Which place is cheaper, Nanjing or Vang Vieng?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Vang Vieng or Nanjing?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Nanjing? 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 Nanjing?
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.
Nanjing
Nanjing is the capital city of the Jiangsu Province on the central eastern coast of China, just north of Shanghai. This historically and culturally rich city lies at the lower end of the Yangtze river, resulting in lush and scenic landscapes. Nanjing is well-known for having many popular historical sites, some of which have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
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 Historical Tours in China, and The Best 10-Day Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $14Nanjing $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $14, while the average daily cost in Nanjing is $96. 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 Nanjing in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.34Nanjing $46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.68Nanjing $92
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Nanjing
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng or Nanjing? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vang Vieng $3.18Nanjing $38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nanjing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nanjing:
- Nanjing Lukou Int Airport (NKG): Private Transfer to Nanjing: $175
- Nanjing to Beijing Bullet Train Ticket with Local Private Transfers: $163
- Nanjing to Beijing Bullet Train Ticket with Train Station Transfer: $120
- Nanjing Private Transfer from Nanjing central to Nanjing Lukou Airport (NKG): $114
- Private Transfer to Yangzhou City from Nanjing Lukou Airport : $109
- Private Round Trip Transfer to Zhenjiang from Nanjing: $94
- Nanjing to Huangshan Bullet Train Ticket with Train Station Transfer: $90
- Private Round Trip Transfer to Yangzhou Attractions from Nanjing: $89
- Private Transfer to Gaochun City from Nanjing Lukou Airport: $88
- Private Transfer to Gaochun City from Nanjing : $88
- Yangzhou Private Transfer Service from Nanjing City or Lukou Airport : $80
- Zhenjiang Private Transfer Service from Nanjing City or Lukou Airport : $78
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Nanjing?
Prices for flights to both Nanjing 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 $6.31Nanjing $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nanjing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nanjing.
- 3-Hour Nanjing Authentic Local Food Tour by Public Transportation: $93
- Flexible Private Nanjing City Night Tour with Dinner Option : $112
- Nanjing City Private Night Tour with Qinghuai River Cruise and Dinner Option: $114
- Nanjing Tangshan Mountain Hot Spring Experience and Hot Pot Dinner: $175
- Private Amazing Nanjing Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $181
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.87Nanjing $9.27
Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.
- Half-Day Nam Song River Kayak Tour with Zipline or Tham None: $27
- Vang Vieng Kayaking Fun Rapid and Float Tour: $35
- Vang Vieng Bike Tour: $39
- One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng : $50
- Train ticket Vang vieng to Luang prabang: $50
- Blue Lagoon and Countryside Bike Tour with Lunch: $50
- Vang Vieng Tour B - Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour: $55
- Discover Vang Vieng Private Tour- Trekking, Kayaking and Caving: $102
- Vang Vieng Tour A - Blue lagoon 3 with Caves and Zipline: $110
- Jungle & Caves Full-Day Private Trekking Tour: $120
- Full Day Private Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave Tour: $156
Tours and Activities in Nanjing
Here are a few actual costs in Nanjing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Half-Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour : $109
- 2-Day Unlimited Nanjing Private Flexible Tour with Lunch Option : $295
- 4-Hour Nanjing City Private Tailor-Made Tour in Your Way : $109
- 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour: Xiaoling Tomb, Ming City Wall and Memorial Hall : $115
- All Inclusive Amazing Nanjing City Highlights Private Day Tour: $193
- All Inclusive Nanjing City Private Day Tour with Tailor-Made Highlights: $213
- All-inclusive Customized Nanjing Layover Tour: $201
- Beijing Great Wall Tour from Nanjing by Bullet Train with Private Car Service: $282
- Flexible Private Nanjing City Highlights Day Tour: $164
- Flexible Private Nanjing Independent Tour : $63
- Flexible Zhenjiang Private Day Tour from Nanjing: $197
- Half Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour with Night River Cruise: $165
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.14Nanjing $9.46
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Nanjing, we can see that Nanjing 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 Nanjing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nanjing 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 Nanjing Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Nanjing?
Nanjing has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Nanjing, 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 Nanjing?
Nanjing 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 Nanjing in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Nanjing. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Vang Vieng is generally cooler than Nanjing. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 22°C (72°F), and Nanjing fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
It's quite rainy in Nanjing. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in July than Nanjing. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Nanjing receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)Nanjing 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Nanjing in the Autumn?
Both Nanjing 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.
Vang Vieng is a little warmer than Nanjing in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Nanjing fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
In October, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Nanjing. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Nanjing receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Nanjing 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Nanjing in the Winter?
Both Nanjing 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.
Nanjing can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Nanjing. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vang Vieng in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Nanjing averages at about 3°C (37°F).
Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in January than Nanjing. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Nanjing receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)Nanjing 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Nanjing in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Nanjing. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round.
In April, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Nanjing. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Nanjing fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).
Nanjing 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 Nanjing. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Nanjing receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Nanjing 15°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Nanjing and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | Nanjing | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 25 mm (1 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.