Which place is cheaper, Bern or Vientiane?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Vientiane or Bern?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Bern, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Vientiane or Bern?
Vientiane
You wouldn't expect the capital city to have such a relaxing environment, but in Vientiane, Laos you can sit back and take in the beautiful scenery without feeling pressure to see every little thing. With Vientiane, what you see is what you get.
While picturesque temples and markets line the streets, the city is still experiencing a successful building boom. Even the Presidential Palace has undergone some hefty renovations.
Bern
The capital city of Switzerland, Bern, is a surprisingly small city with a population of only about 130,000. It's located on a peninsula that is created by the turns of the River Aare. The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it has a wonderfully preserved old town area. There are about four miles worth of quaint walkways that are lined with clock towers and fountains.
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 Switzerland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $15Bern $252
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $15, while the average daily cost in Bern is $252. 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 Vientiane and Bern in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $6.00Bern $163
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $12Bern $326
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Bern
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Bern? 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: Vientiane Hotel Prices and Bern Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.08Bern $34
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$4.23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:
- Private Transfer in Laos: $5.00
- Vientiane Private Airport and Hotel Transfers: $9.00
- Vientiane Airport Transfer: Wattay airport to hotel - Private transfer: $15
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bern
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bern:
- Private Car Departure Transfer from Bern to Bern Airport BRN: $73
- Private Direct Transfer From Bern to Basel: $192
- Private Transfer From Bern To Basel With a 2 Hour Stop in Olten: $214
- Private Transfer From Bern to Zurich, English Speaking Driver: $228
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Bern?
Prices for flights to both Bern and Vientiane 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 dayVientiane $6.30Bern $60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vientiane
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vientiane.
- Private Evening Food Tour of Laos: $70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bern
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bern.
- Cooking delicious Spanish paella in Switzerland.: $66
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.53Bern $34
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- Vientiane ATV and Canopy Walking Experience: $48
- Vientiane Sky Luge and Roller Zipline Experience: $55
- From Hue: Hue to Vientiane Bus tickets: $61
- Half-Day Vientiane City Bike Tour: $67
- Vientiane Half-Day City Tour: $69
- Guided Vientiane City and Buddha Park Full-Day Tour: $81
- Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide in Vientiane: $82
- Vientiane City Day Tour and Buddha Park Visit with Lunch: $88
- 2 Days Private Tour in Vientiane and Vang Vieng: $90
- Private Vientiane Tour - include Buddha Park: $100
- Private Tour: Full-day Vientiane's Must-See Sights and River Sunset with Lunch: $101
- Private Tour: Half-day City Guided Tour of Vientiane: $113
Tours and Activities in Bern
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bern are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Bern Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $4.39
- Bern Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $7.00
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $7.48
- Escape Game and Tour: $8.61
- Self-Guided Tour of Bern's Fountains, Clocktowers, and Legends: $9.99
- Beautiful Bern's Old Town: Self Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- City Sightseeing Self-Guided Walking Tour Game: $15
- Thun Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
- Fribourg Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
- Bern Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.34Bern $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Bern, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Vientiane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Vientiane is in Asia and Bern 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 Vientiane would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vientiane 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 Bern would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bern than you might in Vientiane.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vientiane Expensive? and Is Bern Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Bern?
Vientiane has a larger population, and is about 62% larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Bern, 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 Vientiane or Bern?
Bern has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Vientiane experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Vientiane or Bern in the Summer?
Both Bern and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Vientiane is a little warmer than Bern in the summer. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 30°C (85°F) in July, and Bern fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
It's quite sunny in Bern. Vientiane usually receives less sunshine than Bern during summer. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Vientiane. In July, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Bern. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Bern 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Bern in the Autumn?
Both Bern and Vientiane during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Bern because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Vientiane is much warmer than Bern. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vientiane in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Bern averages at about 13°C (55°F).
It's quite sunny in Vientiane. In the autumn, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Bern. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 126 hours of full sun.
Vientiane usually gets more rain in October than Bern. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Bern 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Bern in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Bern. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bern this time of year.
It's quite cold in Bern in the winter. In January, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Bern. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 24°C (75°F), and Bern fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Bern during winter. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 65 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Bern. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Bern 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Bern in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Bern. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Bern for the natural beauty.
It's very hot in Vientiane this time of the year. Vientiane is much warmer than Bern in the spring. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and Bern fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane this time of the year. In the spring, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Bern. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 164 hours of full sun.
Vientiane usually gets more rain in April than Bern. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Bern receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Bern 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Bern and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Bern | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 55 mm (2.2 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.