Which place is cheaper, Rotorua 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 Rotorua?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Rotorua? 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 Rotorua?
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.
Rotorua
Located on the banks of Lake Rotorua, Rotorua is famous as the thermal wonderland of New Zealand. The area has a variety of geothermal sights, but it is also close to several lakes and has more traditional activities as well, including fishing, boating and white water rafting.
Rotorua is located in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, which is the largest volcano in the area. There are four major volcanic calderas that now have lakes, and several other volcanoes in the area. Rotorua sits on top of a thermal hot spring, and there are many vents and hot pools throughout the area. Many of the hot pools and sights are located within parks, with some of the best being Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Rainbow Springs Nature Park, and Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.
Rotorua has a warm, temperate climate. Because of the area's inland location, it has less wind than many places in New Zealand. Temperatures during the winter months can fall to below freezing, but snow is incredibly rare.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.
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Vang Vieng Prices
Laos PricesRotorua Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $19Rotorua $114
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $19, while the average daily cost in Rotorua is $114. 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 Rotorua in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.25Rotorua $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.50Rotorua $96
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Rotorua
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng or Rotorua? 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 Rotorua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vang Vieng $3.11Rotorua $4.99
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 Rotorua
Also for Rotorua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Rotorua to Auckland Afternoon Transfer with Waitomo Glow Worms: $186
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Rotorua?
Prices for flights to both Rotorua 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 $11Rotorua $50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mitai Maori Village: Cultural Experience and Dinner Buffet: $98
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Evening Experience - Haka + Dinner: $113
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Evening Experience with Dinner: $117
- Te Pa Tu Māori Cultural Experience with Dinner: $156
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Combo - Tour, Dinner + Haka: $161
- Evening Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour with dinner: $202
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.76Rotorua $34
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
- Vang Vieng 1-Day Cave Exploration Tour with Guide: $175
- Vang Vieng Ballooning Adventures: $260
- Vang Vieng Bike Tour: $49
- Vang Vieng Day Tour - Longtail boat, Paragliding: $175
- Vang Vieng Hot Air Balloon Experience and Longtail Boat: $137
- Vang Vieng Hot Air Balloon Kayak Zipline,Blue lagoon1 Tour: $148
Typical Entertainment Prices in Rotorua
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Rotorua's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Lunch Out for Two$27
Tours and Activities in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 4x4 Self Drive Yamaha Experience : $90
- Agrodome Farm Experience including Farm Show and Farm Tour - Rotorua: $35
- Auckland: One-Way Tour to Rotorua with Waitomo Caves: $179
- Auckland: Rotorua Highlights Tour with Wai-O-Tapu & Hot Tubs: $202
- Auckland: Rotorua Highlights inc Te Puia Tour & Redwoods: $206
- Auckland: Rotorua Highlights inc Wai O Tapu & Te Puia Tour: $223
- Auckland: Rotorua Highlights with Te Puia Tour, Show & Lunch: $226
- Cultural Experience & Seasonal Māori Cuisine at Te Pā Tū : $162
- From Auckland: Rotorua Private Day Tour with Spa Experience: $579
- From HELL's GATE Geothermal MUD BATH Half Day Tour: $159
- From Hobbiton Movie Set Tour with Festive Lunch: $177
- From WAI-O-TAPU Geothermal Wonderland Half-Day Tour: $103
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.11Rotorua $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Rotorua
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rotorua:
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Bottle of Wine$11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Rotorua, we can see that Rotorua 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 Rotorua is in Pacific, 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 Rotorua would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rotorua 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 Rotorua Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Rotorua?
Rotorua has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Rotorua, 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 Rotorua?
Rotorua 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 Rotorua in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Rotorua. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Rotorua for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Vang Vieng is much warmer than Rotorua in the summer. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Rotorua fluctuates around 12°C (54°F)in January.
In July, Vang Vieng usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rotoruain January. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)Rotorua 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Rotorua in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Rotorua. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Vang Vieng is a little warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vang Vieng in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Rotorua averages at about 16°C (61°F)in April.
Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in October than Rotoruain April. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Rotorua 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Rotorua in the Winter?
Both Rotorua 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 museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rotorua this time of year.
In January, Vang Vieng is generally around the same temperature as Rotoruain July. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 24°C (75°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
In January, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Rotoruain July. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)Rotorua 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Rotorua in the Spring?
Both Rotorua 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, many travelers come to Rotorua for the natural beauty.
Vang Vieng is a little warmer than Rotorua in the spring. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in April, and Rotorua fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in October.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in April than Rotoruain October. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Rotorua 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Rotorua and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | Rotorua | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.