Which place is cheaper, Kuala Lumpur or Vientiane?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Vientiane or Kuala Lumpur?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Kuala Lumpur, 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 Kuala Lumpur?
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.
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as KL, is the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia. It is also the largest city in the country, having grown out of a small Chinese mining village. Today Kuala Lumpur is a microcosm of the country of Malaysia. The population is split between the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures which you can see reflected in the city's neighborhoods, cuisine, and entertainment. It's also an incredibly affordable city, even if you're looking for the comforts of a five star hotel or a luxury restaurant. Prices are almost always a fraction of what you would pay in Europe or the United States.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia.
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Vientiane Prices
Laos PricesKuala Lumpur Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $24Kuala Lumpur $83
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $24, while the average daily cost in Kuala Lumpur is $83. 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 Kuala Lumpur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $8.45Kuala Lumpur $41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $17Kuala Lumpur $82
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Kuala Lumpur
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Kuala Lumpur? 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 and Kuala Lumpur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.01Kuala Lumpur $7.21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$4.15
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$3.57
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Metro Ride (for Two)$0.76
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Short Taxi Ride$3.57
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Taxi From Airport$21
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Bus from Airport$1.90
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Train & Boat to Pulau Ketam$2.85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $17
- Private Kuala Lumpur Airport Arrival Transfer: $17
- Sunway Lagoon Theme Park to Kuala Lumpur Hotels Transfer: $17
- Private: Kuala Lumpur Departure Transfer: $17
- PVT Departure Transfer <> Kuala Lumpur to KLIA 1/2: $17
- PVT Arrival Transfer<>KLIA 1/2 to Kuala Lumpur: $17
- Kuala Lumpur Airport Arrival Transfer: $17
- Sunway Lagoon Theme Park to Kuala Lumpur Hotels Transfer (1-way): $17
- Kuala Lumpur Hotels to Sunway Lagoon Theme Park Transfer (1-way): $17
- Kuala Lumpur City to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Transfer: $18
- Kuala Lumpur Hotel to Airport Transfer: $18
- Kuala Lumpur Airport Arrival Transfer: $18
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Kuala Lumpur?
Prices for flights to both Kuala Lumpur 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 $12Kuala Lumpur $29
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
Typical Food Prices in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Ding Tai Fung$9.51
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Roti Bread$0.24
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Food Court Lunch$3.42
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Dinner at Indian Restaurant (for Two)$5.11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Night Tour Batu Caves and South Indian Dinner: $20
- Nightlife Street Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $41
- Laksa Lanes Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $49
- Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Sambal Street Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $53
- Best Local Food Tour by Night at Kuala Lumpur : $55
- Glowing Firefly Private Tour With Dinner: $59
- Malaysia Cooking Classes With Local: $60
- Kuala Lumpur Food Tour: $60
- Kuala Selangor Fireflies and Blue Tears Tour with Dinner (SIC): $62
- Malaysian Hands-On Cooking Class : Masala Medley : $63
- Firefly Park Kuala Selangor Seafood Dinner and Free Boat Ride: $64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.80Kuala Lumpur $15
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: $354
- 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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
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KL Tower Admission (for Two)$11
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Canopy Walk at FRIM Forest Reserve$1.19
Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- A Self Guided Tropical Adventure at Kuala Lumpur Hidden Treasures: $3.59
- Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park Ticket with Unlimited Rides: $5.39
- Urban Museum at Toffee Raja Chulan Admission Ticket: $6.35
- Genting Highlands: Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park Entry Ticket: $6.39
- Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Pass: $7.42
- KL Tower Admission E-Ticket with Options: $8.65
- REXPERIENCE: Immersive Art Gallery at REXKL: $9.77
- Museum Of Illusions Standard Admission Ticket: $9.89
- Kuala Lumpur Suburbs Batu Caves Half-Day Tour (SIC/Shared Tour): $10
- Kuala Lumpur Half Day Guided City Tour (SIC/Shared Tour): $10
- Malaysia Cruise Tasik Putrajaya: $10
- Aquaria KLCC Entry Ticket: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.12Kuala Lumpur $6.58
Typical Alcohol Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Kuala Lumpur, we can see that Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Kuala Lumpur?
Kuala Lumpur has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Kuala Lumpur, 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 Kuala Lumpur?
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 Kuala Lumpur in the Summer?
Both Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur year-round.
Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Kuala Lumpur, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Vientiane often gets less sunshine than Kuala Lumpur. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kuala Lumpur receives 200 hours of full sun.
Vientiane is around the same temperature as Kuala Lumpur in the summer. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 30°C (85°F) in July, and Kuala Lumpur fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Kuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Kuala Lumpur in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Kuala Lumpur. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Kuala Lumpur. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 280 mm (11 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Kuala Lumpur during autumn. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Kuala Lumpur receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Vientiane is around the same temperature as Kuala Lumpur. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vientiane in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Kuala Lumpur averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Kuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Kuala Lumpur in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Kuala Lumpur. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. Vientiane usually gets less rain in January than Kuala Lumpur. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane this time of the year. In the winter, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Kuala Lumpur. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kuala Lumpur receives 185 hours of full sun.
In January, Vientiane is generally cooler than Kuala Lumpur. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 24°C (75°F), and Kuala Lumpur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Kuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Kuala Lumpur in the Spring?
Both Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. In April, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Kuala Lumpur. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Kuala Lumpur during spring. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Kuala Lumpur receives 199 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's very hot in Vientiane this time of the year. Vientiane is a little warmer than Kuala Lumpur in the spring. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and Kuala Lumpur fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Kuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Kuala Lumpur and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Kuala Lumpur | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 280 mm (11 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 250 mm (9.8 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.