Which place is cheaper, Leiden 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 Leiden?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Leiden, 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 Leiden?
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.
Leiden
Leiden is a city in the province of South Holland. It is south of the Netherlands capital, Amsterdam, and has a population of about 190,000. It is known for its university, museums, markets, and of course, canals. Leiden University is the oldest university in the Netherlands and is a sister school of Oxford, which is England's oldest university.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.
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Vientiane Prices
Laos PricesLeiden Prices
Netherlands Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $23Leiden $188
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $23, while the average daily cost in Leiden is $188. 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 Leiden in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $8.34Leiden $90
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $17Leiden $180
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Leiden
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Leiden? 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 Leiden Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $1.98Leiden $30
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$4.10
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
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leiden
Also for Leiden, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Premium electric transfer from Leiden Area to the Airport: $100
- Private Tour of The Hague and Leiden including Transfer: $247
- Historical Private Tour of Delft and Leiden including Transfer: $258
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Leiden?
Prices for flights to both Leiden 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 $12Leiden $78
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
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour: $122
- Cooking Class Garden House: $335
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.76Leiden $20
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: $90
- Lao Arts Museum & City Highlights Tour with Lunch: $122
- Laos Railway Tickets Easily: Avoid Long Queues & Wasted Time: $8.50
Tours and Activities in Leiden
For Leiden, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Pilgrims and Painters of A Self Guided Walking Tour: $7.99
- Pub Trail an adventure full of surprises: $13
- Hortus botanicus Leiden Entry Ticket: $13
- Guided City Canal Cruise: $15
- The Best of A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Cruise through the Historic City Center with Guide: $16
- Self-Guided City Trail Kids Tour in Noordwijk (4-8 years): $22
- 90 minutes Self-Guided Walking tour with puzzles in Leiden: $23
- Historical and Fun City Tour in German, English, or Dutch: $23
- Self Guided Secrets of Leiden Exploration Game Tour: $23
- Self-guided city trail - JOLA's Schnipseljagd Noordwijk Sea Tour: $28
- Windmill cruise from Leiden: $29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.09Leiden $30
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Leiden, we can see that Leiden 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 Leiden 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 Leiden would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Leiden 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 Leiden Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Leiden?
Vientiane has a larger population, and is about 64% larger than the population of Leiden. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Leiden, 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 Leiden?
Leiden 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 Leiden in the Summer?
Both Leiden 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. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Leiden because of the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Leiden. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 30°C (85°F), and Leiden fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
In Leiden, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Vientiane often gets less sunshine than Leiden. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leiden receives 204 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually gets more rain in July than Leiden. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Leiden 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Leiden in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Leiden. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Furthermore, the shopping scene are the main draw to Leiden this time of year.
Vientiane is much warmer than Leiden in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Leiden fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Leiden during autumn. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Leiden receives 99 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Leiden. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Leiden 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Leiden in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Leiden. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Leiden for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Leiden. In the winter, Vientiane is much warmer than Leiden. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vientiane in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Leiden averages at about 2°C (36°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane this time of the year. In the winter, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Leiden. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leiden receives 46 hours of full sun.
Vientiane usually gets less rain in January than Leiden. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Leiden 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Leiden in the Spring?
Both Leiden and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.
Vientiane can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Leiden. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 31°C (88°F), and Leiden fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Leiden during spring. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Leiden receives 166 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Leiden. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Leiden 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Leiden and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Leiden | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 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.