Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Vientiane?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Vientiane or Harbin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Harbin, 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 Harbin?
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.
Harbin
Harbin, China is the northernmost major city in the country, with a population of over 10 million. Harbin was founded in 1897 by Russia, which has resulted in a lot of Russian influence throughout the city and many Russian citizens. The city is most famous for their annual International Snow and Ice Festival, a two-month-long festival running from January through February of each year.
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 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $15Harbin $54
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $15, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $54. 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 Harbin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $6.01Harbin $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $12Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Harbin
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Harbin? 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 $2.08Harbin $1.49
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:
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $29
- Vientiane Private Airport and Hotel Transfers: $9.00
- Vientiane Airport Transfer: Wattay airport to hotel - Private transfer: $15
- Vientiane - Hanoi Sleeping Bus Transfer : $63
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Private Transfer in Laos: $5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Any Harbin Railway Station : $25
- Harbin Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer: $27
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service , Harbin Airport Transfer,Pick up: $78
- Shared Night Transfer Service to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $85
- Harbin City Car Transfer Service with Driver: $168
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $168
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Harbin?
Prices for flights to both Harbin 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 $6.32Harbin $14
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 Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Food Tour Including Harbin Beer1900: $157
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World with Dinner Options: $261
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.54Harbin $52
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: $62
- 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
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $130
- 4-Hour Private Tour of the Largest Indoor Ice and Snow Paradise: $136
- Private Half Day City Tour including Russian Town and Harbin Ropeway Ride: $150
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
- Small Group Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $198
- Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
- Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
- Small Group Tour to Harbin Siberian Park Tiger: $200
- Private Harbin Ice Festival Night Tour: $209
- Songhua River Boat Tour and Food Experience in Harbin: $230
- Full Day Private Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow Festival: $250
- 2-Day Harbin City Private Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $280
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.35Harbin $7.83
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Harbin, we can see that Harbin 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 Harbin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Harbin 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 Harbin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Harbin?
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Harbin, 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 Harbin?
Harbin 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 Harbin in the Summer?
Both Harbin and Vientiane during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Vientiane is a little warmer than Harbin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vientiane in July average around 30°C (85°F), and Harbin averages at about 24°C (75°F).
Harbin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually gets more rain in July than Harbin. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Harbin 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Harbin in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Harbin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round.
In October, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 28°C (83°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
In October, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Harbin. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Harbin 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Harbin in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Harbin. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Harbin. Vientiane is much warmer than Harbin in the winter. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Harbin fluctuates around -18°C (-0°F).
Vientiane usually gets more rain in January than Harbin. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Harbin -18°C (-0°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Harbin in the Spring?
Both Harbin and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.
The heat can be very extreme in Vientiane. In the spring, Vientiane is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vientiane in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Harbin averages at about 8°C (46°F).
In April, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Harbin. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Harbin 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Harbin and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Harbin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 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.