A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Vang Vieng vs. Wollongong for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Vang Vieng or Wollongong?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Wollongong? 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 Wollongong?

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.

Wollongong

Wollongong is south of Sydney in New South Wales. It is also the third largest city in the state. Wollongong has a unique geography in that it is only six kilometers wide at its widest point and is forty kilometers long. It is squeezed in between the mountains and the ocean and in the process of growth, has swallowed several coastal towns between Dapto and Port Kembla. Wollongong is home to the University of Wollongong and has a diverse population that includes people of Serbian, Croatian, Italian, and Turkish descent among other nationalities. The influence of these cultures is obvious in the city's restaurant and entertainment options. Throughout the city you'll find some wonderful beaches with few crowds and some decent surfing opportunities.

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 Australia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Wollongong, we can see that Wollongong 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 Wollongong 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 Wollongong would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wollongong 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 Wollongong Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Wollongong?

Wollongong has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Wollongong, 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 Wollongong?

Wollongong 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 Wollongong in the Summer?

Both Wollongong and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Wollongong this time of year.

Vang Vieng is around the same temperature as Wollongong in the summer. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Wollongong fluctuates around 23°C (74°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Wollongong. Vang Vieng usually receives less sunshine than Wollongong during summer. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Wollongong receives 236 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Wollongongin January. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Wollongong in the Autumn?

Both Wollongong and Vang Vieng during the autumn 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, many travelers come to Wollongong for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Vang Vieng is a little warmer than Wollongong. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vang Vieng in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Wollongong averages at about 18°C (64°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Vang Vieng. In the autumn, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Wollongongin April. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wollongong receives 195 hours of full sun.

Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in October than Wollongongin April. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Wollongong in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Wollongong. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Wollongong in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Wollongongin July. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 24°C (75°F), and Wollongong fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wollongong this time of the year. In Vang Vieng, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Wollongong during winter. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Wollongong receives 208 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Wollongongin July. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Wollongong in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Wollongong. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Wollongong for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

Vang Vieng is a little warmer than Wollongong in the spring. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in April, and Wollongong fluctuates around 17°C (63°F)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wollongong. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vang Vieng this time of the year. In the spring, Vang Vieng often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Wollongongin October. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wollongong receives 240 hours of full sun.

Vang Vieng receives a lot of rain in the spring. Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in April than Wollongongin October. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Wollongong and Vang Vieng