Which place is cheaper, Guilin 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 Guilin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Guilin? 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 Guilin?
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.
Guilin
Guilin is a city in Southern China situated on the west bank of the Li River with Hunan to the north. Its name means, "Forest of Sweet Osmanthus," owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. Products like tea, sugar, and wine, can be made from the tree and are found in many shops throughout Guilin. A popular tourist destination, the city is renowned for its scenery of karst topography with unique mountains jutting out of the urban landscape.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.
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Vang Vieng Prices
Laos PricesGuilin Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $19Guilin $84
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $19, while the average daily cost in Guilin is $84. 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 Guilin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.25Guilin $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.50Guilin $70
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Guilin
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng or Guilin? 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 $3.11Guilin $5.85
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 Guilin
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:
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Taxi$2.80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:
- Private Transfer from/to Zhangjiajie to Guilin: $387
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Chengyang Dong Village: $267
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Longji rice terraces area: $267
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Hongjiang: $267
- Private Transfer: Guilin to/from Zhangjiajie/Fenghuang: $256
- Guilin Airport to Yangshuo: Private Transfer for up to 15 Pax: $190
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Zhaoxing and stops at Longji terraces: $168
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo/Guilin to Sanjiang and stops Longji Rice Terraces: $160
- Private Transfer from Haikou (HAK) airport to/from Sanya hotel: $120
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Guilin hotel: $120
- Guilin Private Transfer in English-speaking Services: Airport to Hotel Roundtrip: $99
- 2-hours Yangshuo Yulong Bamboo Boat Tour with the Round-way Private Transfers: $83
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Guilin?
Prices for flights to both Guilin 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 $11Guilin $39
Typical Food Prices in Guilin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Guilin:
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Fresh Coconut Drink$1.40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guilin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guilin.
- Half day Yangshuo Cooking lesson Small Group Tour: $62
- Full-Day Li-River with the 4 Star Luxury Boat VIP Room and Yangshuo Cooking Tour: $286
- Countryside Cycling 1-day Tour with Cooking Class: $306
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.76Guilin $28
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
- Vangrong Full Day Tour: $45
- Vang Vieng Shared Tour with Kayaking in Nam Song River: $48
- Vang Vieng Bike Tour: $49
- One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng : $50
- Kayaking&Zipline&Cave Tubing&cave tour: $51
- Vangrong One Day Shared Tour: $52
- Vang Vieng Tour B - Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour: $55
- Laos: Jungle Zipline and Caving Tour: $58
Typical Entertainment Prices in Guilin
Here are a few typical costs in Guilin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to the Caves$17
Tours and Activities in Guilin
Here are a few actual costs in Guilin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2-Day Self-Guided Guilin Tour with 4 Star Boat, Yangshuo and Longji Terraces : $200
- Longji Rice Terraces Day Tour with the Ping'an and Dazhai Village: $209
- 1 Day Congjiang Ethnic Dong Village Private Tour from Guilin: $219
- 1 Day Guilin Sanjiang Tour to Dong Villages: $169
- 1 Day Guilin Tour: Village Visit, Waterfall Viewing, Hiking: $230
- 1 Day Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Biking Adventure: $72
- 1 Day Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo with Private Guide: $209
- 1 Day Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo with Private Guide & Driver: $209
- 1 Day Private Cruise Tour at Li River from Guilin with Biking: $198
- 1 Day Private Longji Rice Terraces and Minority Village Tour: $202
- 1 Day Private Tour: Li River Cruise from Guilin & Yangshuo Biking: $172
- 1 Day Relaxing Guilin Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Tour: $205
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.11Guilin $5.81
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Guilin, we can see that Guilin is more expensive. And not only is Vang Vieng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Guilin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guilin 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 Guilin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Guilin?
Guilin has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Guilin, 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 Guilin?
Guilin 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 Guilin in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Guilin. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Vang Vieng is cooler than Guilin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vang Vieng in July average around 22°C (72°F), and Guilin averages at about 30°C (86°F).
It's quite rainy in Guilin. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in July than Guilin. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)Guilin 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Guilin in the Autumn?
Both Guilin and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year.
In October, Vang Vieng is generally around the same temperature as Guilin. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Guilin fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In October, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Guilin. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Guilin 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Guilin in the Winter?
Both Guilin and Vang Vieng during the winter 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 Guilin in the winter. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Guilin fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
Vang Vieng usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Guilin. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)Guilin 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Guilin in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Guilin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round.
In the spring, Vang Vieng is a little warmer than Guilin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vang Vieng in April average around 23°C (73°F), and Guilin averages at about 20°C (68°F).
Guilin receives a lot of rain in the spring. Vang Vieng gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Guilin. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Guilin 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Guilin and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | Guilin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.