Which place is cheaper, Florence or Vientiane?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Vientiane or Florence?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Florence, 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 Florence?
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.
Florence
Florence is the capital of Tuscany and one of the most well known cities in Italy for its art and cultural scenes. The city is rooted in history and you can see this in the architecture, statues, gardens, and art that are everywhere around town. This city truly is a living museum. You should allow yourself at least a couple of days to explore Florence and if you can afford more, it is well worth the time. In particular, if art history is your passion then you will need a week or more to satisfy your interest as the museums and architecturally impressive buildings throughout the city are endless.
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 Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $15Florence $165
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $15, while the average daily cost in Florence is $165. 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 Florence in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $6.00Florence $93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $12Florence $186
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Florence
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Florence? 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 Florence Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.08Florence $23
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:
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $29
- 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
- Private Transfer in Laos: $5.00
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Florence
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Florence:
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Taxi Ride Within City$8.57
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Taxi from Airport$27
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In City Parking (Full Day)$32
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Bus Pass (Full Day)$5.36
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Bus From Airport$5.36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Florence
Also for Florence, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From The Mall Firenze Shuttle Transfer: $15
- Shared Bus Transfer to/from Pisa Airport: $16
- Private Departure Transfer: Florence Train Station: $35
- Private Arrival Transfer: Florence Train Station: $35
- Florence Airport (FLR) to Florence hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $40
- Florence Airport Private Departure Transfer: $48
- From La Spezia: Round-Trip Bus Transfer to Florence: $53
- Private Florence Airport to Hotel Transfer: $59
- Private Transfer: Florence City Center to Peretola Airport (FLR): $63
- From Round Trip Transfer to Cinque Terre: $64
- Private Oneway Transfer Florence Airport to Florence Hotels: $66
- Florence to Pisa Airport (PSA) - Departure Private Transfer: $74
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Florence?
Prices for flights to both Florence 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 $6.30Florence $38
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 Florence
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Florence:
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Panini Sandwich$6.96
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Florence
For Florence, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe Florence with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
- Florence Street Food Tour: Market & City Center: $29
- Florence Street Food Tour, Market and City Center: $31
- Walking Food Tour at Sunset with Tastings: $33
- Virtual Live Cooking Class What Do You Have in Your Pantry: $35
- Virtual Cooking Class: Bruschetta & Tiramisù: $35
- Virtual Italian Meatballs Cooking Class, Live from Tuscany: $37
- Street Food Tour with Local Expert Guide: $41
- Street Food Tour and Sightseeing with Local Expert Guide in 2.5 hours : $41
- Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Wine: $59
- Cooking Art Brunelleschi : $59
- 3- Cooking Making Spaghetti & Lasagna: $59
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.53Florence $32
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: $61
- 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 Florence
For Florence, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Admission to Uffizi$12
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Phone Booking Fee for Uffizi$4.29
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Firenze Card (for Two)$107
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Audioguides at Uffizi (for Two)$21
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Giotto's Tower Entrance Fee$6.43
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Boboli Gardens Entrance Fee$7.50
Tours and Activities in Florence
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Florence.
- Relive the Renaissance on a Guided Walking Tour: $2.69
- Dark Mysteries and Legends Guided Walking Tour: $2.69
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- The Best tour in Renaissance & Medici Tales - guided by a STORYTELLER: $3.26
- Florence Walking Tour: $3.26
- Private Tour to the Laboratory of Artistic Ceramics in Tuscany: $3.28
- Sunset Walking Tour: $3.28
- Smartphone self guided Tour: $4.29
- Florence Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.50
- Uffizi Gallery Highlights Audio Guide (Ticket NOT included): $5.99
- Galleria dell' Accademia Audio Guide (Ticket NOT included): $5.99
- Florence and Pisa self guided tour: $6.45
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.34Florence $20
Typical Alcohol Prices in Florence
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Florence from other travelers:
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Glass of Chianti$4.50
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Bottle of Wine$8.04
Sample the Local Flavors in Florence
Also in Florence, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine Tasting by CarusVini in San Casciano in val di Pesa: $16
- Wine Tasting Activity at Chianti Rufina: $23
- Great wine tasting at Tenuta Moriano: $25
- Sip, Savor, Save! Youth Wine Tasting Tour with Appitisers: $28
- Wine Tasting Experience with Three Types of Tuscan Wine: $29
- Discover Artimino wine tasting, a few steps from Florence: $33
- Private Wine Tasting Experience in the heart of Tuscany: $33
- Classic Wine Tasting in Montalcino: $33
- Wine Tasting and Pairing Class Guided Tour in Florence: $43
- Wine Tasting and Paring Class Guided Tour in Florence: $43
- Wine Tasting and Pairing Class Guided Tour in Florence: $43
- Wine Tasting Experience in Florence city centre: $44
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Florence, we can see that Florence 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 Florence 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 Florence would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Florence 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 Florence Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Florence?
Florence has a larger population, and is about 89% larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Florence, 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 Florence?
Florence 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 Florence in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Florence. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Florence this time of year.
In the summer, Vientiane is a little warmer than Florence. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vientiane in July average around 30°C (85°F), and Florence averages at about 25°C (77°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Florence. In the summer, Vientiane often gets less sunshine than Florence. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Florence receives 316 hours of full sun.
Vientiane receives a lot of rain in the summer. Vientiane usually gets more rain in July than Florence. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Florence receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Florence 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Florence in the Autumn?
Both Florence and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Florence for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Florence. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 28°C (83°F), and Florence fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Florence during autumn. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Florence receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Florence. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Florence receives 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Florence 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Florence in the Winter?
Both Florence and Vientiane during the winter 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 Florence in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Vientiane is much warmer than Florence in the winter. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Florence fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
It's quite sunny in Vientiane. In the winter, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Florence. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Florence receives 105 hours of full sun.
Vientiane usually gets less rain in January than Florence. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Florence receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Florence 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Florence in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Florence. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Also, most visitors come to Florence for the natural beauty during these months.
The heat can be very extreme in Vientiane. In the spring, Vientiane is much warmer than Florence. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vientiane in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Florence averages at about 14°C (57°F).
In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Florence during spring. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Florence receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Florence. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Florence receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Florence 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Florence and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Florence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 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.