A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Vientiane vs. Dublin for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Vientiane or Dublin?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Dublin, 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 Dublin?

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.

Dublin

Dublin is the vibrant and fun capital city of Ireland and home to over a third of the country's population. There are almost 2 million people in the metropolitan area. It's also the most common entry point into the country for visitors. Once you arrive, its a good idea to head over to the main tourist office in St. Andrew's Church off Grafton Street. They can give you maps and information to make sure your trip is efficient and fun. Many people enjoy seeing what remains of the Georgian architecture throughout the city. Much of the city is also modernist in style with many blocks made up of offices.

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 Walking Tours in Ireland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland.


Which place is cheaper, Dublin or Vientiane?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $15, while the average daily cost in Dublin is $154. 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 Dublin in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Vientiane $6.00
    Dublin $73
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Vientiane $12
    Dublin $146
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Dublin

Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Dublin? 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.

Hotels in Vientiane


Hotels in Dublin


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 Dublin Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Vientiane $2.08
    Dublin $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:


  • 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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dublin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Dublin:


  • Rental Car for a Day
    $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dublin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dublin:

  • One-Way Bus Transfer from/to Dublin Airport: $10
  • Belfast | Coach transfer from / to Dublin: $13
  • Airport Transfer and Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket: $37
  • Private Transfer from Dun Laoghaire Port to Dublin Airport (DUB): $46
  • Private Transfer from Dublin city to Dun Laoghaire Cruise Port: $46
  • Private Transfer from Dublin Airport (DUB) to Dun Laoghaire Port: $46
  • Private Dublin Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to Airport: $61
  • From Dublin Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Dublin: $74
  • 4 to 8 People Private Transfer from Dublin Airport to City Centre: $76
  • Private Sedan (4 seats) Transfer from Dublin Airport to Dublin City Center: $95
  • Private Sedan(4 seats) Transfer from Dublin City Center to Dublin Airport: $95
  • Private Transfer: Dublin to Dublin Airport DUB in Business Car: $103

Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Dublin?

Prices for flights to both Dublin 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 day
    Vientiane $6.30
    Dublin $53

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

Typical Food Prices in Dublin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dublin:


  • Lunch Lynam's Pub
    $4.23

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dublin

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dublin.

  • Discover the Flavors of Dublin on a Guided Street Food Tour: $30
  • Dublin 3-Course Dinner and Live Shows at The Irish House Party: $31
  • No Diet Club - Best Food Tour in Dublin !: $59
  • Dublin Irish Night Show, Dance and Traditional 3-Course Dinner: $60
  • NO DIET CLUB - Best Food Tour in Dublin !: $62
  • Grand Canal Cruise with Dinner: $72
  • Delicious Walking Food Tour: $81
  • Delicious Dublin Food Tour: $82
  • Dublin Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $87
  • Howth Coastal Craft Beer and Seafood Tour: $96
  • Bread, Beer & Bia: Irish Cooking Class & Dinner in Dublin: $99
  • Irish Craic & Cuisine: Cooking Class & Dinner in Central Dublin: $106

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Vientiane $3.53
    Dublin $27

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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Dublin

Here are a few typical costs in Dublin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Wild Wicklow Tour
    $28
  • Guinness Brewery for Two
    $29
  • St Pauls Cathedral
    $4.82
  • Dublin Writer's Museum
    $6.75

Tours and Activities in Dublin

Here are a few actual costs in Dublin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • Self Guided Tours Dublin With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.26
  • Dublin Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $4.37
  • Retracing Viking Origins on a Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.63
  • Dublin city tour: audio guide in your smartphone: $5.38
  • Dublin city tour: audio guide for smartphone in French: $5.38
  • Self Guided City Audio Tour in Dublin: $5.46
  • Temple Bar Self-Guided Must-See Highlights Tour: $6.35
  • City Highlights Self-guided Walking Tour: $6.35
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.45
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $6.46
  • Escape Game and Tour: $6.46

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Vientiane $2.34
    Dublin $18

Sample the Local Flavors in Dublin

Also in Dublin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Authentic Brewery Tour: $11
  • Generation Pub Crawl: $15
  • Dublin Epic Pub Crawl: Experience Dublin's pubs and nightlife: $15
  • "Dublin Delight Pub Expedition" Pub Crawl: $16
  • The Dublin Liberties Distillery: Tour with Whiskey Tasting: $18
  • The Dublin Liberties Distillery - Guided Tour and Whiskey Tasting: $19
  • Teeling Whiskey Distillery Tour & Tasting: $22
  • Exclusive Brewery Tour and Tasting at Kildare Brewing Co, Sallins: $22
  • Skip the Line: Teeling Whiskey Distillery Tour and Tasting in Dublin Ticket: $22
  • The Black Experience Pub Tour: $22
  • City Pub Crawl Experience: $24
  • Pearse Lyons Whiskey Distillery Experience: $24


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Dublin, we can see that Dublin 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 Dublin 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 Dublin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dublin 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 Dublin Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Dublin?

Dublin has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Dublin, 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 Dublin?

Dublin 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 Dublin in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Dublin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Furthermore, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dublin this time of year.

In the summer, Vientiane is much warmer than Dublin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vientiane in July average around 30°C (85°F), and Dublin averages at about 16°C (60°F).

Vientiane usually receives less sunshine than Dublin during summer. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 166 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 Dublin. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Vientiane 30°C (85°F) 
    Dublin 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Vientiane or Dublin in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Dublin. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Dublin for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Dublin. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 28°C (83°F), and Dublin 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 Dublin. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 97 hours of full sun.

Vientiane usually gets more rain in October than Dublin. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Vientiane 28°C (83°F) 
    Dublin 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Vientiane or Dublin in the Winter?

Both Dublin 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, many visitors come to Dublin in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Vientiane is much warmer than Dublin in the winter. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Dublin fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Dublin during winter. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Dublin. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Vientiane 24°C (75°F) 
    Dublin 6°C (42°F)

Should I visit Vientiane or Dublin in the Spring?

Both Dublin 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, most visitors come to Dublin for the activities around the city during these months.

The heat can be very extreme in Vientiane. In the spring, Vientiane is much warmer than Dublin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vientiane in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Dublin averages at about 8°C (47°F).

It's quite sunny in Vientiane. In the spring, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Dublin. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 157 hours of full sun.

Vientiane usually gets more rain in April than Dublin. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Vientiane 31°C (88°F) 
    Dublin 8°C (47°F)

Typical Weather for Dublin and Vientiane

Vientiane Dublin
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 6°C (42°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 6°C (42°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Mar 29°C (85°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 7°C (44°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Apr 31°C (88°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 8°C (47°F) 51 mm (2 in)
May 30°C (87°F) 255 mm (10 in) 11°C (52°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Jun 30°C (86°F) 273 mm (10.7 in) 14°C (57°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Jul 30°C (85°F) 266 mm (10.5 in) 16°C (60°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 29°C (85°F) 323 mm (12.7 in) 15°C (60°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 295 mm (11.6 in) 14°C (56°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Oct 28°C (83°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 70 mm (2.7 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 8°C (46°F) 65 mm (2.5 in)
Dec 24°C (74°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 6°C (44°F) 76 mm (3 in)