Which place is cheaper, Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Byron Bay, 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 Byron Bay?
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.
Byron Bay
South of Brisbane, off the Pacific Highway, is the coastal town of Byron Bay. It is close to Cape Byron, which is the easternmost point in mainland Australia. Byron Bay makes its way onto most traveler's itineraries because of its wonderful beach activities. The area is world famous for its waves, making it popular with surfers, but it also has incredible scuba diving, whale watching, and a generally relaxed atmosphere. The area continues to rise in popularity with travelers and as such, amenities and facilities are popping up everywhere.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.
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Vientiane Prices
Laos PricesByron Bay Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $24Byron Bay $175
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $24, while the average daily cost in Byron Bay is $175. 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 Byron Bay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $8.45Byron Bay $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $17Byron Bay $134
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Byron Bay
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Byron Bay? 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 Byron Bay Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.01Byron Bay $32
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 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
- Vientiane - Hanoi Sleeping Bus Transfer : $63
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Byron Bay?
Prices for flights to both Byron Bay 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 $12Byron Bay $83
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 Byron Bay
Some typical examples of dining costs in Byron Bay are as follows:
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Dinner at Olivo (for 2)$59
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Byron Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Byron Bay.
- Bangalow Native Bush Food Tour: $50
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.80Byron Bay $36
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: $30
- Laos Railway Tickets Online: Skip Long Queues, Avoid Missing: $30
- Art, Culture, & Inspiration Guided Half-Day Tour: $52
- Half-Day City Tour with Patuxai and Buddha Park: $52
- Vientiane Sky Luge and Roller Zipline Experience: $55
- Vientiane Landmarks and Cultural Immersion Tour: $56
- Cultural Tour with Buddha Park and Patuxay: $58
- Vientiane IG tour & Patuxay monument: $59
- Half-Day City Tour - Morning or Afternoon: $65
- Vientiane Half Day City Tour: $80
- Vientiane : Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $88
- Vientiane Half-Day City Tour: $89
Typical Entertainment Prices in Byron Bay
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Byron Bay are as follows:
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Buddha Gardens Spa (for 2)$124
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Surf Lesson$43
Tours and Activities in Byron Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Byron Bay are as follows:
- Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens Entry Ticket: $33
- Skip the Line: Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens Admission Ticket: $33
- Brunswick River Scenic Kayak Tour: $40
- WANDER BYRON Guided Sunrise Tours to Cape Byron Lighthouse: $46
- Sunset River Cruise near Byron Bay: $47
- Broken Head Aboriginal Tour: $50
- Cape Byron Aboriginal Tour: $50
- Broken Head Aboriginal Tour: $50
- Byron Bay Private Bike Tour : $50
- Cape Byron Aboriginal Tour: $50
- Group 2.5 Hour Stand-Up Paddle Board Tour: $56
- Stand-Up Paddle Board Tour in Byron Bay: $57
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.12Byron Bay $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Byron Bay
Also in Byron Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Arvo Session Brewery and Distillery Tour: $99
- Afternoon Brewery and Distillery session : $104
- Full-Day Brewery and Distillery Tour with Lunch: $136
- Full Barrel Brewery and Distillery tour: $137
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Byron Bay, we can see that Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay is in Pacific, 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 Byron Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Byron Bay?
Vientiane has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Byron Bay. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Byron Bay, 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 Byron Bay?
Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay in the Summer?
Both Byron Bay 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 travelers come to Byron Bay for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Vientiane is a little warmer than Byron Bay. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vientiane in July average around 30°C (85°F), and Byron Bay averages at about 23°C (74°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Byron Bay. It's quite rainy in Vientiane. In July, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Byron Bayin January. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryVientiane 30°C (85°F)Byron Bay 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Byron Bay in the Autumn?
Both Byron Bay 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, many visitors come to Byron Bay in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Vientiane is generally a little warmer than Byron Bayin April. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 28°C (83°F), and Byron Bay fluctuates around 20°C (69°F).
Byron Bay gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vientiane usually gets less rain in October than Byron Bayin April. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilVientiane 28°C (83°F)Byron Bay 20°C (69°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Byron Bay in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Byron Bay. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Also, most visitors come to Byron Bay for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Vientiane is much warmer than Byron Bay in the winter. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Byron Bay fluctuates around 14°C (58°F)in July.
In January, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Byron Bayin July. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyVientiane 24°C (75°F)Byron Bay 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Byron Bay in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Byron Bay. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Byron Bay because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
The heat can be very extreme in Vientiane. In the spring, Vientiane is much warmer than Byron Bay. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vientiane in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Byron Bay averages at about 19°C (67°F)in October.
Vientiane usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Byron Bayin October. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberVientiane 31°C (88°F)Byron Bay 19°C (67°F)
Typical Weather for Byron Bay and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Byron Bay | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 32 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 118 mm (4.6 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.