Which place is cheaper, Shanghai 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 Shanghai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Shanghai? 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 Shanghai?
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.
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest and most modern city in China. With a population of over 23 million, it is the economic and financial hub of the country. It also continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in China with regular changes to the city's layout and skyline. It is not uncommon for buildings to be torn down, rebuilt and then torn down and rebuilt again. The city also has skyscrapers that rank among the tallest in the world. It has an ever changing downtown and street scape. In Shanghai, the general mantra remains "out with the old, in with the new".
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Vang Vieng Prices
Laos PricesShanghai Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $19Shanghai $132
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $19, while the average daily cost in Shanghai is $132. 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 Shanghai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.25Shanghai $82
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.50Shanghai $164
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Shanghai
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng or Shanghai? 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 $3.11Shanghai $3.93
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Shanghai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Shanghai:
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Taxi Ride$3.64
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Two Subway Tickets$0.84
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shanghai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:
- Shanghai Disneyland Private Transfer with Tickets: $287
- Shanghai to Xi’an Bullet Train Ticket with Local Hotel Private Transfers : $245
- Shanghai Pudong Int’l Airport Private Arrival Transfer to Yiwu City Area : $226
- Chartered Transfer Vehicle in Shanghai: $200
- Shanghai to Xi'an Bullet Train Ticket with Hongqiao Station Transfer: $177
- Ningbo City Private Arrival Transfer from Shanghai Pudong International Airport: $177
- Shanghai to Suzhou and Tongli Water Town Self-Guide Tour Private Round Transfer: $171
- Shanghai to Suzhou and Zhouzhuang Self-Guide Trip with Private Transfer: $171
- Shanghai Pudong Airport To Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport one way private transfer: $155
- Shanghai to Beijing Bullet Train Ticket with Hongqiao Station Transfer: $150
- Shanghai Era Theatre Acrobatics Show with Hotel Transfer: $149
- Shanghai Airport to Ningbo City Private Arrival Transfer: $149
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Shanghai?
Prices for flights to both Shanghai 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 $11Shanghai $38
Typical Food Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:
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Dumpling Breakfast$1.40
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Desserts in Jinmao Building Observatory$20
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Ajisen Lunch for Two$7.29
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Cantelope$1.68
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Dumplings and Soup$2.10
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Duck Dinner$4.21
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Pastries$2.94
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Barbeque Dinner$8.97
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shanghai
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Shanghai.
- Authentic Local Food Tour In Downtown Shanghai-Tip Based: $3.58
- Shanghai-Cooking Dumpling & Meal in Local Family-w/Vegan: $6.00
- MingleX Dinner with Shanghai locals: $19
- Online Cooking Class General Tso's Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Dim Sum by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Fried Rice by Sunflower Li : $20
- Authentic Shanghai Food Tour with Chi Gua Va: $35
- Public Chinese Cooking Class in Shanghai : $50
- Huangpu River Evening Cruise Ticket with Dinner: $68
- Half-Day Biking and Local Food Tour: $69
- Evening Walking Food Tour: $69
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai: $79
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.76Shanghai $8.55
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Shanghai are as follows:
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30 Minute River Cruise for Two$28
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Zoo for Two$14
Tours and Activities in Shanghai
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shanghai are as follows:
- Half-Day Private Tour of Shanghai Bund with River Cruise or Tower View: $124
- Private Shanghai Full Day City Tour with Old and New Highlights: $108
- Shanghai Layover Tour to Xinchang Water Town with City Highlights Option : $135
- Shanghai Park Martial Arts Experience: Tai Chi or Wing Chun: $60
- Shanghai Yu Garden and Bund Private Walking Tour: $25
- Shanghai private Tour to Zhujiajiao Water Town and tallest tower: $230
- Yiwu International Trade City Private Day Tour from Shanghai by Bullet Train: $216
- Yuyuan Garden and Shanghai Museum Private Shanghai Day Tour: $175
- Zhouzhuang Water Town Self-Guided Day Tour from Shanghai: $88
- shanghai water town tour zhujiajiao: $248
- 1 Day Shanghai Airport Layover Private Tour for City Highlights: $202
- 1 Day Shanghai City Private Tour + Zhujiajiao Water Town: $230
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.11Shanghai $7.46
Sample the Local Flavors in Shanghai
Also in Shanghai, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- 4-Hour Shanghai Pub Crawl (bars & nightclub hopping): $23
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Shanghai, we can see that Shanghai 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 Shanghai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shanghai 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 Shanghai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Shanghai?
Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 580 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Shanghai, 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 Shanghai?
Shanghai 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 Shanghai in the Summer?
Both Shanghai 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. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Shanghai because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Vang Vieng is generally cooler than Shanghai. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 22°C (72°F), and Shanghai fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
In Shanghai, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Vang Vieng often gets less sunshine than Shanghai. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shanghai receives 232 hours of full sun.
Shanghai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in July than Shanghai. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)Shanghai 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Shanghai in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Shanghai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year.
Vang Vieng is a little warmer than Shanghai in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Shanghai fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
In Vang Vieng, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Shanghai during autumn. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Shanghai receives 162 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Vang Vieng usually receives around the same amount of rain as Shanghai. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Shanghai 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Shanghai in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Shanghai. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Shanghai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Shanghai. In the winter, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Shanghai. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vang Vieng in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Shanghai averages at about 4°C (39°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 Shanghai. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shanghai receives 135 hours of full sun.
Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in January than Shanghai. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)Shanghai 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Shanghai in the Spring?
Both Shanghai 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 Shanghai in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Shanghai. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Shanghai fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Shanghai during spring. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Shanghai receives 153 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Shanghai. It's quite rainy in Vang Vieng. In April, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Shanghai. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Shanghai 15°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Shanghai and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | Shanghai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 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.