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

Should you visit Vang Vieng or Koyasan?

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

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Koyasan? 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 Koyasan?

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.

Koyasan

Mount Koya, Japan is a mountain city located just south of Osaka in the Wakayama prefecture. The area is known as the headquarters of the Shingnon sect of Japanese Buddhism and was first settled in 816. Over time, it has developed into the small town of Koya that is now home to a religious studies university and over 100 temples, many of which offer accommodation.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, and The Best Historical Tours in Japan.

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

When is the best time to visit Vang Vieng or Koyasan?

Koyasan 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 Koyasan in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Koyasan. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Koyasan because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Vang Vieng is generally cooler than Koyasan. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 22°C (72°F), and Koyasan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In the summer, Vang Vieng often gets less sunshine than Koyasan. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koyasan receives 183 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Koyasan. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in July than Koyasan. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Koyasan in the Autumn?

Both Koyasan 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. Also, the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Koyasan this time of year.

Vang Vieng is a little warmer than Koyasan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Koyasan fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Koyasan during autumn. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Koyasan receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koyasan. In October, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Koyasan. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Koyasan in the Winter?

Both Koyasan 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. Also, many travelers come to Koyasan for the museums and the cuisine.

In the winter, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Koyasan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vang Vieng in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Koyasan averages at about 6°C (42°F).

It's quite sunny in Vang Vieng. In the winter, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Koyasan. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koyasan receives 140 hours of full sun.

Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in January than Koyasan. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Koyasan in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Koyasan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Also, many visitors come to Koyasan in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Koyasan. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Koyasan fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In Vang Vieng, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Koyasan during spring. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Koyasan receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

Koyasan 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 more rain than Koyasan. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Koyasan and Vang Vieng