Which place is cheaper, Wellington or Vang Vieng?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Vang Vieng or Wellington?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Wellington? 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 Wellington?
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.
Wellington
Wellington is the capital and second largest city in New Zealand. It sits on the southwestern edge of the North Island between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range. It's a beautiful setting that is encircled by mountains giving it a beautiful backdrop. There are also many cultural sights and attractions around town. Wellington really is the perfect mix of New Zealand's natural beauty and a vibrant urban core. The film industry is also prevelant in the city. The city's production centers have helped create Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit trilogies, Avatar, Tin Tin, and District 9.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $14Wellington $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $14, while the average daily cost in Wellington is $103. 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 Wellington in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.34Wellington $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.68Wellington $120
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Wellington
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng or Wellington? 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 Wellington Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vang Vieng $3.18Wellington $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Wellington
Also for Wellington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer: $78
- Wellington Airport Transfer to Wellington Hotels and Vice versa: $75
- Private Transfer with Wellington Dial a Driver: $72
- Wētā Workshop Experience with Guided Transfers: $61
- Wellington Airport (WLG) to Wellington - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
- Private Transfer from Wellington hotels to Wellington Cruise Port: $26
- Private Transfer from Wellington Cruise Port to Wellington Hotels: $26
- Departure Transfer: Wellington Central City Centre Hotels to Wellington Airport: $13
- Arrival Transfer: Wellington Airport to Central Wellington City Centre Hotels: $13
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Wellington?
Prices for flights to both Wellington 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 $6.31Wellington $29
Typical Food Prices in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner$8.91
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Walking Food Tour Of Wellington: $151
- A Taste Of Wellington Food Tour (half Day): $185
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.87Wellington $16
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
Tours and Activities in Wellington
For Wellington, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 5 hour Wellington City Heights Shared tour: $90
- A Taste of Kapiti - Kapiti Foodie Delights Tour: $288
- From Cave to Coast Wellington Highlights Tour: $118
- From Source to Sea Remutaka Mountain Bike Cycle Tour: $103
- From Half-Day Foodie Tour of the Wairarapa: $105
- From Taste Buds Tour of Petone: $165
- Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour: $178
- Full Day Tour of Wellington: $178
- Full-Day Wellington Self-Guided Electric Bike Tour: $51
- Fully customizable tours: $148
- Guided Small Group Walking Tour in Wellington: $45
- Guided Wellington Sightseeing Tour by Electric Bike: $78
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.14Wellington $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Wellington
Also in Wellington, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wellington Craft Brewery Half Day Tour: $93
- Wellington Craft Brewery Half-Day Guided Tour with Tastings: $95
- 5 hour Martinborough shared Chefs Wine Tour with Gourmet lunch: $151
- Martinborough Full Day Wine Tour: $169
- Chefs Private Martinborough wine tour with Gourmet Lunch: $356
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Wellington, we can see that Wellington 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 Wellington 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 Wellington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wellington 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 Wellington Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Wellington?
Wellington has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Wellington, 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 Wellington?
Wellington 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 Wellington in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Wellington. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.
In July, Vang Vieng is generally a little warmer than Wellingtonin January. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 22°C (72°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wellington this time of the year. Vang Vieng usually receives less sunshine than Wellington during summer. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin January. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)Wellington 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Wellington in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Wellington. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Wellington for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
Vang Vieng is much warmer than Wellington in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Wellington fluctuates around 15°C (58°F)in April.
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 Wellingtonin April. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun.
Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in October than Wellingtonin April. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Wellington 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Wellington in the Winter?
Both Wellington 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, many visitors come to Wellington in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Wellington. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vang Vieng in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Wellington averages at about 10°C (49°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during winter. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Wellington. In January, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin July. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)Wellington 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Wellington in the Spring?
Both Wellington 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, most visitors come to Wellington for the beaches during these months.
In April, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Wellingtonin October. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
It's quite sunny in Vang Vieng. In the spring, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Wellingtonin October. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 180 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 Wellingtonin October. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Wellington 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Wellington and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | Wellington | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 69 mm (2.7 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.