Which place is cheaper, Cairns or Vientiane?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Vientiane or Cairns?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Cairns, 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 Cairns?
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.
Cairns
Most travelers go to Cairns specifically to visit Great Barrier Reef. The city itself is surprisingly large and cosmopolitan with a population of approximately 140,000. The city's economy is almost exclusively based on tourism, although you will find some jobs centered around agriculture, or more specifically sugar cane, bananas, coffee, tea, wine, and some tropical fruits. The city itself is surrounded by rainforest and makes a great base for exploring Kuranda, with the Barron Gorge National Park and the Daintree offering a quieter tropical getaway than Cairns.
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 Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $15Cairns $94
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $15, while the average daily cost in Cairns is $94. 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 Cairns in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $6.01Cairns $43
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $12Cairns $86
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Cairns
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Cairns? 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 Cairns Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.08Cairns $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
-
Tuk Tuk Ride$4.24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $29
- Vientiane Private Airport and Hotel Transfers: $9.00
- Vientiane Airport Transfer: Wattay airport to hotel - Private transfer: $15
- Vientiane - Hanoi Sleeping Bus Transfer : $63
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Private Transfer in Laos: $5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairns
Also for Cairns, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Cairns airport to cairns city private Transfers: $13
- Shared Airport Transfer to/from City and Beaches: $14
- Cairns Airport/City Transfers: $14
- Airport Transfers between Cairns Airport and Cairns City: $14
- Airport Transfers between Cairns Airport and Palm Cove: $20
- Private Transfer from Cairns City Hotels to Cairns Cruise Port: $21
- Private Transfer From Cairns Cruise Port to Cairns City Hotels: $21
- Shared Shuttle Transfer - Cairns Airport to Port Douglas: $40
- Private Transfer from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Cairns Cruise Port: $45
- Private Transfer from Cairns Cruise Port to Cairns Airport (CNS): $45
- Shuttle Bus Shared Transfer Cairns City to Port Douglas: $49
- Shuttle Bus Shared Transfer Cairns Airport to Port Douglas: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Cairns?
Prices for flights to both Cairns 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 dayVientiane $6.32Cairns $28
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 Cairns
For Cairns, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cairns Luxury Catamaran Harbor and Dinner Cruise: $85
- Night at the Aquarium Guided Tour & 2 Course Dinner: $91
- Guided Twilight Tour with 3-Course Dinner: $117
- City Sights Tour with Evening Dinner Cruise: $149
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.54Cairns $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: $62
- 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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairns
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cairns's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Scuba Diving$36
Tours and Activities in Cairns
For Cairns, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Skip the Line: Cairns Museum Single Admission Ticket: $9.91
- Cairns Pub & Club Tour: $26
- Entry Ticket at Historic Village Herberton: $28
- Hartley's Crocodile Adventures General Entry Ticket: $30
- Cairns Aquarium General Admission Ticket: $34
- Sightseeing River Boat Safari with Soft Drinks: $36
- Sunset River Cruise with Snack and Drinks: $42
- Rusty's Market Foodlovers Tour: $43
- Kuranda Rainforestation Nature Park Ticket (BNP): $43
- Cairns Botanic Gardens: Mushroom Photography Tour: $44
- Full Day Tour by Myroo X Deluxe Coach to Mission Beach: $46
- Aquarium Entry Ticket and Turtle Rehabilitation Tour: $47
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.35Cairns $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Cairns
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cairns:
- Cairns Brewery Tours: $139
- From Atherton Tablelands Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $160
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Cairns, we can see that Cairns 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 Cairns 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 Cairns would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cairns 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 Cairns Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Cairns?
Vientiane has a larger population, and is about 28% larger than the population of Cairns. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Cairns, 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 Cairns?
Cairns 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 Cairns in the Summer?
Both Cairns and Vientiane during the summer 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 Cairns for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Vientiane is generally around the same temperature as Cairnsin January. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 30°C (85°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
Cairns gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually gets less rain in July than Cairnsin January. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain this time of the year. November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryVientiane 30°C (85°F)Cairns 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Cairns in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Cairns. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Cairns because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
Vientiane is around the same temperature as Cairns in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in April.
Cairns receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Cairnsin April. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 273 mm (10.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. April to October in Cairns is the dry season.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilVientiane 28°C (83°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Cairns in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Cairns. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cairns this time of year.
In the winter, Vientiane is around the same temperature as Cairns. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vientiane in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Cairns averages at about 23°C (73°F)in July.
Vientiane usually gets less rain in January than Cairnsin July. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyVientiane 24°C (75°F)Cairns 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Cairns in the Spring?
Both Cairns and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Cairns for the beaches.
Vientiane can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Vientiane is generally a little warmer than Cairnsin October. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 31°C (88°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
In April, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Cairnsin October. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Cairns is April to October. The rainy season in Cairns is November to March.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberVientiane 31°C (88°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Cairns and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Cairns | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 429 mm (16.9 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 469 mm (18.5 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 471 mm (18.5 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 273 mm (10.8 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 211 mm (8.3 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.