Which place is cheaper, Yamaguchi 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 Yamaguchi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Yamaguchi? 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 Yamaguchi?
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.
Yamaguchi
Yamaguchi, Japan is the capital city of the Yamaguchi Prefecture, located on the Western tip of Honshu, Japan. During medieval times, Yamaguchi City flourished and was essentially the capital of Japan when Kyoto was demolished by the Onin war. After 1551, the city lost this standing, although evidence of its precious prosperity can be found in the architecture and even in the planning of the city.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo.
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Vang Vieng Prices
Laos PricesYamaguchi Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $19Yamaguchi $100
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $19, while the average daily cost in Yamaguchi is $100. 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 Yamaguchi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.25Yamaguchi $47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.50Yamaguchi $94
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Yamaguchi
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng or Yamaguchi? 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 Yamaguchi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vang Vieng $3.11Yamaguchi $21
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yamaguchi
Also for Yamaguchi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Yamaguchi Ube Airport To/From Yamaguch City Private Transfer: $399
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Yamaguchi?
Prices for flights to both Yamaguchi 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 $11Yamaguchi $40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yamaguchi
For Yamaguchi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Yamaguchi ；Healthy tea drinking ； dinner: $81
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.76Yamaguchi $8.69
Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.
- 1 Day Guided Tour in Cave from Vang Vieng: $175
- Get Your Laos–China Train Ticket Fast – No Waiting, No Worries: $30
- Laos: Jungle Zipline and Caving Tour: $58
- Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour in Vang Vieng: $180
- Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike and Blue Lagoon Tour: $79
- One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng : $50
- Vang Vieng 1-Day Cave Exploration Tour with Guide: $175
- Vang Vieng Ballooning Adventures: $260
- Vang Vieng Bike Tour: $49
- Vang Vieng Day Tour - Longtail boat, Paragliding: $175
- Vang Vieng Hot Air Balloon Experience and Longtail Boat: $137
- Vang Vieng Hot Air Balloon Kayak Zipline,Blue lagoon1 Tour: $148
Tours and Activities in Yamaguchi
For Yamaguchi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Fuji Plan - Kimono Experience and City Walk -: $37
- Kiku Plan - Wagashi making and tea ceremony experience -: $24
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.11Yamaguchi $8.21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Yamaguchi, we can see that Yamaguchi 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 Yamaguchi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yamaguchi 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 Yamaguchi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Yamaguchi?
Yamaguchi has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Yamaguchi, 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 Yamaguchi?
Yamaguchi 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 Yamaguchi in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Yamaguchi. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Also, many visitors come to Yamaguchi in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
Vang Vieng is cooler than Yamaguchi in the summer. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Yamaguchi fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Yamaguchi receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Yamaguchi. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Yamaguchi receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)Yamaguchi 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Yamaguchi in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Yamaguchi. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Yamaguchi for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Vang Vieng is a little warmer than Yamaguchi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vang Vieng in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Yamaguchi averages at about 19°C (65°F).
Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in October than Yamaguchi. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Yamaguchi receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Yamaguchi 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Yamaguchi in the Winter?
Both Yamaguchi 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 Yamaguchi because of the museums and the cuisine.
In January, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Yamaguchi. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 24°C (75°F), and Yamaguchi fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).
In January, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Yamaguchi. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Yamaguchi receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)Yamaguchi 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Yamaguchi in the Spring?
Both Yamaguchi 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 natural beauty are the main draw to Yamaguchi this time of year.
Vang Vieng is much warmer than Yamaguchi in the spring. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in April, and Yamaguchi fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
Yamaguchi 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 Yamaguchi. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Yamaguchi receives 162 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Yamaguchi 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Yamaguchi and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | Yamaguchi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 108 mm (4.2 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 271 mm (10.7 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 59 mm (2.3 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.