Which place is cheaper, Seoul or Vang Vieng?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Vang Vieng or Seoul?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Seoul? 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 Seoul?
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.
Seoul
With a population of more than 11 million, Seoul is easily the largest city in South Korea. It is also the financial, political, and cultural capital of the country and has much to offer open minded travelers. It is often overlooked by travelers who instead head to Tokyo or Shanghai, but Seoul has a wide range of cultural experiences, food options, and historical sights. Seoul is a city of contrasts with ancient traditions, flashy technology, religious temples and a modern youth culture. It is also more affordable than many of the other Asian metropolis' to which it is often compared. If you're looking for an interesting and different experience that is a little off the tourist trail, Seoul can definitely offer that opportunity.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, and The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $14Seoul $107
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $14, while the average daily cost in Seoul is $107. 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 Seoul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.34Seoul $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.68Seoul $108
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Seoul
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng or Seoul? 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 Seoul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vang Vieng $3.18Seoul $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Seoul
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Seoul:
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Subway Card$3.62
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Short Taxi Ride$5.07
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Metro Ride$0.98
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Seoul City Pass Plus$7.24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seoul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seoul:
- Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City to Incheon Airport 1-12 pax: $204
- Private Airport Transfer: Gimpo Airport to Seoul City (1-12 pax): $167
- Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City to Gimpo Airport (1-12 pax): $167
- Private Airport Transfer - Incheon Airport ⇔ Seoul (Up to 7 or 11 people): $138
- Private Airport Transfer * Incheon Airport <-> Seoul (1-5 people): $100
- Private Transfer l Airport to/from Seoul: $100
- Private Transfer To/From Incheon Airport: $99
- Private Airport Transfer : Incheon airport to/from Seoul(~7 pax): $99
- Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City to Incheon Airport (1-5 pax): $98
- Incheon Airport Private Transfer between Seoul City: $98
- Private Gimpo Airport Transfer to Seoul and Vice Versa: $95
- Private Airport Transfer : Gimpo airport to/from Seoul (1~7pax): $95
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Seoul?
Prices for flights to both Seoul 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 $6.31Seoul $30
Typical Food Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seoul are as follows:
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Rice with Kimchi & Bacon$4.34
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Waffle$0.72
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Dippin' Dots$1.45
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Chicken Fried Rice$3.98
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Chicken Stick$1.45
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Drinking Yoghurt & Mi Chew$1.38
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Lunch Buffet$4.34
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Donut$0.72
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Mushroom Burger$3.76
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Green Tea Ice Cream$2.39
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Udon & Sushi$5.07
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Fresh Burger$3.48
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Soba Noodles Lunch$3.26
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Bibimbap Lunch$3.62
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Fried Rice$3.98
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Vietnamese Dinner$6.88
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Breakfast and Coffee for 2$6.88
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Donut$1.81
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seoul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seoul.
- Gyeongbokgung Palace : Tour, dinner and coffee: $36
- Seoul Mangwon Market Social Night Food Tour: $44
- Namdaemun Market: the Largest Traditional Market Food Tour: $46
- Namdaemun Market Street Food Tour: $47
- Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals;Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $53
- Gwangjang Market Netflix Food Tour: $54
- Guided City Wall Sunset Hike with Korean Dinner: $57
- Sunset Walking Tour in Naksan Park with Dinner: $58
- Half Day Seoul Afternoon Food Tour and visit 3 landMarks of Seoul: $67
- Night Market Food Tour: $70
- Energizing Korean Cooking Class in a Local Home in Seoul: $71
- Night Market Food Tour: $72
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.87Seoul $26
Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.
- Half-Day Nam Song River Kayak Tour with Zipline or Tham None: $27
- Vang Vieng Kayaking Fun Rapid and Float Tour: $35
- Vang Vieng Bike Tour: $39
- One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng : $50
- Train ticket Vang vieng to Luang prabang: $50
- Blue Lagoon and Countryside Bike Tour with Lunch: $50
- Vang Vieng Tour B - Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour: $55
- Discover Vang Vieng Private Tour- Trekking, Kayaking and Caving: $102
- Vang Vieng Tour A - Blue lagoon 3 with Caves and Zipline: $110
- Jungle & Caves Full-Day Private Trekking Tour: $120
- Full Day Private Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave Tour: $156
Typical Entertainment Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Seoul are as follows:
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Palace Tickets$5.79
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Movie Ticket$5.79
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Kimchi Museum$2.17
Tours and Activities in Seoul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seoul are as follows:
- Full Day Tour Jeonju Hanok Village, Wansan Park and Gakwonsa: $72
- Private Tour Nami Island with Petite France 'and/or' The Garden of Morning Calm: $98
- 1 Day Private Full DMZ Tour in Seoul with Crystal Gondola: $220
- 2-Hour Makgeolli Tasting Experience in Seoul: $37
- 2-Hour Private Kayaking and Paddleboarding Experience in Hanriver: $30
- 2D 1N Phoenix Pyeongchang Reseot Stay + Trout Ice-Fishing Festival Tour: $144
- 3 Hour Walking Tour in Songpa Seoul: $48
- 3-Hour Self-guided Sokcho Tour with Private Transportation: $33
- 63 Aqua Planet and 63 Building Seoul Observatory Tickets: $14
- ARMY must visit BTS tour in Seoul: $55
- Activity - Mt. Bukhan Hiking Guided Tour: $150
- Afternoon Half Day Seoul City Tour, visit Queen's dorm: $67
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.14Seoul $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Seoul
Also in Seoul, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Chunpoong Makgeolli Brewery Tour: $10
- The Seoul Pub Crawl [official]: $21
- Pub Crawl: $25
- The Seoul Pub Crawl [official]: $25
- Soju Tasting at Distillery - Story of Three Pigs: $42
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Seoul, we can see that Seoul 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 Seoul would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seoul 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 Seoul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Seoul?
Seoul has a larger population, and is about 410 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Seoul, 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 Seoul?
Seoul 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 Seoul in the Summer?
Both Seoul 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, many travelers come to Seoul for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Vang Vieng is generally cooler than Seoul. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 22°C (72°F), and Seoul fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
In the summer, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Seoul. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seoul receives 121 hours of full sun.
Seoul gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in July than Seoul. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 369 mm (14.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)Seoul 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Seoul in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Seoul. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Also, many visitors come to Seoul in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
Vang Vieng is much warmer than Seoul in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Seoul fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Seoul this time of the year. In Vang Vieng, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Seoul during autumn. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Seoul receives 204 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Seoul. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Seoul 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Seoul in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Seoul. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Seoul for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Seoul can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Seoul. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vang Vieng in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Seoul averages at about -3°C (27°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 Seoul. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seoul receives 163 hours of full sun.
Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in January than Seoul. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)Seoul -3°C (27°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Seoul in the Spring?
Both Seoul 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, the spring months attract visitors to Seoul because of the activities around the city.
In April, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Seoul. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Seoul fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
It's quite sunny in Seoul. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Seoul during spring. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Seoul receives 205 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Vang Vieng. In April, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Seoul. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Seoul 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Seoul and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | Seoul | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 369 mm (14.5 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 0°C (33°F) | 22 mm (0.9 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.