFER, LUXURY VAN 1-7 PAX: Bergen airport transfer: $269
- TRANSFER, STANDARD, 1-7 PAX: Bergen airport transfer: $221
- TRANSFER, LUXURY CAR 1-3 PAX: Bergen airport transfer: $211
- Arrival Private Transfer from Bergen Airport BGO to Bergen City by Minibus: $207
- Bergen Airport Transfer: $206
- TRANSFER, LUXURY VAN 1-7 PAX: Bergen city transfer: $205
- TRANSFER, LUXURY CAR 1-3 PAX: Bergen city transfer: $164
- Arrival Private Transfer from Bergen Airport BGO to Bergen by luxury minivan: $163
- Departure Private Transfer from Bergen City to Bergen Airport BGO by Minivan: $149
- Arrival Private Transfer from Bergen Airport BGO to Bergen by Car: $144
- Private Airport Transfer From Bergen Airport or Hotels in Bergen: $127
- Private Transfer to/from Bergen Airport and City: $113
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Bergen?
Prices for flights to both Bergen 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 $11Bergen $63
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bergen
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bergen.
- Bergen Food Tour: $183
- A Taste of Bergen Food Tour with Floibanen Funicular: $226
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.70Bergen $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 Bergen
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bergen are as follows:
- 1 hour Tour for Herdla Walking: $108
- 3 hours Bergen City Group Tour By Car: $81
- 3-Hour Private Norwegian Hiking Experience with Local Guide: $162
- 3-Hour Private Tour Hiked through the Bergen Mountains: $165
- Bergen Fjord Experience Aboard Viking-style Ship: $119
- Bergen Mostraumen Fjord Cruise with Live Guide: $91
- Bergen Private Walking Tour with a Local: $71
- Bergen Troll Museum Entry Ticket: $27
- Bergen Walking Tour: Explore Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $45
- Bergen in Your Pocket: Landmarks and Lore Audio Tour: $7.99
- Bergen to Flam "The King of Fjords" One-Way or Round-Trip Cruise Ticket: $211
- Bergen's Twilight Magic: An Evening Adventure Walking tour: $167
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.10Bergen $8.12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Bergen, we can see that Bergen 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 Bergen 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 Bergen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bergen 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 Bergen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Bergen?
Bergen has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Bergen, 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 Bergen?
Bergen 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 Bergen in the Summer?
Both Bergen 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. Furthermore, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bergen this time of year.
Vang Vieng is much warmer than Bergen in the summer. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Bergen fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in July than Bergen. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)Bergen 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Bergen in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Bergen. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bergen for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.
In the autumn, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Bergen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vang Vieng in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Bergen averages at about 9°C (48°F).
Bergen receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Bergen. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Bergen 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Bergen in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Bergen. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Bergen in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Bergen can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 24°C (75°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).
It's quite rainy in Bergen. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in January than Bergen. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)Bergen 2°C (35°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Bergen in the Spring?
Both Bergen 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 Bergen for the small town charm during these months.
Vang Vieng is much warmer than Bergen in the spring. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in April, and Bergen fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. It's quite rainy in Vang Vieng. In April, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Bergen. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Bergen 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Bergen and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | Bergen | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 283 mm (11.1 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 271 mm (10.7 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 259 mm (10.2 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 235 mm (9.3 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.