Which place is cheaper, Hofn 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 Hofn?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Hofn? 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 Hofn?
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.
Hofn
Hofn is a very small fishing town on the southeast of Iceland, measuring just over half a mile across. It is best known for being located in the beautiful Vatnajokull Region, where the largest glacier in Europe is located. Hofn, and the surrounding area, is full of breathtaking natural scenery including lagoons, icefalls, and mountains.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Iceland.
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Vang Vieng Prices
Laos PricesHofn Prices
Iceland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $19Hofn $207
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $19, while the average daily cost in Hofn is $207. 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 Hofn in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.25Hofn $113
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.50Hofn $226
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Hofn
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng or Hofn? 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 Hofn Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vang Vieng $3.11Hofn $31
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Hofn?
Prices for flights to both Hofn 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 $11Hofn $73
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.76Hofn $20
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
- 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 Hot Air Balloon Experience and Longtail Boat: $137
- Vang Vieng Hot Air Balloon Kayak Zipline,Blue lagoon1 Tour: $148
- Vang Vieng Jungle Day Tour: $58
- Vang Vieng Kayaking Fun Rapid and Float Tour: $65
Tours and Activities in Hofn
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hofn.
- 3 Hours Blue Ice Experience in Vatnajokull : $214
- Crystal Ice Cave Adventure : $203
- Crystal Ice Cave Tour from Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon: $182
- Frozen Wonders : Small Group Ice Cave Tour: $200
- Ice Cave Tour in the National Park of Vatnajökull: $157
- Sapphire Ice Cave Tour from Jökulsárlón - Extra Small Group: $170
- Sindri’s Ice Cave Photography Tour: A Local’s Perspective: $215
- The Orignal Ice Cave Tour in Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: $164
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.11Hofn $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Hofn, we can see that Hofn 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 Hofn 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 Hofn would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hofn 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 Hofn Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Hofn?
Vang Vieng has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hofn. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Hofn, 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 Hofn?
Hofn 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 Hofn in the Summer?
Both Hofn 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.
In July, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Hofn. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 22°C (72°F), and Hofn fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
In July, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Hofn. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Hofn receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)Hofn 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Hofn in the Autumn?
Both Hofn 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.
Hofn can be very cold during autumn. Vang Vieng is much warmer than Hofn in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Hofn fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
Hofn gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in October than Hofn. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Hofn receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Hofn 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Hofn in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Hofn. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round.
The weather in Hofn can be very cold. In the winter, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Hofn. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vang Vieng in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Hofn averages at about -0°C (31°F).
Hofn receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Hofn. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Hofn receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)Hofn -0°C (31°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Hofn in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Hofn. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
It's quite cold in Hofn in the spring. In April, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Hofn. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Hofn fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).
Vang Vieng receives a lot of rain in the spring. Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in April than Hofn. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Hofn receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Hofn 2°C (36°F)
Typical Weather for Hofn and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | Hofn | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | -0°C (31°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 124 mm (4.9 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.