Which place is cheaper, Guilin or Vientiane?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Vientiane or Guilin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Guilin, 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 Guilin?
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.
Guilin
Guilin is a city in Southern China situated on the west bank of the Li River with Hunan to the north. Its name means, "Forest of Sweet Osmanthus," owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. Products like tea, sugar, and wine, can be made from the tree and are found in many shops throughout Guilin. A popular tourist destination, the city is renowned for its scenery of karst topography with unique mountains jutting out of the urban landscape.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.
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Vientiane Prices
Laos PricesGuilin Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $24Guilin $84
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $24, while the average daily cost in Guilin is $84. 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 Guilin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $8.45Guilin $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $17Guilin $70
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Guilin
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Guilin? 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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.01Guilin $5.85
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$4.15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Vientiane - Hanoi Sleeping Bus Transfer : $63
- Vientiane Private Transfer: Wattay Airport -Hotel-Railway Station: $9.90
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:
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Taxi$2.80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:
- One Way Transfer Service between Guilin city and airport: $17
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin Train Stations to Downtown Hotel: $17
- Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Guilin Train Stations: $17
- Guilin Transfer Services: Airport,train station & hotel: $18
- [Airport Transfer] Haikou Airport ⇔ Haikou City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter> *: $23
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin International Airport (KWL) to Downtown Hotel: $25
- Private Departure Transfer: Downtown Guilin Hotel to Airport (KWL): $25
- Private Airport Transfer:Guilin Hotel to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport: $35
- Private Airport Transfer: Guilin Liangjiang International Aiport to Guilin Hotel: $35
- Transfer from Guilin Hotels to Yangshuo Town: $37
- Private Transfer from Guilin hotel to Yangshuo hotel: $37
- Guilin Railway stations Transfer Service: $37
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Guilin?
Prices for flights to both Guilin 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 $12Guilin $39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vientiane
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vientiane.
- Vientiane classic Food tour ( Included Food ): $78
- Night Market, Dinner, and Nightclub: $90
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour and Lunch: $95
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour: $122
- Cooking Class Garden House: $335
Typical Food Prices in Guilin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Guilin:
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Fresh Coconut Drink$1.40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guilin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guilin.
- Half day Yangshuo Cooking lesson Small Group Tour: $62
- Full-Day Li-River with the 4 Star Luxury Boat VIP Room and Yangshuo Cooking Tour: $286
- Countryside Cycling 1-day Tour with Cooking Class: $306
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.80Guilin $28
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- Laos Railway Tickets Easily: Avoid Long Queues & Wasted Time: $30
- Laos Railway Tickets Online: Skip Long Queues, Avoid Missing: $30
- Art, Culture, & Inspiration Guided Half-Day Tour: $52
- Half-Day City Tour with Patuxai and Buddha Park: $52
- Vientiane Sky Luge and Roller Zipline Experience: $55
- Vientiane Landmarks and Cultural Immersion Tour: $56
- Cultural Tour with Buddha Park and Patuxay: $58
- Vientiane IG tour & Patuxay monument: $59
- Half-Day City Tour - Morning or Afternoon: $65
- Vientiane Half Day City Tour: $80
- Vientiane : Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $88
- Vientiane Half-Day City Tour: $89
Typical Entertainment Prices in Guilin
Here are a few typical costs in Guilin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to the Caves$17
Tours and Activities in Guilin
Here are a few actual costs in Guilin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- City Tour with Elephant Hill & Ming Tea Tasting: $46
- Guilin Four lakes night cruise with the English speaking driver from Guilin hotel: $47
- Kayaking Adventure with Local Guide(beginner friendly): $51
- Half-Day Self-Guided Yangshuo Xianggong Hill Sunrise Tour: $52
- 1-Day tour of Guilin-LiRiver cruise-Yangshuo Xianggong hill : $55
- GUILIN:kayaking adventure with local guide: $60
- Private Full-Day City Tour with Fubo Hill: $60
- Guilin English tour guide service : $62
- Private Day Tour: Longji Terraces Cultural Villages and Hike : $69
- Full-Day Guilin Essence and Lifestyle Walking Tour: $69
- Private day tour :Guilin-LiRiver bamboo boat-Yangshuo Highlights : $70
- 1-DAY Private Longji Rice Terraces and Minority Villages Tour: $70
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.12Guilin $5.81
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Guilin, we can see that Guilin 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 Guilin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guilin 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 Guilin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Guilin?
Guilin has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Guilin, 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 Guilin?
Guilin 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 Guilin in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Guilin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round.
Vientiane is around the same temperature as Guilin in the summer. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 30°C (85°F) in July, and Guilin fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
Guilin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Vientiane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Guilin. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Guilin 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Guilin in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Guilin. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Vientiane is a little warmer than Guilin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vientiane in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Guilin averages at about 23°C (73°F).
Vientiane usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Guilin. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Guilin 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Guilin in the Winter?
Both Guilin and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.
In January, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Guilin. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 24°C (75°F), and Guilin fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
In January, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Guilin. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Guilin 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Guilin in the Spring?
Both Guilin 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.
It's very hot in Vientiane this time of the year. Vientiane is much warmer than Guilin in the spring. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and Guilin fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
Guilin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vientiane usually gets less rain in April than Guilin. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Guilin 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Guilin and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Guilin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.