A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Vientiane vs. Khao Yai National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Vientiane or Khao Yai National Park?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Khao Yai National Park, 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 Khao Yai National Park?

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.

Khao Yai National Park

Adventurous travelers are always in search of new terrain to conquer. At over 2,000 square kilometers, Khao Yai National Park is Thailand's second largest national park, and just full of jungles to trek through. In the southwest of Thailand is a sanctuary of mountains and waterfalls.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best Adventure Tours to Thailand, and The Best Eco Tours in Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Khao Yai National Park or Vientiane?

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

  • Vientiane Prices
    Laos Prices
    Khao Yai National Park Prices
    Thailand Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Vientiane $24
    Khao Yai National Park $85

The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $24, while the average daily cost in Khao Yai National Park is $85. 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 Khao Yai National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Vientiane $8.45
    Khao Yai National Park $41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Vientiane $17
    Khao Yai National Park $82
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Khao Yai National Park

Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Khao Yai National Park? 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 Khao Yai National Park


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Vientiane $2.01
    Khao Yai National Park $16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane

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


  • Tuk Tuk Ride
    $4.15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:

  • Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $20
  • Vientiane Private Transfer: Wattay Airport -Hotel-Railway Station: $9.90
  • Vientiane - Hanoi Sleeping Bus Transfer : $63
  • Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15

Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Khao Yai National Park?

Prices for flights to both Khao Yai National Park 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
    Khao Yai National Park $33

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Vientiane $3.80
    Khao Yai National Park $10

Tours and Activities in Vientiane

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

  • Vientiane Cultural Tour with Private Guide: $110
  • 1-Day Tour to Vang Vieng with Private Guide: $200
  • 1-Day Vientiane City Adventure: Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $110
  • 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: $90
  • Lao Arts Museum & City Highlights Tour with Lunch: $122
  • Laos Railway Tickets Easily: Avoid Long Queues & Wasted Time: $30
  • Laos Railway Tickets Online: Skip Long Queues, Avoid Missing: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Vientiane $2.12
    Khao Yai National Park $13


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



When is the best time to visit Vientiane or Khao Yai National Park?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Vientiane or Khao Yai National Park in the Summer?

Both Khao Yai National Park 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Yai National Park year-round.

Khao Yai National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually gets less rain in July than Khao Yai National Park. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 315 mm (12.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the summer, Vientiane often gets less sunshine than Khao Yai National Park. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Yai National Park receives 176 hours of full sun.

Vientiane is around the same temperature as Khao Yai National Park in the summer. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 30°C (85°F) in July, and Khao Yai National Park fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Vientiane 30°C (85°F) 
    Khao Yai National Park 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Vientiane or Khao Yai National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Khao Yai National Park. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Khao Yai National Park attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Khao Yai National Park receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Khao Yai National Park. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Khao Yai National Park this time of the year. In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Khao Yai National Park during autumn. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Yai National Park receives 206 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In the autumn, Vientiane is around the same temperature as Khao Yai National Park. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vientiane in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Khao Yai National Park averages at about 28°C (82°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Vientiane 28°C (83°F) 
    Khao Yai National Park 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Vientiane or Khao Yai National Park in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Khao Yai National Park. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Yai National Park throughout the year.

Vientiane usually gets less rain in January than Khao Yai National Park. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Khao Yai National Park. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane this time of the year. In the winter, Vientiane often gets less sunshine than Khao Yai National Park. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Yai National Park receives 276 hours of full sun.

In January, Vientiane is generally around the same temperature as Khao Yai National Park. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 24°C (75°F), and Khao Yai National Park fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Vientiane 24°C (75°F) 
    Khao Yai National Park 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Vientiane or Khao Yai National Park in the Spring?

Both Khao Yai National Park and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Yai National Park because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Khao Yai National Park. In April, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Khao Yai National Park. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 128 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

It's quite sunny in Khao Yai National Park. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually receives less sunshine than Khao Yai National Park during spring. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Yai National Park receives 262 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's very hot in Vientiane this time of the year. Vientiane is around the same temperature as Khao Yai National Park in the spring. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and Khao Yai National Park fluctuates around 30°C (87°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Vientiane 31°C (88°F) 
    Khao Yai National Park 30°C (87°F)

Typical Weather for Khao Yai National Park and Vientiane

Vientiane Khao Yai National Park
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 26°C (78°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Mar 29°C (85°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 30°C (86°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Apr 31°C (88°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 30°C (87°F) 128 mm (5.1 in)
May 30°C (87°F) 255 mm (10 in) 30°C (85°F) 225 mm (8.8 in)
Jun 30°C (86°F) 273 mm (10.7 in) 29°C (84°F) 277 mm (10.9 in)
Jul 30°C (85°F) 266 mm (10.5 in) 28°C (83°F) 315 mm (12.4 in)
Aug 29°C (85°F) 323 mm (12.7 in) 28°C (83°F) 385 mm (15.1 in)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 295 mm (11.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 360 mm (14.2 in)
Oct 28°C (83°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 173 mm (6.8 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Dec 24°C (74°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 26°C (78°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)


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