Which place is cheaper, Chengdu or Vientiane?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Vientiane or Chengdu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Chengdu, 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 Chengdu?
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.
Chengdu
Chengdu is in China's Sichuan Provence and is in what is known as the Red Basin. It is a particularly fertile region in China that is known for its agriculture. For this reason it is sometimes referred to as the "Land of Milk and Honey". The Funan River cuts through the city but has almost no boat traffic anymore. The city itself has a wonderful relaxed vibe compared to the rest of China and is filled with green parks and places to relax. It is considered one of the most livable cities in China.
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 Cultural Tours in China, and The Best Luxury Tours to China.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $15Chengdu $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $15, while the average daily cost in Chengdu is $50. 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 Chengdu in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $6.01Chengdu $21
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $12Chengdu $42
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Chengdu
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Chengdu? 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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.08Chengdu $5.93
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:
- Private Transfer in Laos: $5.00
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Vientiane - Hanoi Sleeping Bus Transfer : $63
- 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 Chengdu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chengdu:
- Chengdu City to Chengdu Shuangliu Airport (CTU) - Departure Private Transfer: $19
- Chengdu Panda Breeding Base Ticket w/ Optional Transfer or Guide: $20
- Chengdu Airport (CTU) to Chengdu - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
- Chengdu to Chengdu Airport (CTU) - Departure Private Transfer: $21
- [Airport Transfer] Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport Kosheng City Transfer High reputation for service! : $22
- Chengdu Panda Breeding Base Ticket w/ Private Transfer/Guide: $23
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu International Airport (CTU): $23
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu Train Stations: $23
- Private Transfer from Chengdu hotel to Chengdu Train Station: $27
- Departure Transfer from City Hotel to Chengdu Railway Station: $30
- Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport Transfer to Downtown Hotel: $32
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu Airport (CTU or TFU): $34
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Chengdu?
Prices for flights to both Chengdu 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 $6.32Chengdu $22
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 Chengdu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chengdu.
- Sichuan Opera Face-Changing Show And Hotpot Dinner Evening Tour: $40
- Half-Day Chinese Bun Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $56
- Chengdu evening food tour by local guide: $60
- Half day Chengdu Dumpling making Cooking Class: Make from Scratch: $62
- Discovery more Chengdu evening food tour with locals : $65
- Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu's Local Eats: $69
- Half-Day Professional Mapo Tofu Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $69
- Half-Day Dandan Noodles Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $70
- Sichuan Opera Show VIP Seat Tickets w/ Transfer or Dinner: $71
- Half Day Chengdu Tofu Making Class with Mapo Tofu Cooking: $72
- Half-Day Private Sichuan Hot-Pot Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $80
- Spicy Local Food Tour through Chengdu: $80
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.54Chengdu $16
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: $62
- 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 Chengdu
Here are a few actual costs in Chengdu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- local people's opera house experience: $10
- Chengdu Panda Research Base Tickets And Half Day Tour(Private): $16
- Chengdu Panda Base and Dujiangyan One-Day Private Tour: $17
- Chengdu Sichuan Opera Show Ticket - Shu Feng Ya Yun: $17
- Skip the Line: Sichuan Opera Chengdu Ticket: $21
- Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket: $22
- Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket: $22
- Shu Feng Ya Yun Sichuan Opera House Tickets Booking: $29
- Sichuan Opera Shu Feng Yan Yun Evening Show Ticket: $29
- Chengdu Sichuan Opera Evening Show Ticket-Shu Feng Yan Yun : $29
- Private Half-Day Walking Tour Unveil Night Life of Chengdu: $30
- Sichuan Opera Tickets Booking: $33
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.35Chengdu $3.93
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Chengdu, we can see that Chengdu is more expensive. And not only is Vientiane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Chengdu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chengdu 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 Chengdu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Chengdu?
Chengdu has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Chengdu, 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.
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.