Which place is cheaper, Cardiff or Vientiane?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Vientiane or Cardiff?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Cardiff, 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 Cardiff?
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.
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital city of Wales, and a major port on the country's southern coast. Though Cardiff boomed with the coal industry during the Industrial Revolution, the city began its history as a Roman fort on the River Taff-perhaps taking its name from a combination of the Welsh word for fort (caer) and the name of the river (Taff). The fort still stands today along with many other landmarks that attract tourists each year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $15Cardiff $196
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $15, while the average daily cost in Cardiff is $196. 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 Cardiff in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $6.00Cardiff $117
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $12Cardiff $234
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Cardiff
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Cardiff? 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 Cardiff Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.08Cardiff $27
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:
- Private Transfer in Laos: $5.00
- 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
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cardiff
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cardiff:
- Bristol Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Cardiff: $13
- Heathrow Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Cardiff: $16
- Barry Accommodation to Cardiff Airport (CWL) - Departure Private Transfer: $33
- Cardiff to Cardiff Airport (CWL) - Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Private Cardiff Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to Airport: $58
- Private Cardiff Arrival Transfer- Airport to Hotel / Accommodation : $58
- Newport Accommodation to Cardiff Airport (CWL) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
- Cardiff Private Transfer from Cardiff Airport to City centre: $79
- Arrival Private Transfer from Cardiff Airport CWL to Cardiff by Luxury Vehicle: $96
- Departure Private Transfer from Cardiff to Cardiff Airport CWL by Luxury Vehicle: $96
- Private Transfer from Holyhead Port to Manchester Airport (MAN): $102
- Private Transfer from Mold to Manchester Airport (MAN): $125
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Cardiff?
Prices for flights to both Cardiff 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 $6.30Cardiff $55
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 $3.53Cardiff $31
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- Vientiane ATV and Canopy Walking Experience: $48
- Vientiane Sky Luge and Roller Zipline Experience: $55
- From Hue: Hue to Vientiane Bus tickets: $61
- Half-Day Vientiane City Bike Tour: $67
- Vientiane Half-Day City Tour: $69
- Guided Vientiane City and Buddha Park Full-Day Tour: $81
- Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide in Vientiane: $82
- Vientiane City Day Tour and Buddha Park Visit with Lunch: $88
- 2 Days Private Tour in Vientiane and Vang Vieng: $90
- Private Vientiane Tour - include Buddha Park: $100
- 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
Tours and Activities in Cardiff
Here are a few actual costs in Cardiff for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Ghosts of Llandaff Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Cardiff’s Bay and Waterfront: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Bay and Barrage: $5.99
- A Journey through Tudor A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Cardiff's Civic Centre: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- The Ghosts of Llandaff: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Essential Caerphilly: Explore the town’s history on a self-guided audio tour: $6.22
- Uncover Ghostly Chester: In-App Audio Tour of Eerie Tales: $11
- Uncover Spectral Secrets with the Llandaff Ghosts Audio Tour: $11
- Discover Cardiff's Waterfront: In-App Audio Tour: $11
- Cardiff Bay Private Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Llanberis, Conwy and Caernarfon Castle: A Self-Guided Driving Tour of Snowdonia: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.34Cardiff $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Cardiff
Also in Cardiff, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Gin Tour at Hensol Castle Distillery: $32
- Cardiff Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $44
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Cardiff, we can see that Cardiff 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 Cardiff 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 Cardiff would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cardiff 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 Cardiff Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Cardiff?
Cardiff has a larger population, and is about 54% larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Cardiff, 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 Cardiff?
Cardiff 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 Cardiff in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Cardiff. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Cardiff for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Vientiane is much warmer than Cardiff. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vientiane in July average around 30°C (85°F), and Cardiff averages at about 17°C (63°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cardiff this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives less sunshine than Cardiff during summer. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Cardiff receives 220 hours of full sun in the summer.
Vientiane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Cardiff. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Cardiff receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Cardiff 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Cardiff in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Cardiff. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Cardiff because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Cardiff. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 28°C (83°F), and Cardiff fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane this time of the year. In the autumn, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Cardiff. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cardiff receives 95 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Cardiff. Vientiane usually gets less rain in October than Cardiff. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Cardiff receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Cardiff 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Cardiff in the Winter?
Both Cardiff and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cardiff this time of year.
It's quite cold in Cardiff in the winter. Vientiane is much warmer than Cardiff in the winter. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Cardiff fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Cardiff during winter. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Cardiff receives 57 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Cardiff. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Cardiff receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Cardiff 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Cardiff in the Spring?
Both Cardiff and Vientiane during the spring 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 travelers come to Cardiff for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
The heat can be very extreme in Vientiane. In the spring, Vientiane is much warmer than Cardiff. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vientiane in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Cardiff averages at about 9°C (48°F).
It's quite sunny in Vientiane. In the spring, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Cardiff. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cardiff receives 183 hours of full sun.
Vientiane usually gets more rain in April than Cardiff. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Cardiff receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Cardiff 9°C (48°F)
Typical Weather for Cardiff and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Cardiff | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 80 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 96 mm (3.8 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.