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

Should you visit Vang Vieng or Malmo?

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

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Malmo? 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 Malmo?

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.

Malmo

Located on the southern tip of Sweden, in the province of Skane, Malmo is Sweden's third largest city. It has a very international population with about a third of the residents being from countries other than Sweden. This diversity is evident within Malmo, which is rich in culture, interesting food, and an array of entertainment options. Historically, Malmo was an industrial city with a ship building company, Kockums being the area's largest employer. Today, however, the city is much more economicaly diverse with many eco friendly neighborhoods and plenty of suburban style housing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Sweden, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Sweden.


Which place is cheaper, Malmo 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.

  • Vang Vieng Prices
    Laos Prices
    Malmo Prices
    Sweden Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Vang Vieng $18
    Malmo $114

The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $18, while the average daily cost in Malmo is $114. 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 Malmo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Vang Vieng $4.08
    Malmo $55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Vang Vieng $8.16
    Malmo $110
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Malmo

Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng or Malmo? 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.

Hotels in Vang Vieng


Hotels in Malmo


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 Malmo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Vang Vieng $2.99
    Malmo $9.06

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vang Vieng

Also for Vang Vieng, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Vang Vieng Private Transfer: Hotel - Railway Station - Vientiane: $11
  • Shared transfer from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang city: $20

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Malmo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Malmo:


  • Malmö Bus Card
    $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malmo

Also for Malmo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Direct Transfer From Malmo to Copenhagen: $166
  • Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $135
  • Malmö City to Copenhagen hotel/address Private Departure Transfer: $133
  • Malmo Private Transfer from Malmo airport to Central Malmo: $101
  • Malmo Private Transfer from Central Malmo to Malmo Airport: $101
  • Malmo City to Malmo Airport (MMX) - Departure Private Transfer: $68
  • Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City - Arrival Private Transfer: $68

Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Malmo?

Prices for flights to both Malmo 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Vang Vieng $10
    Malmo $50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malmo

For Malmo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Taysta's Food Tour i Malmö: $43
  • Self-guided Food Tour in Malmö: $89

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Vang Vieng $4.58
    Malmo $18

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
  • BBQ Lunch Cruise on Nam Ngum Lake: $50
  • Get Your Laos–China Train Ticket Fast – No Waiting, No Worries: $30
  • Laos: Jungle Zipline and Caving Tour: $58
  • Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour in Vang Vieng: $180
  • One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng: $50
  • Paramotor Experience in Vang Vieng Laos: $165
  • Vang Vieng 1-Day Cave Exploration Tour with Guide: $175
  • Vang Vieng Adventure Day Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Cave Tubing: $75
  • Vang Vieng Day Tour - Longtail boat, Paragliding: $175
  • Vang Vieng Day Tour: Zipline, Water Cave, Kayak & Blue Lagoon 3: $52
  • Vang Vieng Full Day Adventure Blue Lagoon 3: $225

Tours and Activities in Malmo

For Malmo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Canal Sightseeing Boat Tour of Malmö: $25
  • Half Day Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour in Cosmopolitan Malmö: $16
  • Lund's Medieval and Modern History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Malmö Outdoor Escape Game: Self-Guided City Adventure: $24
  • Malmö Photography Tour: $66
  • Malmo Private Walking Tour with a Local: $44
  • Malmo Walking Tour, 3 hours (small group): $72
  • Malmo Walking Tour: Explore Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $75
  • Self Guided Walking Tour of Malmö with Audio Guide: $5.93
  • Skip the Line: Disgusting Food Museum Entrance Ticket: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Vang Vieng $1.07
    Malmo $41


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


Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Malmo?

Malmo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Malmo, 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 Malmo?

Malmo 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 Malmo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Malmo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round.

In July, Vang Vieng is generally a little warmer than Malmo. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 22°C (72°F), and Malmo fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Malmo this time of the year. Vang Vieng usually receives less sunshine than Malmo during summer. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Malmo receives 247 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Malmo. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Vang Vieng 22°C (72°F) 
    Malmo 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Malmo in the Autumn?

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

Vang Vieng is much warmer than Malmo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Malmo fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

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 Malmo. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Malmo receives 104 hours of full sun.

Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in October than Malmo. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Vang Vieng 23°C (73°F) 
    Malmo 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Malmo in the Winter?

Both Malmo 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.

The weather in Malmo can be very cold. In the winter, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Malmo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vang Vieng in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Malmo averages at about 0°C (32°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Malmo during winter. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Malmo receives 36 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Malmo. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Vang Vieng 24°C (75°F) 
    Malmo 0°C (32°F)

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Malmo in the Spring?

Both Malmo 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.

In April, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Malmo. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Malmo fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

It's quite sunny in Vang Vieng. In the spring, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Malmo. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Malmo receives 173 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in April than Malmo. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Vang Vieng 23°C (73°F) 
    Malmo 5°C (42°F)

Typical Weather for Malmo and Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng Malmo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 0°C (32°F) 37 mm (1.4 in)
Feb 24°C (75°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) -0°C (32°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Mar 24°C (75°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 2°C (35°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 23°C (73°F) 188 mm (7.4 in) 5°C (42°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
May 23°C (73°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 11°C (51°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 22°C (72°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 15°C (59°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Jul 22°C (72°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 17°C (62°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Aug 22°C (72°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 17°C (62°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 14°C (57°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 10°C (50°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 113 mm (4.4 in) 6°C (42°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Dec 23°C (73°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 2°C (36°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)


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