Which place is cheaper, Kingston 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 Kingston?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Kingston? 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 Kingston?
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.
Kingston
Kingston is Jamaica's capital city with a population of about 579,000. For being located on an island, Kingston is a very large city with several different zip codes. Not only is Kingston the cultural capital of the country, but also the commercial one as well.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, and The Best Budget Tours to Laos.
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Vang Vieng Prices
Laos PricesKingston Prices
Jamaica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $19Kingston $123
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $19, while the average daily cost in Kingston is $123. 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 Kingston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.25Kingston $62
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.50Kingston $124
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Kingston
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng or Kingston? 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 Kingston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vang Vieng $3.11Kingston $28
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 Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- Montego Bay: 5-Day Jamaica Tour with Meals and Transfers: $2,200
- From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Negril: $749
- Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Montego Bay: $479
- Tropical Off-Road ATV Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $369
- From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Ocho Rios: $319
- Runaway Bay Hotels Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $261
- Group Private Kingston Airport Transfers (10 - 15 Persons): $251
- Port Antonio Hotel Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $235
- Kingston Round Trip Airport Transfers to Ocho Rios : $230
- NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225
- Airport Group Transfers-Kingston: $180
- Transfer for Kingston Airport to and from Hotels in Montego Bay: $173
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Kingston?
Prices for flights to both Kingston 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 $11Kingston $44
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.76Kingston $12
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
Tours and Activities in Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Ocho Rios: $232
- Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios : $62
- Bamboo Rafting and Boston Jerk Centre Tour in Portland Jamaica: $220
- Blue Mountain Tour: A Half-Day Escape from Kingston: $1,011
- Blue Mountains Coffee Private Tour from Kingston: $180
- Bob Marley Guided City Tour: $95
- Bob Marley Museum Entry Ticket: $30
- Bob Marley Museum Express Tour from Port Royal Cruise Port: $141
- Bob Marley Museum, Devon House and Downtown Kingston Tour: $134
- City Tour of Kingston Including Entry Fees: $105
- Club Kingston VIP Departure Lounge Experience: $38
- Devon House City Tour Combo: $85
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.11Kingston $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Kingston, we can see that Kingston 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 Kingston is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Kingston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kingston 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 Kingston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Kingston?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Kingston, 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 Kingston?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Kingston in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Kingston. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.
Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in July than Kingston. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. In the summer, Vang Vieng often gets less sunshine than Kingston. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 254 hours of full sun.
Vang Vieng is cooler than Kingston in the summer. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Kingston fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)Kingston 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Kingston in the Autumn?
Both Kingston 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. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kingston. In October, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Kingston. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
It's quite sunny in Kingston. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kingston during autumn. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 229 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Vang Vieng is cooler than Kingston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vang Vieng in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Kingston averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Kingston 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Kingston in the Winter?
Both Kingston 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round.
Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in January than Kingston. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Vang Vieng. In the winter, Vang Vieng often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kingston. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 257 hours of full sun.
In January, Vang Vieng is generally around the same temperature as Kingston. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 24°C (75°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)Kingston 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Kingston in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Kingston. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Vang Vieng gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Kingston. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In Vang Vieng, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vang Vieng usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during spring. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.
Vang Vieng is cooler than Kingston in the spring. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in April, and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Kingston 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Kingston and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | Kingston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 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.