Which place is cheaper, Hangzhou or Vientiane?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Vientiane or Hangzhou?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Hangzhou, 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 Hangzhou?
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.
Hangzhou
Hangzhou is a city in Eastern China, about an hour by train from Shanghai, renowned for its historic relics and natural beauty. Each year it attracts more than 20 million tourists who come to see what the city has to offer. Set amongst the natural scenery of lakes and mountains, Hangzhou is modern city that coexists with the old. Historic pagodas and cultural sites built around the central lake sit like they belong amidst the skyscrapers and bustling markets of today.
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 Adventure Tours to China, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $15Hangzhou $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $15, while the average daily cost in Hangzhou is $65. 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 Hangzhou in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $6.01Hangzhou $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $12Hangzhou $46
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Hangzhou
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Hangzhou? 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 $2.08Hangzhou $8.11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$4.24
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hangzhou
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hangzhou:
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Local Bus for Two$0.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hangzhou:
- Private Transfer between Hangzhou Songcheng Park and City Area: $23
- Hangzhou Private Transfer: City Hotels to Railway Station: $28
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area : $29
- Hangzhou Railway Station Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $29
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan Int'l Airport Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $29
- Hangzhou East Railway Station Transfer To Hangzhou Downtown City: $32
- Hangzhou Private Transfer: Railway Station to City Hotels: $33
- Hangzhou Downtown transfer to Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport: $35
- Private Hangzhou Airport Transfer from Railway Station: $41
- Private Hangzhou Airport Transfer to City Hotels or Railway Station: $41
- Hangzhou to Shanghai Bullet Train Ticket with Train Station Transfer: $45
- Hangzhou to Suzhou Bullet Train Ticket with Hangzhou Train Station Transfer: $51
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Hangzhou?
Prices for flights to both Hangzhou 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 $6.32Hangzhou $18
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 Hangzhou
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hangzhou:
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Breakfast Pastries$2.35
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Pizza Hut Lunch$11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hangzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hangzhou.
- All Inclusive Night Tour with Impression West Lake Show VIP Ticket and Dinner: $117
- Private Amazing Hangzhou Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner Option : $170
- Enduring Memories of Hangzhou West Lake Show VIP Ticket with Authentic Dinner: $191
- Hangzhou Private Tour to Wuzhen Water Town with Lunch or Dinner: $213
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.54Hangzhou $20
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 Hangzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Hangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Hangzhou Lingyin Temple Tour : $28
- Hangzhou Longjing Tea Culture Experience Tour : $53
- Hangzhou Longjing Tea Plantation Culture Experience Tour: $53
- Best Price: Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $59
- Skip the Line: Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $65
- Zuiyi Hangzhou Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $69
- Hangzhou West Lake Highlights Half Day Tour : $85
- Enduring Memories of Hangzhou Show Ticket with Private Transport: $89
- Half-Day Hangzhou Tianzhu Buddhist Mountain Hiking Tour with Green Tea Village : $89
- One-day Hangzhou Lakeside Mountains Relics & Ruins Hiking – Guided Outdoor Tour : $90
- Hangzhou Private Amazing English Tour Guide Service: $90
- Independent Tour to Shaoxing City from Hangzhou: $94
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.35Hangzhou $10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Hangzhou, we can see that Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Hangzhou?
Hangzhou has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Hangzhou, 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 Hangzhou?
Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Hangzhou. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round.
In the summer, Vientiane is around the same temperature as Hangzhou. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vientiane in July average around 30°C (85°F), and Hangzhou averages at about 29°C (85°F).
Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Hangzhou receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Hangzhou 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Hangzhou in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Hangzhou. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Vientiane is generally a little warmer than Hangzhou. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 28°C (83°F), and Hangzhou fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
Vientiane usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Hangzhou. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Hangzhou receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Hangzhou 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Hangzhou in the Winter?
Both Hangzhou and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.
The weather in Hangzhou can be very cold. Vientiane is much warmer than Hangzhou in the winter. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Hangzhou fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
In January, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Hangzhou. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Hangzhou receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Hangzhou 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Hangzhou in the Spring?
Both Hangzhou 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.
The heat can be very extreme in Vientiane. In the spring, Vientiane is much warmer than Hangzhou. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vientiane in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Hangzhou averages at about 16°C (61°F).
Hangzhou gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vientiane usually gets less rain in April than Hangzhou. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Hangzhou receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Hangzhou 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Hangzhou and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Hangzhou | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 49 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.