Which place is cheaper, Okinawa 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.
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Should you visit Vang Vieng or Okinawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Okinawa? 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 Okinawa?
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.
Okinawa
Okinawa is the southernmost prefecture of Japan and includes hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands. The chain of islands is off the southern mainland portion of the country and is made up of 49 inhabited islands and over one hundred uninhabited islands. Naha is Okinawa's capital, which is located in the southern part of Okinawa Island.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo.
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Vang Vieng Prices
Laos PricesOkinawa Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $19Okinawa $125
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $19, while the average daily cost in Okinawa is $125. 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 Okinawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.25Okinawa $75
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.50Okinawa $150
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Okinawa
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng or Okinawa? 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 $3.11Okinawa $9.66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vang Vieng
Also for Vang Vieng, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared transfer from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang city: $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Okinawa
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Okinawa:
- Private Transfer from Okinawa Airport (OKA) to Nakagusuku Port: $220
- Private Transfer from Okinawa Airport (OKA) to Nakagusuku Port: $200
- Private Transfer from Nakagusuku Port to Okinawa Airport (OKA): $200
- Nakagusuku Cruise Port to Naha - Arrival Private Transfer: $138
- Airport Transfer! Center of Naha to Naha Airport (OKA): $125
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Okinawa?
Prices for flights to both Okinawa 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 $11Okinawa $41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Okinawa
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Okinawa.
- Naha: Airport Food Tour for a Delicious Start or Farewell: $166
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.76Okinawa $14
Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.
- Get Your Laos–China Train Ticket Fast – No Waiting, No Worries: $30
- Vangrong Full Day Tour: $45
- Vang Vieng Shared Tour with Kayaking in Nam Song River: $48
- Vang Vieng Bike Tour: $49
- One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng : $50
- Vangrong One Day Shared Tour: $52
- Vang Vieng Tour B - Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour: $55
- Vang Vieng Jungle Day Tour: $58
- Vang Vieng Kayaking Fun Rapid and Float Tour: $65
- Vang Vieng Kayaking Fun Rapid and Float Tour: $65
- Vang Vieng River Kayaking Rapid and Float Tour: $65
- Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike and Blue Lagoon Tour: $79
Tours and Activities in Okinawa
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Okinawa are as follows:
- 1Day BusTour Yanbaru National Park & Cape Hedo,Kouri Island: $91
- 200m Parasailing Experience in Okinawa depart from Ginowan Marina: $75
- 2Hour Gorilla Go-Kart Tour in Naha City:(NIGHT SLOTS AVAILABLE): $69
- 60Min Gorilla Go-Kart Tour in Naha City: (NIGHT SLOTS AVAILABLE): $55
- Afternoon Adventure: Okinawa Local Cycling with Spectacular Views: $103
- American Village &Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium Tour from Naha Chatan: $95
- Beautiful sunset kayak tour in Okinawa: $38
- E-Bike Nature Tour in Shuri: $103
- E-Bike Tour with Sushi Making Experience: $171
- Half Day Naha City Historical Bike Tour: $155
- Karate History Tour in Okinawa: $112
- Kerama Islands Okinawa Scuba Diving Adventure: $226
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.11Okinawa $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Okinawa, we can see that Okinawa 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 Okinawa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Okinawa 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 Okinawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Okinawa?
Okinawa has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Okinawa, 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 Okinawa?
Okinawa 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 Okinawa in the Summer?
Both Okinawa and Vang Vieng during the summer 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, the summer months attract visitors to Okinawa because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Vang Vieng is cooler than Okinawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Okinawa fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
In Okinawa, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Vang Vieng often gets less sunshine than Okinawa. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Okinawa receives 258 hours of full sun.
Okinawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in July than Okinawa. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Okinawa receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)Okinawa 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Okinawa in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Okinawa. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Okinawa this time of year.
In the autumn, Vang Vieng is around the same temperature as Okinawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vang Vieng in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Okinawa averages at about 25°C (77°F).
In Vang Vieng, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Okinawa during autumn. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Okinawa receives 174 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Okinawa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Okinawa. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Okinawa receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Okinawa 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Okinawa in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Okinawa. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Okinawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Vang Vieng is generally a little warmer than Okinawa. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 24°C (75°F), and Okinawa fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vang Vieng this time of the year. In the winter, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Okinawa. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Okinawa receives 96 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Okinawa. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in January than Okinawa. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Okinawa receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)Okinawa 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Okinawa in the Spring?
Both Okinawa and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Okinawa in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
Vang Vieng is around the same temperature as Okinawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in April, and Okinawa fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Okinawa during spring. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Okinawa receives 149 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Okinawa. It's quite rainy in Vang Vieng. In April, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Okinawa. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Okinawa receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Okinawa 22°C (71°F)
Typical Weather for Okinawa and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | Okinawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 116 mm (4.6 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.