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

Should you visit Vientiane or Karlovy Vary?

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

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

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.

Karlovy Vary

Founded in 1370, Karlovy Vary translates to "Charles' Bath" for its founder Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, as well as its famous hot springs. It is located in Bohemia in the western Czech Republic and is also known as Karlsbad (German) or Carlsbad (English). Another highlight is the International Film Festival in July with draws celebrities and other film enthusiasts worldwide.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic.


Which place is cheaper, Karlovy Vary or Vientiane?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $23, while the average daily cost in Karlovy Vary is $113. 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 Karlovy Vary in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Vientiane $8.11
    Karlovy Vary $44
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Vientiane $16
    Karlovy Vary $88
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Karlovy Vary

Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Karlovy Vary? 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 Karlovy Vary


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 Karlovy Vary Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Vientiane $1.93
    Karlovy Vary $29
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane

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


  • Tuk Tuk Ride
    $3.99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:

  • Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $20
  • Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
  • Vientiane Private Transfer: Wattay Airport -Hotel-Railway Station: $9.90

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Karlovy Vary

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

  • Private Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague, English-speaking driver: $129
  • Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague: Private daytrip with 2h for sightseeing: $138
  • Karlovy Vary to Prague Airport (PRG) - Departure Private Transfer: $165

Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Karlovy Vary?

Prices for flights to both Karlovy Vary 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 $12
    Karlovy Vary $51

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vientiane

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vientiane.

  • Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour and Lunch: $70
  • Vientiane classic Food tour ( Included Food ): $78
  • Night Market, Dinner, and Nightclub: $90
  • Small-Group Street Food Tour with Tastings: $91
  • Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour: $122
  • Cooking Class Garden House: $335

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Vientiane $3.65
    Karlovy Vary $13

Tours and Activities in Vientiane

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:

  • 1-Day Tour to Vang Vieng with Private Guide: $200
  • 1-Day Vientiane City Adventure: Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $110
  • Exclusive Vientiane Day Tour Featuring Buddha Park: $199
  • Explore Vientiane with Lao Art Museum Tour: $61
  • From Plain of Jars Tour & Homestay: $1,650
  • From Vang Vieng 2-Day Tour with Blue Lagoon: $443
  • From Vang Vieng Tour with Cave Kayak & Zipline: $113
  • Guided Vientiane City and Buddha Park Full-Day Tour: $99
  • Half Day Private Tour in City Highlights: $120
  • Half-Day Vientiane City Bike Tour | Laos: $168
  • Lao Arts Museum & City Highlights Tour with Lunch: $122
  • Laos Railway Tickets Easily: Avoid Long Queues & Wasted Time: $8.50

Tours and Activities in Karlovy Vary

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

  • Tourist Cinema Experience: $5.78
  • Home of Becherovka Visitor Center Guided Tour: $14
  • Moser Glassworks Tour with Museum Entry: $17
  • Karlovy Vary Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $46
  • Mineral Hot Springs Tasting and Walking Tour: $47
  • Touristic highlights of Karlovy Vary on a Private half day tour with a local: $181
  • A day in the life of Karlovy Vary - Private tour with a local: $241
  • Karlovy Vary Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $269
  • Best of Karlovy Vary Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $270
  • Private Walking Tour: $279
  • Elegant Private Walking Tour With Local Guide: $305

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Vientiane $2.03
    Karlovy Vary $7.41


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


Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Karlovy Vary?

Vientiane has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Karlovy Vary. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Karlovy Vary, 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 Karlovy Vary?

Karlovy Vary 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 Karlovy Vary in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Karlovy Vary. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Vientiane is a little warmer than Karlovy Vary in the summer. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 30°C (85°F) in July, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Karlovy Vary. In the summer, Vientiane often gets less sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun.

Vientiane receives a lot of rain in the summer. Vientiane usually gets more rain in July than Karlovy Vary. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Vientiane 30°C (85°F) 
    Karlovy Vary 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Vientiane or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?

Both Karlovy Vary and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.

In the autumn, Vientiane is much warmer than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vientiane in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 11°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during autumn. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Karlovy Vary. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Vientiane 28°C (83°F) 
    Karlovy Vary 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Vientiane or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?

Both Karlovy Vary 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.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Karlovy Vary. In January, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 24°C (75°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

It's quite sunny in Vientiane. In the winter, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun.

Vientiane usually gets less rain in January than Karlovy Vary. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Vientiane 24°C (75°F) 
    Karlovy Vary 1°C (33°F)

Should I visit Vientiane or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Karlovy Vary. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round.

It's very hot in Vientiane this time of the year. Vientiane is much warmer than Karlovy Vary in the spring. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during spring. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Karlovy Vary. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Vientiane 31°C (88°F) 
    Karlovy Vary 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Vientiane

Vientiane Karlovy Vary
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 1°C (33°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 2°C (36°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 29°C (85°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 5°C (41°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Apr 31°C (88°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 10°C (50°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
May 30°C (87°F) 255 mm (10 in) 15°C (58°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jun 30°C (86°F) 273 mm (10.7 in) 18°C (65°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Jul 30°C (85°F) 266 mm (10.5 in) 20°C (68°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 29°C (85°F) 323 mm (12.7 in) 19°C (67°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 295 mm (11.6 in) 16°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Oct 28°C (83°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 11°C (51°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 6°C (43°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Dec 24°C (74°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 2°C (35°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)