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

Should you visit Vang Vieng or Plzen?

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

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Plzen? 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 Plzen?

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.

Plzen

Renowned as the home of the pilsner beer, Plzen is a city located in the West Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. Beyond beer, it also features a number of impressive landmarks some of which include St. Bartholomew's Cathedral and the Great Synagogue.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic.


Which place is cheaper, Plzen 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $18, while the average daily cost in Plzen is $140. 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 Plzen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Vang Vieng $4.08
    Plzen $69
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Vang Vieng $8.16
    Plzen $138
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Plzen

Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng or Plzen? 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 Plzen


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 Plzen Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Vang Vieng $2.99
    Plzen $9.36

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Plzen

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Plzen:

  • Private Transfer from Pilsen(Plzen) to Prague: $292
  • Private Transfer from Pilsen to Prague with 2 hours for sightseeing: $125
  • Private Transfer from Pilsen to Prague: $94

Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Plzen?

Prices for flights to both Plzen 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
    Plzen $60

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Vang Vieng $4.57
    Plzen $24

Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.

  • Nam Song River Kayak Tour: $18
  • Tham Nangfar and Tham Nam Day Tour with Kayaking: $24
  • Get Your Laos–China Train Ticket Fast – No Waiting, No Worries: $30
  • Blue Lagoon and Countryside Bike Tour with Lunch: $38
  • One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng: $50
  • Vang Vieng Zipline & Kayaking Cave Adventure: $50
  • BBQ Lunch Cruise on Nam Ngum Lake: $50
  • Kayaking&Zipline&Cave Tubing&cave tour: $51
  • Vang Vieng Day Tour: Zipline, Water Cave, Kayak & Blue Lagoon 3: $52
  • Vang Vieng Tour B - Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour: $55
  • Vang Vieng Jungle Day Tour: $58
  • Laos: Jungle Zipline and Caving Tour: $58

Tours and Activities in Plzen

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Plzen are as follows:

  • An Audio Tour of the City of Beer: Pilsen's History and Legends: $7.99
  • Experience Pilsen through Digital Audio Guide in English: $11
  • Pilsen Private Walking Tour: $246
  • Pilsen Walking Tour: Explore Sights & Hidden Gems: $39
  • Pilsen: Beer & Spirit Tasting Tour: $59
  • Pilsen: Historic Underground Tour with a Glass of Beer: $12
  • Pilsen: Old Town Gastronomy Tour: $35
  • Pilsen: Old Town Guided Walking Tour: $59
  • Pilsen: Panoramic Sightseeing - Bus Tour with audio guide: $19
  • Plzeň: Big Bunker Shooting Experience: $186
  • Prague Walking and Beer Tour Discover Hidden Gems: $114

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Vang Vieng $1.07
    Plzen $26

Sample the Local Flavors in Plzen

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Plzen:

  • Pilsen: Brewery Museum Entrance with a Glass of Beer: $7.62
  • Pilsen: Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $21
  • Pilsen Highlights Small-Group Tour and Pilsner Brewery Tour including Lunch and Beer Tasting: $129


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


Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Plzen?

Plzen has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Plzen, 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 Plzen?

Plzen 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 Plzen in the Summer?

Both Plzen 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.

In the summer, Vang Vieng is a little warmer than Plzen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vang Vieng in July average around 22°C (72°F), and Plzen averages at about 20°C (67°F).

In Plzen, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Vang Vieng often gets less sunshine than Plzen. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plzen receives 212 hours of full sun.

Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in July than Plzen. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Vang Vieng 22°C (72°F) 
    Plzen 20°C (67°F)

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Plzen in the Autumn?

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

In October, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Plzen. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Plzen fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In Vang Vieng, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Plzen during autumn. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Plzen receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Plzen. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Vang Vieng 23°C (73°F) 
    Plzen 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Plzen in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Plzen in the winter. Vang Vieng is much warmer than Plzen in the winter. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Plzen fluctuates around -1°C (31°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 Plzen. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plzen receives 45 hours of full sun.

Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in January than Plzen. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Vang Vieng 24°C (75°F) 
    Plzen -1°C (31°F)

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Plzen in the Spring?

Both Plzen 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.

In the spring, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Plzen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vang Vieng in April average around 23°C (73°F), and Plzen averages at about 11°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Plzen during spring. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Plzen receives 164 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Vang Vieng. In April, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Plzen. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Vang Vieng 23°C (73°F) 
    Plzen 11°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Plzen and Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng Plzen
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) -1°C (31°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Feb 24°C (75°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 2°C (35°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Mar 24°C (75°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 6°C (42°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Apr 23°C (73°F) 188 mm (7.4 in) 11°C (51°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
May 23°C (73°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 15°C (59°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 22°C (72°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 18°C (64°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jul 22°C (72°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 20°C (67°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Aug 22°C (72°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 19°C (67°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 16°C (61°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 11°C (51°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 113 mm (4.4 in) 5°C (41°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Dec 23°C (73°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 1°C (34°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)