Which place is cheaper, Bonn or Vientiane?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Vientiane or Bonn?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Bonn, 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 Bonn?
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.
Bonn
Bonn was the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany (previously, West Germany) and it has a population of about 315,000 people. It sits on the Rhine River just twenty kilometers away from Cologne. Many people travel to Bonn for conferences and business, but Bonn also has a lot of cultural and historical sights to offer visitors. The city is also famous as the birth place of Ludwig van Beethoven. There's a strong student culture in the city as well, and it actually shares many characteristics with Italian cities because of its many cafes and restaurants which line the streets. Outdoor beer gardens are popular and Bonn is a particular good summer destination when the weather is pleasant and you can enjoy the outdoor setting. The city's location also makes it a great base for day trips to Cologne, Dusseldorf, and the Rhine and Eifel regions.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $15Bonn $165
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $15, while the average daily cost in Bonn is $165. 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 Bonn in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $6.00Bonn $91
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $12Bonn $182
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Bonn
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Bonn? 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 Bonn Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.08Bonn $24
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:
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $29
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Vientiane Airport Transfer: Wattay airport to hotel - Private transfer: $15
- Vientiane Private Airport and Hotel Transfers: $9.00
- Private Transfer in Laos: $5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bonn
Also for Bonn, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bonn hotels Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Bonn?
Prices for flights to both Bonn 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 $6.30Bonn $52
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.53Bonn $37
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- 2 Days Private Tour in Vientiane and Vang Vieng: $90
- Explore Vientiane and Local Villages Biking Tour: $184
- From Hue: Hue to Vientiane Bus tickets: $61
- Full Day Private Tour in Vientiane with Pickup: $142
- Guided Vientiane City and Buddha Park Full-Day Tour: $81
- Half Day Private Tour in City Highlights: $120
- Half-Day Vientiane City Bike Tour: $67
- Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide in Vientiane: $82
- Private Tour: Full-day Cycling The City Streets Vientiane with Buddha Park: $174
- 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
- Private Tour: Vientiane City Tour Full Day with Buddha Park: $145
Tours and Activities in Bonn
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bonn.
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Free Walking Tour Bonn - City Center: $3.23
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $4.31
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.45
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.46
- Bonn Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.58
- Bonn Self Guided City Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $7.31
- Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $8.07
- Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $11
- Bonn Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Autumn tours with a live guide: $20
- 1.5-Hour River Cruise on the Rhine: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.34Bonn $24
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Bonn, we can see that Bonn 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 Bonn 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 Bonn would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bonn 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 Bonn Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Bonn?
Bonn has a larger population, and is about 59% larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Bonn, 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 Bonn?
Bonn 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 Bonn in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Bonn. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Bonn for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Vientiane is much warmer than Bonn in the summer. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 30°C (85°F) in July, and Bonn fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In the summer, Vientiane often gets less sunshine than Bonn. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 191 hours of full sun.
Vientiane receives a lot of rain in the summer. Vientiane usually gets more rain in July than Bonn. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Bonn 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Bonn in the Autumn?
Both Bonn and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Bonn because of the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Vientiane is much warmer than Bonn. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vientiane in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Bonn averages at about 12°C (53°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Bonn during autumn. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 109 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Bonn. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Bonn 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Bonn in the Winter?
Both Bonn and Vientiane during the winter 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 museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bonn this time of year.
It's quite cold in Bonn in the winter. In January, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Bonn. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 24°C (75°F), and Bonn fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
It's quite sunny in Vientiane. In the winter, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Bonn. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 45 hours of full sun.
Vientiane usually gets less rain in January than Bonn. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Bonn 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Bonn in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Bonn. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round.
It's very hot in Vientiane this time of the year. Vientiane is much warmer than Bonn in the spring. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and Bonn fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Bonn during spring. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 145 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Bonn. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Bonn 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Bonn and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Bonn | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 47 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 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.