A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Vientiane vs. Boston for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Vientiane or Boston?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Boston, 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 Boston?

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.

Boston

Boston is one of the oldest and most historic cities in New England. It is also the capital of the state of Massachusetts and the largest city in the region. The city proper covers 48 square miles and has a population of more than 600,000. The Greater Boston area has 4.5 million people and is the tenth largest metropolitan area in the country.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, and The Best Camping Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Boston or Vientiane?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Vientiane Prices
    Laos Prices
    Boston Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Vientiane $23
    Boston $291

The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $23, while the average daily cost in Boston is $291. 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 Boston in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Vientiane $8.17
    Boston $166
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Vientiane $16
    Boston $332
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Boston

Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Boston? 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.

Hotels in Vientiane


Hotels in Boston


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 Boston Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Vientiane $1.94
    Boston $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:


  • Tuk Tuk Ride
    $4.02

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:

  • Vientiane Private Transfer: Wattay Airport -Hotel-Railway Station: $9.90
  • Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
  • Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $20
  • Private transfer from Vientiane to Vang vieng: $120

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Boston

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Boston are as follows:


  • Taxi
    $35
  • Subway Daily Pass
    $9.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boston:

  • Private Departure Transfer to Boston Airport BOS: $28
  • BOS Airport Private Transfer to/from Boston Downtown: $37
  • Boston to Boston Logan Airport (BOS) - Departure Private Transfer: $58
  • Boston Logan Airport (BOS) to Boston - Arrival Private Transfer: $58
  • Manchester–Boston Regional Airport to Manchester - Arrival Private Transfer: $71
  • Manchester to Manchester–Boston Regional Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $71
  • Private Transfer from Flynn Cruise Port to Boston Airport (BOS): $78
  • Private Transfer from Boston Airport (BOS) to Flynn Cruise Port: $78
  • Round Trip Private Transfer Boston Airport BOS to Boston Downtown: $83
  • One Way Airport Transfer Service: $85
  • Flynn Cruise Port to Boston Logan Intl Airport (BOS)- Departure Private Transfer: $91
  • Departure Private Transfer Boston to Boston Airport BOS: $101

Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Boston?

Prices for flights to both Boston 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Vientiane $12
    Boston $86

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vientiane

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vientiane.

  • Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour and Lunch: $70
  • Vientiane classic Food tour ( Included Food ): $78
  • Night Market, Dinner, and Nightclub: $90
  • Small-Group Street Food Tour with Tastings: $91
  • Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour: $122
  • Cooking Class Garden House: $335

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Boston

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Boston.

  • Self-Guided "The North End Pizza, Cannoli and Picnic" Tour: $5.50
  • Morning Walks with Salem Food Tours: $34
  • Freedom Trail History and Food Tour: $39
  • Boston Food Tour: Pizza & North End Italian Classics: $69
  • Harvard Square's Sweetest Food Tour: Donuts, Sweet Treats & More: $70
  • Boston Sweet Treats Food Tour: Fresh Donuts, Cider & Much More: $70
  • Boston Holiday Food Tour: Donuts, Sweet Treats & Holiday Cheer: $70
  • Boston’s North End Food Tour: Italian Flavors and Heritage Walk: $70
  • Harvard Square French Fry and Pairings Food Tour: $73
  • 2-Hour North End Food Tour with Chowder & Pizza: $74
  • North End & Little Italy Food Tour with Local Dishes: $74
  • Pizza Beer and Paul Revere Tour: $75

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Vientiane $3.68
    Boston $33

Tours and Activities in Vientiane

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:

  • Laos Railway Tickets Easily: Avoid Long Queues & Wasted Time: $8.50
  • Vientiane Lao Art Museum Admission Ticket: $10
  • Laos Railway Tickets Online: Skip Long Queues, Avoid Missing: $12
  • Art, Culture, & Inspiration Guided Half-Day Tour: $52
  • Half-Day City Tour with Patuxai and Buddha Park: $52
  • Vientiane Landmarks and Cultural Immersion Tour: $56
  • Cultural Tour with Buddha Park and Patuxay: $58
  • Vientiane IG tour & Patuxay monument: $59
  • Explore Vientiane with Lao Art Museum Tour: $61
  • Half-Day City Tour - Morning or Afternoon: $65
  • Vientiane Sky Luge and Roller Zipline Experience: $75
  • Vientiane Half Day City Tour (Daily Guaranteed): $80

