Which place is cheaper, Bruges or Vientiane?
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 Vientiane or Bruges?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Bruges, 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 Bruges?
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.
Bruges
Located in the northern part of Belgium, in Flanders, Bruges is one of the most charming and well preserved cities in Europe. With its stone streets and charming shops, it is a postcard perfect city that seems to have jumped out of the pages of a Disney fairytale. The city itself is quite compact, adding to the charm and making it easily walkable. Even given its old world charm, it manages to present a cosmopolitan air as well. There's an active nightlife, but during the day the historical city center is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace. You can take a carriage ride through the cobblestone streets or you can wander around on your own. Be sure to swing into some of the museums, cathedrals, and churches you'll see along the way. There are now shops everywhere that are designed to appeal to tourists. While some may be easy to walk by, it takes the strongest souls to ignore the chocolate shops you'll see on your way.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Belgium, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Belgium.
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Vientiane Prices
Laos PricesBruges Prices
Belgium Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $24Bruges $189
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $24, while the average daily cost in Bruges is $189. 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 Bruges in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $8.45Bruges $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $17Bruges $138
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Bruges
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Bruges? 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 Bruges Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.01Bruges $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$4.15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:
- Vientiane - Hanoi Sleeping Bus Transfer : $63
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $20
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Vientiane Private Transfer: Wattay Airport -Hotel-Railway Station: $9.90
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bruges
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Bruges:
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Five Day Bus Pass$18
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Bike Rental for Day$9.39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bruges
Also for Bruges, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bruges hotel to Ostend Airport (OST) - Departure Private Transfer: $71
- Ostend Bruges Airport (OST) to Bruges - Arrival Private Transfer: $71
- Ostend Airport (OST) to Bruges hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $72
- Bruges to Ostend Bruges Airport(OST) - Departure Private Transfer: $72
- Private Transfer from Bruges City Hotels to Zeebrugge Cruise Port: $75
- Private Transfer from Zeebrugge Cruise Port to Bruges hotels: $75
- Ostend Airport (OST) to Bruges hotel - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $144
- Private transfer from Bruges to Lille, English-speaking driver: $150
- Private direct transfer from Bruges to Brussels: $154
- Private direct transfer from Cruise Port Zeebrugge to Brussels: $192
- Private transfer from Bruges to Brussels, 2h Stop in Ghent: $216
- Private Transfert from Bruges to Brussels Airport By Business car: $238
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Bruges?
Prices for flights to both Bruges 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 $12Bruges $105
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vientiane
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vientiane.
- Vientiane classic Food tour ( Included Food ): $78
- Night Market, Dinner, and Nightclub: $90
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour and Lunch: $95
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour: $122
- Cooking Class Garden House: $335
Typical Food Prices in Bruges
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Bruges:
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Cup of Tea$2.35
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Sandwich for Lunch$3.81
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bruges
For Bruges, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The 10 Tastings of Bruges With Locals: Private Food Tour : $161
- Bruges Food Tour with Full Meal & Drinks by Do Eat Better: $165
- Bruges Food Tour: 8 Tastings of Local Delicacies: $184
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.80Bruges $18
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- Vientiane Cultural Tour with Private Guide: $110
- 1-Day Tour to Vang Vieng with Private Guide: $200
- 1-Day Vientiane City Adventure: Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $110
- From Plain of Jars Tour & Homestay: $1,650
- From Vang Vieng 2-Day Tour with Blue Lagoon: $354
- From Vang Vieng Tour with Cave Kayak & Zipline: $113
- Guided Vientiane City and Buddha Park Full-Day Tour: $99
- Half Day Private Tour in City Highlights: $120
- Half-Day Vientiane City Bike Tour: $90
- Lao Arts Museum & City Highlights Tour with Lunch: $122
- Laos Railway Tickets Easily: Avoid Long Queues & Wasted Time: $30
- Laos Railway Tickets Online: Skip Long Queues, Avoid Missing: $30
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bruges
For Bruges, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Groeninge Museum Entrance$9.39
Tours and Activities in Bruges
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bruges.
- THE Storytelling Tour of Bruges | First Day Must | History & Tips: $3.56
- Gastronomic Tour: A Taste of Bruges: $3.56
- Walking Tour Exciting Stories, Mysteries, People: $3.57
- Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Bruges: $3.58
- 2-Hour Historical Walking Tour in Bruges with Praline Included: $3.59
- Bruges Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $7.13
- Bruges Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $8.32
- Salvador Dalí Exhibition in Bruges Admission Ticket: $12
- Historium Virtual Reality Ticket: $12
- Unknown A Self-Guided Audio Tour to the Heart of the Medieval Metropole: $12
- Frietmuseum Entrance Ticket: $13
- Bruges’ Legends and Hidden Treasures: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.12Bruges $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Bruges, we can see that Bruges 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 Bruges 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 Bruges would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bruges 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 Bruges Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Bruges?
Vientiane has a larger population, and is about 69% larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Bruges, 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 Bruges?
Bruges 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 Bruges in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Bruges. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Bruges in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Bruges. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 30°C (85°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bruges. In the summer, Vientiane often gets less sunshine than Bruges. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 202 hours of full sun.
Vientiane receives a lot of rain in the summer. Vientiane usually gets more rain in July than Bruges. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Bruges 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Bruges in the Autumn?
Both Bruges 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, most visitors come to Bruges for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Vientiane is much warmer than Bruges in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Bruges fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Bruges during autumn. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Bruges. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Bruges 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Bruges in the Winter?
Both Bruges 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. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Bruges because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Bruges can be very cold. In the winter, Vientiane is much warmer than Bruges. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vientiane in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Bruges averages at about 3°C (38°F).
It's quite sunny in Vientiane. In the winter, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Bruges. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 47 hours of full sun.
Vientiane usually gets less rain in January than Bruges. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Bruges 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Bruges in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Bruges. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Bruges this time of year.
Vientiane can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Bruges. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 31°C (88°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Bruges during spring. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Bruges. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Bruges 8°C (47°F)
Typical Weather for Bruges and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Bruges | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.