Which place is cheaper, Kuala Lumpur or Vang Vieng?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Vang Vieng or Kuala Lumpur?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Kuala Lumpur? 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 Kuala Lumpur?
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.
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as KL, is the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia. It is also the largest city in the country, having grown out of a small Chinese mining village. Today Kuala Lumpur is a microcosm of the country of Malaysia. The population is split between the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures which you can see reflected in the city's neighborhoods, cuisine, and entertainment. It's also an incredibly affordable city, even if you're looking for the comforts of a five star hotel or a luxury restaurant. Prices are almost always a fraction of what you would pay in Europe or the United States.
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 Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $14Kuala Lumpur $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $14, while the average daily cost in Kuala Lumpur is $62. 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 Kuala Lumpur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.34Kuala Lumpur $36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.68Kuala Lumpur $72
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Kuala Lumpur
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng or Kuala Lumpur? 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 Kuala Lumpur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vang Vieng $3.18Kuala Lumpur $6.41
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$3.14
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Metro Ride (for Two)$0.67
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Short Taxi Ride$3.14
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Taxi From Airport$19
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Bus from Airport$1.68
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Train & Boat to Pulau Ketam$2.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Legoland Transfer Private (per Vehichle) : $270
- Arrival Transfer from KLIA/KLIA2 to Penang: $270
- *Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Singapore Car Transfer: $268
- Cameron Highlands One Way Transfer: $259
- Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Besut Transfer [Car]: $251
- KUL Hotel to Johor Bharu(One Way Transfer): $237
- Kuala Lumpur City Hotels to Singapore City Hotels 1-way Transfer: $230
- Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Desaru Transfer [Car]: $226
- Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Mersing Transfer [Car]: $225
- Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands Transfer [Car]: $220
- Airport Arrival Transfer-VIP Class: $200
- VIP Arrival Transfer : Kuala Lumpur Airport: $196
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Kuala Lumpur?
Prices for flights to both Kuala Lumpur 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 $6.31Kuala Lumpur $15
Typical Food Prices in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Ding Tai Fung$8.39
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Roti Bread$0.21
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Food Court Lunch$3.02
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Dinner at Indian Restaurant (for Two)$4.51
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- ARAS Restaurant at KL Tower Buffet Dinner: $28
- Nightlife Street Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $43
- Street Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Cultural Night Experience with Buffet Dinner : $53
- From Kuala Selangor Fireflies Tour with Dinner: $53
- Cultural Night Tour with Dinner: $55
- Malaysia Cooking Classes: $60
- Kuala Lumpur by Night and Malaysian Food Tour: $61
- Petaling Street Heritage Food Tour: $62
- Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $63
- Kuala Selangor Fireflies Tour Include Seafood Dinner (Free Boat Ride): $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.87Kuala Lumpur $13
Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.
- Discover Vang Vieng Private Tour- Trekking, Kayaking and Caving: $102
- Full Day Private Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave Tour: $156
- Half-Day Nam Song River Kayak Tour with Zipline or Tham None: $27
- One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng : $50
- Train ticket Vang vieng to Luang prabang: $50
- Vang Vieng Bike Tour: $39
- Vang Vieng Kayaking Fun Rapid and Float Tour: $35
- Vang Vieng Tour A - Blue lagoon 3 with Caves and Zipline: $110
- Vang Vieng Tour B - Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour: $55
- Blue Lagoon and Countryside Bike Tour with Lunch: $50
- Jungle & Caves Full-Day Private Trekking Tour: $120
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
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KL Tower Admission (for Two)$9.43
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Canopy Walk at FRIM Forest Reserve$1.05
Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Adventure Sports & Thrilling White-water Rafting in Kampar River: $241
- Batu Caves And Countryside Tour: $24
- Full Day Kuala Lumpur City Tour with Petronas Twin Tower Tickets: $95
- Full Day Melaka Tour with The Shore Sky Tower 43rd Floor - Unesco Heritage: $188
- Historic And Heritage Melaka Tour: $55
- History, Heritage & Culture Of Malaysia Tour: $62
- Ipoh "The Land Of Grace" + Orang Utan Island +Lunch(Guided Tour): $241
- Kuala Lumpur (Genting Highlands 7.5 hours Private Tour): $65
- Kuala Lumpur Full Day City & Shopping Tour with Lunch (PRIVATE TOUR): $77
- Malacca Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $184
- Malaysia: Aquaria KLCC Entry Ticket: $13
- *13 Hrs Kuala Lumpur & Melaka Van Tour from Bentong w' Tour Guide: $108
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.14Kuala Lumpur $6.21
Typical Alcohol Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$9.43
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Kuala Lumpur, we can see that Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Kuala Lumpur?
Kuala Lumpur has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Kuala Lumpur, 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 Kuala Lumpur?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Kuala Lumpur in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Kuala Lumpur. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Kuala Lumpur. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kuala Lumpur this time of the year. Vang Vieng usually receives less sunshine than Kuala Lumpur during summer. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Kuala Lumpur receives 200 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Vang Vieng is cooler than Kuala Lumpur. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vang Vieng in July average around 22°C (72°F), and Kuala Lumpur averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)Kuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Kuala Lumpur in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Kuala Lumpur. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in October than Kuala Lumpur. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 280 mm (11 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vang Vieng this time of the year. In the autumn, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Kuala Lumpur. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kuala Lumpur receives 169 hours of full sun.
In October, Vang Vieng is generally cooler than Kuala Lumpur. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Kuala Lumpur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Kuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Kuala Lumpur in the Winter?
Both Kuala Lumpur and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. In January, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Kuala Lumpur. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Kuala Lumpur during winter. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Kuala Lumpur receives 185 hours of full sun in the winter.
Vang Vieng is cooler than Kuala Lumpur in the winter. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Kuala Lumpur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)Kuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Kuala Lumpur in the Spring?
Both Kuala Lumpur and Vang Vieng during the spring 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 Kuala Lumpur year-round.
Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in April than Kuala Lumpur. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Vang Vieng. In the spring, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Kuala Lumpur. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kuala Lumpur receives 199 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Vang Vieng is cooler than Kuala Lumpur. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vang Vieng in April average around 23°C (73°F), and Kuala Lumpur averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Kuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Kuala Lumpur and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | Kuala Lumpur | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 280 mm (11 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 250 mm (9.8 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.