Which place is cheaper, Surfers Paradise or Vang Vieng?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Vang Vieng or Surfers Paradise?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Surfers Paradise? 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 Surfers Paradise?
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.
Surfers Paradise
A tourist mecca, Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular travel destinations along Australia's famed Gold Coast. The beach stretches for miles and there is an endless supply of almost constant parties. You'll find high rise apartments lined up along the shore and plenty of shopping areas, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. Travelers from around the world visit the area, and it's a right of passage for Australia's teens to vacation in or near Surfers Paradise. For many travelers, Surfers Paradise comes across as little more than a mass marketed, over commercialized, party destination, but for others it is a vacation dream. Prices are highly inflated so you have to keep your whits about you to avoid being ripped off. Surfers Paradise is a destination of extremes and it conjures up extreme emotions in many travelers, be it positive or negative.
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 Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $14Surfers Paradise $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $14, while the average daily cost in Surfers Paradise is $104. 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 Surfers Paradise in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.34Surfers Paradise $66
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.68Surfers Paradise $132
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Surfers Paradise
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng or Surfers Paradise? 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vang Vieng $3.18Surfers Paradise $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surfers Paradise
Also for Surfers Paradise, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Gold Coast Hot Air Balloon + Winery Breakfast + Return Transfers: $291
- Private Transfer to Brisbane/BNE Airport from Gold Coast/OOL Airport( 1-7 pax): $229
- All-Inclusive Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Day Cruise (Gold Coast Transfer): $149
- Gold Coast Airport Transfers Corporate Chauffeurs Gold Coast: $119
- Private Transfer from Brisbane Airports to Surfers Paradise: $106
- Luxury Private Transfer between Gold Coast Airport and Gold Coast city (1-7pax) : $89
- Private Transfer from Gold Coast Airport - Surfers Paradise: $50
- Gold Coast Theme Parks: Shared Hotel Transfers: $14
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Surfers Paradise?
Prices for flights to both Surfers Paradise 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 dayVang Vieng $6.31Surfers Paradise $26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $78
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.87Surfers Paradise $23
Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.
- Discover Vang Vieng Private Tour- Trekking, Kayaking and Caving: $102
- Full Day Private Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave Tour: $156
- Half-Day Nam Song River Kayak Tour with Zipline or Tham None: $27
- One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng : $50
- Train ticket Vang vieng to Luang prabang: $50
- Vang Vieng Bike Tour: $39
- Vang Vieng Kayaking Fun Rapid and Float Tour: $35
- Vang Vieng Tour A - Blue lagoon 3 with Caves and Zipline: $110
- Vang Vieng Tour B - Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour: $55
- Blue Lagoon and Countryside Bike Tour with Lunch: $50
- Jungle & Caves Full-Day Private Trekking Tour: $120
Typical Entertainment Prices in Surfers Paradise
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Surfers Paradise's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Surf Lesson$78
Tours and Activities in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Evening Rainforest & Glow Worm Experience - Small Group Tour: $79
- 1.5hr Jetski Tour with island stopover - SELF DRIVE - NO LICENCE NEEDED: $185
- 2.5hrs Jetski Tour with island stopover / Self Drive / Surfers Paradise: $259
- Barefoot Luxury Mount Tamborine Winery Tour from Gold Coast: $151
- Body Massage Experience in Gold Coast : $98
- Buffet Lunch Sightseeing Cruise: $59
- Catch a Crab Tour with Optional Seafood Lunch: $53
- Glow Worms - Nocturnal Rainforest/Waterfall Adventure: $72
- Gold Coast 1.5-Hour Sightseeing River Cruise from Surfers Paradise: $30
- Gold Coast City Lights Cruise: $37
- Gold Coast Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Cruise Day Pass: $30
- Gold Coast Quack'rDuck Amphibious Tour from Surfers Paradise: $33
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.14Surfers Paradise $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Surfers Paradise, we can see that Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Surfers Paradise?
Vang Vieng has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Surfers Paradise, 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 Surfers Paradise?
Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Surfers Paradise. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Also, many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Vang Vieng is cooler than Surfers Paradise in the summer. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Surfers Paradise this time of the year. Vang Vieng usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during summer. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 256 hours of full sun in the summer.
Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein January. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)Surfers Paradise 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Surfers Paradise. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Surfers Paradise for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.
In the autumn, Vang Vieng is around the same temperature as Surfers Paradise. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vang Vieng in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 22°C (71°F)in April.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vang Vieng this time of the year. In the autumn, Vang Vieng often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Surfers Paradisein April. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 214 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in October than Surfers Paradisein April. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Surfers Paradise 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?
Both Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Surfers Paradisein July. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 24°C (75°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
It's quite sunny in Surfers Paradise. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Surfers Paradise during winter. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein July. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)Surfers Paradise 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?
Both Surfers Paradise 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. Furthermore, the beaches are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year.
Vang Vieng is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise in the spring. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in April, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 21°C (69°F)in October.
In Surfers Paradise, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Vang Vieng. In the spring, Vang Vieng often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradisein October. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 259 hours of full sun.
Surfers Paradise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in April than Surfers Paradisein October. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Surfers Paradise 21°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | Surfers Paradise | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 103 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 129 mm (5.1 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.