Which place is cheaper, Coimbra 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 Coimbra?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Coimbra? 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 Coimbra?
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.
Coimbra
Coimbra is located in Central Portugal in the Centro Region. It's the third largest city in the country with about 460,000 people living in the entire region. It is also where you'll find the University of Coimbra, which is one of the oldest universities in Europe and the oldest academic institution in the Portuguese speaking world. During the High Middle Ages, Coimbra served as the nation's capital and there are archaeological structures that date back to the Roman era.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Portugal, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Portugal.
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Vang Vieng Prices
Laos PricesCoimbra Prices
Portugal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $19Coimbra $162
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $19, while the average daily cost in Coimbra is $162. 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 Coimbra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.25Coimbra $51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.50Coimbra $102
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Coimbra
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng or Coimbra? 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 Coimbra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vang Vieng $3.11Coimbra $13
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Coimbra
Also for Coimbra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Coimbra to Aveiro Costa Nova : $298
- Private Transfer Coimbra to Take Christ's Convent : $274
- Fátima Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $161
- Transfers Aveiro or Coimbra to Lisbon Airport: $159
- Private transfer in Coimbra City : $95
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Coimbra?
Prices for flights to both Coimbra 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 $11Coimbra $97
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Coimbra
For Coimbra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Tomar Cooking Class & Garden-to-Table Meal with Lake Views: $142
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.76Coimbra $21
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
Tours and Activities in Coimbra
For Coimbra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Hours Private Walking Tour in Coimbra : $218
- A tour between Cascades and Schist Villages, Piodão: $155
- An adventure through the Forest and Palace of Bussaco - Coimbra: $89
- An adventure through the Schist Villages of Lousã: $89
- An adventure through the Schist Villages of Lousã (with walk): $155
- Arista Tour - Penacova Windmills and Landscapes (noon): $89
- Buggy Tour in Serra da Lousã 2Hours: $143
- Buracas do Casmilo Private Hiking Tour from Coimbra: $101
- Coimbra Adventure Discovery and Learning with a Local: $42
- Coimbra City Tour : $24
- Coimbra Downhill Tour Highlights History and Student Traditions: $5.96
- Coimbra Downtown Walking Tour with uptown insights : $5.96
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.11Coimbra $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Coimbra
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Coimbra:
- Port Wine Tasting in Coimbra: $72
- Self-drive Wine Tour in Bairrada Region: $251
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Coimbra, we can see that Coimbra 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 Coimbra 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 Coimbra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Coimbra 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 Coimbra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Coimbra?
Coimbra has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Coimbra, 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 Coimbra?
Coimbra 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 Coimbra in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Coimbra. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round.
Vang Vieng is around the same temperature as Coimbra in the summer. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Coimbra fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coimbra this time of the year. Vang Vieng usually receives less sunshine than Coimbra during summer. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Coimbra receives 308 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Coimbra. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)Coimbra 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Coimbra in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Coimbra. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Vang Vieng is a little warmer than Coimbra. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vang Vieng in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Coimbra averages at about 18°C (65°F).
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 Coimbra. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coimbra receives 184 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Coimbra. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in October than Coimbra. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Coimbra 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Coimbra in the Winter?
Both Coimbra 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.
In January, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Coimbra. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 24°C (75°F), and Coimbra fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Coimbra during winter. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Coimbra receives 124 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. In January, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Coimbra. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)Coimbra 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Coimbra in the Spring?
Both Coimbra 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.
Vang Vieng is much warmer than Coimbra in the spring. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in April, and Coimbra fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
In Coimbra, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Vang Vieng. In the spring, Vang Vieng often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Coimbra. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coimbra receives 217 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 Coimbra. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Coimbra receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Coimbra 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Coimbra and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | Coimbra | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 130 mm (5.1 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.