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

Should you visit Vientiane or Honolulu?

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

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

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.

Honolulu

Hawaii's capital city of Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, is the state's center for government, finance, and transportation. It's also the home of Waikiki Beach, one of the most famous beaches in the state of Hawaii. Nearly one million people live in this Honolulu metropolitan area. This is almost 80% of the state's population. The city is not the relaxed Hawaiian destination that you might be searching for, but is instead a fast paced, cosmopolitan city. In addition to attracting many tourists every year, you'll also find international businesses, military defense and a diverse culture and population.

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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Honolulu 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 Honolulu is $284. 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 Honolulu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Vientiane $6.00
    Honolulu $183
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Vientiane $12
    Honolulu $366
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Honolulu

Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Honolulu? 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 Honolulu


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 Honolulu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Vientiane $2.08
    Honolulu $26
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:

  • 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 Honolulu

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


  • Rental Car for One Day
    $35
  • Airport Shuttle for Two
    $30
  • Hilton Parking
    $24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Honolulu

Also for Honolulu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Arrival Transfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Waikiki or Cruise Terminal: $18
  • Departure Transfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Waikiki or Cruise Terminal: $18
  • Shared Departure Transfer from Waikiki Hotels to Honolulu Airport: $18
  • Shared Arrival Transfer from Honolulu Airport to Waikiki Hotels: $18
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Honolulu Airport to Hotel or Cruise Terminal: $20
  • Shared Departure Transfer: Oahu Hotels or Cruise Terminal to Honolulu Airport: $20
  • Honolulu Airport Private Transfer to or from Waikiki: $32
  • Airport Private Transfer with Arrival Lei Greeting: $35
  • Honolulu Airport -Waikiki Arrival Private Transfer W/Lei Greeting: $35
  • Oahu: Honolulu Shuttle Bus Transfer to Pearl Harbor: $37
  • Private Transfer from Honolulu Airport (HNL) to Honolulu Port: $37
  • Shared Round-Trip Transfer: Honolulu Airport to Hotel or Cruise Terminal: $39

Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Honolulu?

Prices for flights to both Honolulu 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
    Honolulu $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 Honolulu

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Honolulu:


  • Dinner for Two
    $73
  • Lapperts Hawaii Ice Cream
    $5.55
  • Chai's Island Bistro (for 2)
    $53
  • Cheeseburger Waikiki (for 2)
    $34
  • Matsumoto Shave Ice (for 2)
    $7.50
  • Hot Dog with the Fixins'
    $8.30
  • Sushi Dinner for Two
    $73

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Honolulu

For Honolulu, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Hawaii Food Tour - Off The Beaten Path : $150
  • Oahu Da Local's Food Tour: $150
  • Lanai Tabura curated Private Aloha Plate Food Tour from Honolulu: $239
  • Brewery and Local Food Tour: $480

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Vientiane $3.53
    Honolulu $40

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 Honolulu

For Honolulu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Parking for Hike
    $5.00
  • Pearl Harbor Audio Tour for Two
    $12
  • 2 hr Dinner Cruise
    $85
  • 1 Day Kayak Rental
    $36

Tours and Activities in Honolulu

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Honolulu.

  • Heart of Waikiki Walking Tour: Audio Tour Guide: $4.99
  • Historic Downtown Honolulu Tour: Audio Tour Guide: $4.99
  • Military and Entertainment in Waikiki: A Self-Guided Tour: $7.99
  • Waikīkī's Beaches and Royalty: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Hawaii‘s Historic Kingdom: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Oahu: USS Arizona Memorial Chief's Narrated Multimedia Tour: $7.99
  • Downtown Honolulu Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.49
  • Waikiki Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.49
  • Honolulu In-App Audio Tour: Historical & Cultural Treasures: $9.00
  • Honolulu's Backyard Rainforest Tour: Audio Tour Guide: $9.99
  • USS Arizona Commander's Narrated Multimedia Tour - 23 Stops: $11
  • Oahu: Honolulu 3-Hour Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Vientiane $2.34
    Honolulu $6.47


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


Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Honolulu?

Honolulu has a larger population, and is about 89% larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Honolulu, 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 Honolulu?

Honolulu 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 Honolulu in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Honolulu. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Honolulu for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Vientiane is around the same temperature as Honolulu in the summer. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 30°C (85°F) in July, and Honolulu fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Honolulu. In the summer, Vientiane often gets less sunshine than Honolulu. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Honolulu receives 303 hours of full sun.

Vientiane receives a lot of rain in the summer. Vientiane usually gets more rain in July than Honolulu. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Vientiane 30°C (85°F) 
    Honolulu 81°F (27°C)

Should I visit Vientiane or Honolulu in the Autumn?

Both Honolulu 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 visitors come to Honolulu in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Vientiane is around the same temperature as Honolulu. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vientiane in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Honolulu averages at about 80°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Honolulu. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually receives less sunshine than Honolulu during autumn. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Honolulu receives 246 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Honolulu. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Vientiane 28°C (83°F) 
    Honolulu 80°F (26°C)

Should I visit Vientiane or Honolulu in the Winter?

Both Honolulu 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Honolulu for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Vientiane is generally around the same temperature as Honolulu. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 24°C (75°F), and Honolulu fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

In Honolulu, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Vientiane. In the winter, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Honolulu. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Honolulu receives 212 hours of full sun.

Vientiane usually gets less rain in January than Honolulu. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Vientiane 24°C (75°F) 
    Honolulu 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Vientiane or Honolulu in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Honolulu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Honolulu because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

It's very hot in Vientiane this time of the year. Vientiane is a little warmer than Honolulu in the spring. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and Honolulu fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Honolulu this time of the year. In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives less sunshine than Honolulu during spring. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Honolulu receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Honolulu. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Vientiane 31°C (88°F) 
    Honolulu 76°F (24°C)

Typical Weather for Honolulu and Vientiane

Vientiane Honolulu
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 73°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 73°F (23°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
Mar 29°C (85°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 74°F (24°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm)
Apr 31°C (88°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 76°F (24°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm)
May 30°C (87°F) 255 mm (10 in) 78°F (25°C) 1.4 inches (35 mm)
Jun 30°C (86°F) 273 mm (10.7 in) 80°F (26°C) 0.5 inches (12 mm)
Jul 30°C (85°F) 266 mm (10.5 in) 81°F (27°C) 0.6 inches (15 mm)
Aug 29°C (85°F) 323 mm (12.7 in) 81°F (27°C) 0.4 inches (11 mm)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 295 mm (11.6 in) 81°F (27°C) 0.7 inches (19 mm)
Oct 28°C (83°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 80°F (26°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 77°F (25°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Dec 24°C (74°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 74°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)