Which place is cheaper, Zurich 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 Zurich?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Zurich? 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 Zurich?
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.
Zurich
Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.
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Vang Vieng Prices
Laos PricesZurich Prices
Switzerland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $19Zurich $364
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $19, while the average daily cost in Zurich is $364. 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 Zurich in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.25Zurich $197
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.50Zurich $394
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Zurich
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng or Zurich? 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 Zurich Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vang Vieng $3.11Zurich $41
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 Zurich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
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City Pass (2)$33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:
- WEF DAVOS 2025 | TRANSFER TO/FROM ZURICH AIRPORT TO DAVOS: $754
- Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to St Moritz: $693
- Private Transfer From Zurich Airport to Grindelwald: $656
- Private Transfer from Zurich Airport to Lauterbrunnen: $599
- Private transfer between Zurich Airport to/from Interlaken.: $566
- Transfer Zurich Airport to Basel: $539
- Private Transfer between Zurich and Interlaken: $478
- Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to Lucerne: $478
- Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to St Anton am Arlberg: $467
- Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to Lech am Arlberg: $467
- Privat Transfer Lucerne to Zurich Airport: $450
- Zurich Airport: Private Lucerne Transfer by Mercedes: $450
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Zurich?
Prices for flights to both Zurich 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 $11Zurich $124
Typical Food Prices in Zurich
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
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Breakfast for 2$16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zurich
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zurich.
- Food Tour of 8+ Tastings with Cheeses & Chocolates: $154
- Zurich Food Tour of 10+ Swiss Specialties w/ Cheeses & Chocolates: $156
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.76Zurich $41
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
Tours and Activities in Zurich
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
- 3 in 1: Zurich Walking Tour - Cruise on the Lake - Cable Car Ride to Felsenegg: $115
- Beer Tasting Tour in Zurich: $161
- Best of Zurich Tour with Felsenegg Cable Car and Ferry Ride : $85
- Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $108
- Bike Private Tour with Pickup and Drop off From Zurich: $163
- Chocolate Walking Tour in Zurich: $97
- Chocolate, Art, and History walking tour of Zurich: $94
- Cinematic Zurich – Photo and Video Shoot Tour: $566
- City e-bike tour: $50
- City tour historic old town Zurich: $48
- Crash Landing on You: Switzerland Filming Locations Day Tour: $317
- Day Trip from Grindelwald First Mountain Adventure: $224
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.11Zurich $34
Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich
Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour with Shots and Snacks: $38
- Pub Crawl Zurich: $39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Zurich, we can see that Zurich 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 Zurich is in Europe, 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich 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 Zurich Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Zurich?
Zurich has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Zurich, 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 Zurich?
Zurich 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 Zurich in the Summer?
Both Zurich 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. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Zurich because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Vang Vieng is generally around the same temperature as Zurich. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 22°C (72°F), and Zurich fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
In Zurich, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Vang Vieng often gets less sunshine than Zurich. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 241 hours of full sun.
Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in July than Zurich. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)Zurich 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Zurich in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Zurich. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Also, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Zurich this time of year.
Vang Vieng is much warmer than Zurich in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Zurich fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
In Vang Vieng, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Zurich during autumn. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Zurich. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Zurich 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Zurich in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Zurich. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Zurich for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Zurich. In the winter, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Zurich. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vang Vieng in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Zurich averages at about 3°C (37°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 Zurich. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 55 hours of full sun.
Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in January than Zurich. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)Zurich 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Zurich in the Spring?
Both Zurich 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 Zurich in the spring for the natural beauty.
In April, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Zurich. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Zurich fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Zurich during spring. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Vang Vieng. In April, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Zurich. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Zurich 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Zurich and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | Zurich | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 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.