Typical Entertainment Prices in Boston

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Boston are as follows:


  • Two Tickets to Celtics Game
    $101
  • Duck Tour
    $32

Tours and Activities in Boston

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boston are as follows:

  • Boston Highlights: Self‑Guided Walking Tour: $1.09
  • Harvard’s Secret Society: Exploration Game and Tour: $4.86
  • App-Guided "Historic Boston Downtown Freedom Trail" Walking Tour: $5.00
  • The Ghosts of Boston's Past Haunted Self-guided Tour: $5.00
  • Self Guided Podcast Tour Boston Unbound The Road to Revolution: $5.49
  • Self-Guided Podcast Tour Engineering Democracy: $5.49
  • Boston Freedom Trail Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $5.73
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour of Boston North End: $5.75
  • Deadly Boston A Tour of Beantown Most Brutal Crimes: $5.99
  • North End Boston Mafia Exploration Game and Tour: $6.18
  • Podcast Tour Boston The Two Faces of Beacon Hill: $6.87
  • Podcast Tour Boston The 22 Billion Dollar Scar and Salvation: $6.87

For more ideas for your next trip, check out Free Things to Do in Boston, Must-See Monuments and Memorials In Boston, and The Best Things To Do in Boston with Kids.


Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Vientiane $2.05
    Boston $27

Sample the Local Flavors in Boston

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Boston:

  • Bully Boy Distillery: Distillery Tour and Tasting: $15
  • Boston Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
  • Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
  • Boston Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Haunted Pub Crawl of Historic Pubs and Taverns: $35
  • 2 Hour Historic Pub Crawl in Boston: $35
  • Salem Booze and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl by US Ghost Adventures: $36
  • Boston Revolutionary Pub Crawl History Bars and Drinks: $44
  • History Pub Crawl Tour Along the Freedom Trail: $50
  • DIY Candle Making Class at a Local Brewery: $55
  • Sushi Making Class at a Local Distillery in Boston: $75
  • Sushi Making Class at a Local Brewery in Boston: $75


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


Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Boston?

Boston has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Boston, 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 Boston?

Boston 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 Boston in the Summer?

Both Boston 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, many visitors come to Boston in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Vientiane is a little warmer than Boston in the summer. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 30°C (85°F) in July, and Boston fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Boston. Vientiane usually receives less sunshine than Boston during summer. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 304 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Vientiane. In July, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Boston. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Boston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Vientiane 30°C (85°F) 
    Boston 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Vientiane or Boston in the Autumn?

Both Boston 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Boston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Vientiane is much warmer than Boston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vientiane in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Boston averages at about 54°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Vientiane. In the autumn, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Boston. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 194 hours of full sun.

Vientiane usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Boston. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Vientiane 28°C (83°F) 
    Boston 54°F (12°C)

Should I visit Vientiane or Boston in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Boston. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Boston because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

The weather in Boston can be very cold. In January, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Boston. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 24°C (75°F), and Boston fluctuates around 29°F (-2°C).

In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Boston during winter. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Boston. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Vientiane 24°C (75°F) 
    Boston 29°F (-2°C)

Should I visit Vientiane or Boston in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Boston. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Boston this time of year.

It's very hot in Vientiane this time of the year. Vientiane is much warmer than Boston in the spring. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and Boston fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Boston. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane this time of the year. In the spring, Vientiane often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Boston. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 225 hours of full sun.

Vientiane usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Boston. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Vientiane 31°C (88°F) 
    Boston 48°F (9°C)

Typical Weather for Boston and Vientiane

Vientiane Boston
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 29°F (-2°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 30°F (-1°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Mar 29°C (85°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 38°F (4°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm)
Apr 31°C (88°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 48°F (9°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
May 30°C (87°F) 255 mm (10 in) 58°F (15°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Jun 30°C (86°F) 273 mm (10.7 in) 68°F (20°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Jul 30°C (85°F) 266 mm (10.5 in) 73°F (23°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm)
Aug 29°C (85°F) 323 mm (12.7 in) 72°F (22°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 295 mm (11.6 in) 64°F (18°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Oct 28°C (83°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 54°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 45°F (7°C) 4.3 inches (108 mm)
Dec 24°C (74°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 33°F (1°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)