Which place is cheaper, Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Reykjavik? 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 Reykjavik?
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.
Reykjavik
Reykjavik is the capital and largest city in the country of Iceland. The city is where the vast majority of the country's population resides and the urban area has about 200,000 residents. The city is sprawling, with a large area covered in suburbs. The the city center is quite compact, with many interesting and colorful houses. There are a lot of things that attract tourists to this city, including an interesting culture and history as well as plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.
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Vang Vieng Prices
Laos PricesReykjavik Prices
Iceland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $18Reykjavik $298
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $18, while the average daily cost in Reykjavik is $298. 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 Reykjavik in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.17Reykjavik $155
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.34Reykjavik $310
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Reykjavik
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng or Reykjavik? 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 and Reykjavik Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vang Vieng $3.06Reykjavik $51
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reykjavik
Also for Reykjavik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private 7-hour Airport/Cruise Transfer & Tour: $1,831
- Landmannalaugar Super Jeep All Year Transfer: $1,702
- Silver Circle Tour & Roundtrip Airport Transfer: $1,386
- Private 4-Hour Airport/Cruise Transfer & Tour: $1,221
- Private 3-Hour Airport/Cruise Transfer & Tour: $977
- Blue Lagoon with Private Roundtrip Transfer: $613
- From Skarfabakki: Blue Lagoon Round-Trip Transfer: $524
- Blue Lagoon Luxury Spa with Private Transfer: $400
- From ATV Ride and Blue Lagoon Tour with Transfer: $395
- Keflavik Airport (KEF): Transfer to Skarfabakki Cruise Port: $361
- Hvammsvik Hot Springs: Private Return Transfer with Entrance: $343
- Premium Private Transfer from Reykjavik to Keflavik Airport!: $289
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Reykjavik?
Prices for flights to both Reykjavik 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 $11Reykjavik $58
Typical Food Prices in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner (Fish Market)$198
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Harbor Cruise with 3-Course Dinner: $137
- Food Tour by locals: $140
- Authentic Reykjavik Food Tour with Flea Market Delights: $146
- Icelandic Food Tour: $147
- The Reykjavik Harbor Food Tour: $147
- 3-Hour Shared Christmas Food Tour with Guide in Reykjavik: $149
- Reykjavík Food Tour with 5 Authentic Local Tastings & Secret Dish: $151
- Food Tour with 6+ Tastings of Icelandic Classics: $154
- The Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $171
- Christmas Food Tour with Tastings and Drinks: $171
- Reykjavík All In One Food Tour - Eat, Drink & Explore with Locals: $203
- Private Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $241
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.68Reykjavik $80
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
- 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
- Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike and Blue Lagoon Tour: $79
- One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng: $50
- Paramotor Experience in Vang Vieng Laos: $165
- Ultimate Kayak, Zipline and Tube Adventure in Vang Vieng: $113
- Vang Vieng 1-Day Cave Exploration Tour with Guide: $175
- Vang Vieng 2 Day Shared Hot Air Balloon Tour: $269
- Vang Vieng Adventure Day Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Cave Tubing: $75
- Vang Vieng Ballooning Adventures: $260
Typical Entertainment Prices in Reykjavik
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Reykjavik's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Art Museum$12
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Wine and Spa$32
Tours and Activities in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Hour ATV Quad Tour : Pick up from Reykjavik (2 persons per ATV): $139
- 1+ hour Private Horse riding tour from Reykjavík/Mosfellsbær: $168
- 1-Hour Helicopter Tour in Iceland: The Geothermal Tour: $553
- 1-Hour Small Group Sightseeing Boat Tour in Vestmannaeyjar: $162
- 2 Hours Whale Watching Express Adventure: $94
- 2-Hour Buggy Adventure Tour out off Reykjavik: $264
- 2-Hour RIB Boat Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik: $191
- 2hr ATV adventure with Pick up from Reykjavik (2 persons per ATV): $162
- 3-Hour Volcanic Springs ATV Adventure From Reykjavik: $339
- A Self-Guided Thingvellir National Park Walking Tour: $8.99
- Aurora by Boat Reykjavik Adventure: $85
- Become the Hunter Live Self Drive Aurora Hunting Experience: $115
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.09Reykjavik $31
Typical Alcohol Prices in Reykjavik
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Reykjavik are as follows:
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Beer$9.77
Sample the Local Flavors in Reykjavik
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Reykjavik:
- Flóki Whisky Distillery Tour & Tasting in Reykjavík: $48
- Craft Beer and Brewery Tour in Iceland: $48
- Eimverk Distillery Guided Tour with Tasting: $48
- Icelandic Bar Crawl and Karaoke Experience: $169
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Reykjavik?
Reykjavik has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?
Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Reykjavik. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vang Vieng in July average around 22°C (72°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 11°C (52°F).
Vang Vieng usually receives less sunshine than Reykjavik during summer. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)Reykjavik 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Reykjavik in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Reykjavik. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Reykjavik can be very cold during autumn. In October, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°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 Reykjavik. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun.
Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in October than Reykjavik. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Reykjavik 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Reykjavik in the Winter?
Both Reykjavik 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. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.
The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. Vang Vieng is much warmer than Reykjavik in the winter. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Reykjavik fluctuates around -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 Reykjavik during winter. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)Reykjavik -0°C (32°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Reykjavik in the Spring?
Both Reykjavik 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. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.
It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the spring. In the spring, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vang Vieng in April average around 23°C (73°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 3°C (38°F).
It's quite sunny in Vang Vieng. In the spring, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 140 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 Reykjavik. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Reykjavik 3°C (38°F)
Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | Reykjavik | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 79 mm (3.1 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.