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

Should you visit Vang Vieng or Nikko?

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

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Nikko? 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 Nikko?

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.

Nikko

Nikko is a small Japanese city located in the mountains north of Tokyo. It is well-known for the site of Toshogu, a famed Shinto shrine established in 1617, in memory of Tokugawa Ieyasu who was the founding ruler of the Edo Period. The town is situated just outside of Nikko National Park which offers scenic mountain landscapes, lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, wild monkeys, and hiking trails.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, The Best 10-Day Tours in Japan, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan.

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

Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Nikko?

Vang Vieng has a larger population, and is about 56% larger than the population of Nikko. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Nikko, 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 Nikko?

Nikko 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 Nikko in the Summer?

Both Nikko and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Nikko for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Vang Vieng is cooler than Nikko. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vang Vieng in July average around 22°C (72°F), and Nikko averages at about 25°C (77°F).

Vang Vieng usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Nikko during summer. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Nikko receives 136 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nikko. In July, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Nikko. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Nikko receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Nikko in the Autumn?

Both Nikko and Vang Vieng during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Nikko because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Vang Vieng is generally a little warmer than Nikko. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Nikko fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Vang Vieng. In the autumn, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Nikko. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nikko receives 167 hours of full sun.

Nikko gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in October than Nikko. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Nikko receives 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Nikko in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Nikko. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nikko this time of year.

It's quite cold in Nikko in the winter. Vang Vieng is much warmer than Nikko in the winter. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Nikko fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nikko this time of the year. In Vang Vieng, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Nikko during winter. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Nikko receives 212 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Nikko. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Nikko receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Nikko in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Nikko. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Nikko for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Nikko. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vang Vieng in April average around 23°C (73°F), and Nikko averages at about 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vang Vieng this time of the year. In the spring, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Nikko. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nikko receives 191 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Nikko. Vang Vieng receives a lot of rain in the spring. Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in April than Nikko. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Nikko receives 108 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Nikko and Vang Vieng