A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Vang Vieng vs. Karlovy Vary for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Vang Vieng or Karlovy Vary?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Karlovy Vary? 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 Karlovy Vary?

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.

Karlovy Vary

Founded in 1370, Karlovy Vary translates to "Charles' Bath" for its founder Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, as well as its famous hot springs. It is located in Bohemia in the western Czech Republic and is also known as Karlsbad (German) or Carlsbad (English). Another highlight is the International Film Festival in July with draws celebrities and other film enthusiasts worldwide.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Karlovy Vary, we can see that Karlovy Vary 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 Karlovy Vary 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 Karlovy Vary would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Karlovy Vary 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 Karlovy Vary Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Karlovy Vary?

Karlovy Vary has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Karlovy Vary, 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 Karlovy Vary?

Karlovy Vary 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 Karlovy Vary in the Summer?

Both Karlovy Vary 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 the summer, Vang Vieng is a little warmer than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vang Vieng in July average around 22°C (72°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Karlovy Vary. Vang Vieng usually receives less sunshine than Karlovy Vary during summer. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Karlovy Vary. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?

Both Karlovy Vary 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.

In October, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

It's quite sunny in Vang Vieng. In the autumn, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun.

Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in October than Karlovy Vary. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Karlovy Vary. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round.

Karlovy Vary can be very cold during winter. Vang Vieng is much warmer than Karlovy Vary in the winter. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

In Vang Vieng, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during winter. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Karlovy Vary. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Karlovy Vary. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the spring, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vang Vieng in April average around 23°C (73°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 10°C (50°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 Karlovy Vary. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun.

Vang Vieng receives a lot of rain in the spring. Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in April than Karlovy Vary. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Vang Vieng