Which place is cheaper, Florence 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 Florence?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Florence? 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 Florence?
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.
Florence
Florence is the capital of Tuscany and one of the most well known cities in Italy for its art and cultural scenes. The city is rooted in history and you can see this in the architecture, statues, gardens, and art that are everywhere around town. This city truly is a living museum. You should allow yourself at least a couple of days to explore Florence and if you can afford more, it is well worth the time. In particular, if art history is your passion then you will need a week or more to satisfy your interest as the museums and architecturally impressive buildings throughout the city are endless.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.
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Vang Vieng Prices
Laos PricesFlorence Prices
Italy Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $18Florence $205
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $18, while the average daily cost in Florence is $205. 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 Florence in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.11Florence $99
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.22Florence $198
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Florence
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng or Florence? 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 Florence Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vang Vieng $3.01Florence $25
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
- Vang Vieng Private Transfer: Hotel - Railway Station - Vientiane: $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Florence
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Florence:
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Taxi Ride Within City$9.11
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Taxi from Airport$28
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In City Parking (Full Day)$34
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Bus Pass (Full Day)$5.69
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Bus From Airport$5.69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Florence
Also for Florence, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Milan to Private Transfer with Bologna Stop: $1,061
- Florence to Genoa hotels - Private Transfer: $300
- Accomodation to Meeting Point Pickup and Transfer Service: $289
- PRIVATE TRANSFER from Florence to Rome with Stops at THE MALL & PRADA OUTLET: $286
- PRIVATE TRANSFER from Florence to Roma with private chauffeur: $263
- Florence Airport Hotel transfer private driver English speaking: $263
- Private Transfer from Firenze (FLR) Airport to San Gimignano: $260
- Private Transfer from Florence Airport (FLR) to Livorno Port: $253
- Private Transfer from Firenze to Pisa (PSA) Airport: $252
- Private Transfer from Florence to Livorno Port: $234
- Bologna Airport Private Transfer from your Hotel in Florence: $229
- PRIVATE TRANSFER from Florence to Cinque Terre with stop in Pisa (2 hrs): $229
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Florence?
Prices for flights to both Florence 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 $10Florence $71
Typical Food Prices in Florence
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Florence:
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Panini Sandwich$7.40
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Florence
For Florence, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Italian Cooking Class Fresh Pasta and Traditional Tiramisu: $22
- Florence Pasta Cooking Class Tagliatelle Ravioli and Tortelloni: $22
- Pasta Cooking Class with Unlimited Wine: $26
- Pasta Cooking Class with Unlimited Wine: $27
- Pasta Cooking Class with Unlimited Wine in Florence: $29
- Florence Old City Street Food Tour and Guided Sightseeing: $33
- Florence Cooking Class: Vegetarian Pasta and Dessert Making: $33
- Hard Rock Cafe Florence with Set Lunch or Dinner: $34
- Florence Pasta & Tiramisu Cooking Class with Unlimited Wine: $34
- Fresh Pasta & Tiramisu Cooking Class +Lots of Good Wine: $45
- Florence Street Food Tour with Walking Sightseeing and Local Guide: $48
- Florence's Food Tour with Authentic Local Tastigs and Sightseeing: $48
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.61Florence $34
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
- Laos: Jungle Zipline and Caving Tour: $58
- Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour in Vang Vieng: $180
- One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng: $50
- Paramotor Experience in Vang Vieng Laos: $165
- Ultimate Kayak, Zipline and Tube Adventure in Vang Vieng: $113
- Vang Vieng 1-Day Cave Exploration Tour with Guide: $175
- Vang Vieng 2 Day Shared Hot Air Balloon Tour: $269
- Vang Vieng Ballooning Adventures: $260
- Vang Vieng Biking Tour to Local Villages and Blue Lagoon: $59
- Vang Vieng Day Tour - Longtail boat, Paragliding: $175
- Vang Vieng Day Tour: Zipline, Water Cave, Kayak & Blue Lagoon 3: $52
Typical Entertainment Prices in Florence
For Florence, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Admission to Uffizi$13
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Phone Booking Fee for Uffizi$4.55
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Firenze Card (for Two)$114
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Audioguides at Uffizi (for Two)$23
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Giotto's Tower Entrance Fee$6.83
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Boboli Gardens Entrance Fee$7.97
Tours and Activities in Florence
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Florence.
- 2 hours sunset walking tour: $217
- 2-Hour Private Evening Walking Guided Tour of Florence Culture: $183
- 3 Hours Private Tour with Personal Photographer in Florence: $159
- 4 WINES TASTING in a Chianti Classico Farm (Visit/tour at the winery included): $32
- 4 Wines & 2 Olive Oils Tasting in Chianti Winery with Tour: $41
- 4 Wines Tasting with 2 Tuscan Cheeses & Tour at the winery: $42
- 90 min Footbike tour in Florence: $29
- Academia Gallery Timed- Entry Tickets: $48
- Academia Gallery VIP Private Guided Tour with 5 Star EXPERT: $172
- Accademia & Uffizi: Entry tickets & self-guided visit app: $100
- Accademia David & Florence Tour for Kids & Families: $262
- Accademia Florence Entry Tickets with Audio Guide: $90
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.08Florence $21
Typical Alcohol Prices in Florence
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Florence from other travelers:
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Glass of Chianti$4.78
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Bottle of Wine$8.54
Sample the Local Flavors in Florence
Also in Florence, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Winery tour and wine tasting of organic Chianti wines and extra virgin oil: $23
- Wine Tasting Activity at Chianti Rufina: $24
- Super Tuscan Wine Tour by Carus Vini: $29
- Florence Nightlife Pub Crawl 3 Bars and 1 Club with Games: $29
- Florence Wine Tasting Experience with Three Types of Tuscan Wine: $30
- From Florence to Chianti Rufina: Wine Tasting Experience: $33
- Classic Wine Tasting in Montalcino: $34
- Cellar Wine Tour: $34
- Wine Tasting of Brunello in a Historic Cellar: $39
- Biodynamic Wine Tasting with Producer in Vinci: $39
- Montefioralle Winery - Tour and Wine Tasting in Chianti: $40
- Chianti Wine Tour: Tuscan Reds: $41
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Florence, we can see that Florence 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 Florence 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 Florence would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Florence 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 Florence Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Florence?
Florence has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Florence, 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 Florence?
Florence 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 Florence in the Summer?
Both Florence and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Florence in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Vang Vieng is generally cooler than Florence. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 22°C (72°F), and Florence fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite sunny in Florence. Vang Vieng usually receives less sunshine than Florence during summer. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Florence receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Florence. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Florence receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)Florence 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Florence in the Autumn?
Both Florence and Vang Vieng during the autumn 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, most visitors come to Florence for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Vang Vieng is a little warmer than Florence in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Florence fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
It's quite sunny in Vang Vieng. In the autumn, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Florence. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Florence receives 177 hours of full sun.
Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in October than Florence. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Florence receives 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Florence 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Florence in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Florence. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Florence because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Florence. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vang Vieng in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Florence averages at about 7°C (45°F).
In Vang Vieng, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Florence during winter. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Florence receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Florence. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Florence receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)Florence 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Florence in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Florence. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Florence this time of year.
In April, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Florence. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Florence fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vang Vieng this time of the year. In the spring, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Florence. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Florence receives 192 hours of full sun.
Vang Vieng receives a lot of rain in the spring. Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in April than Florence. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Florence receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Florence 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Florence and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | Florence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 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.