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

Should you visit Vientiane or Lisbon?

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

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

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.

Lisbon

Portugal's capital city of Lisbon continues to grow in popularity as a travel destination. The cultural scene has come to life in recent years and the city itself is stunningly beautiful. It sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of hills that create a dramatic and scenic layout. The city has many white-bleached limestone buildings, narrow alleyways, and a laidback charm that appeals to visitors.

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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Lisbon 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 Lisbon is $140. 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 Lisbon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Vientiane $6.00
    Lisbon $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Vientiane $12
    Lisbon $126
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Lisbon

Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Lisbon? 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 Lisbon


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 Lisbon Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Vientiane $2.08
    Lisbon $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
  • Vientiane Private Airport and Hotel Transfers: $9.00
  • Vientiane Airport Transfer: Wattay airport to hotel - Private transfer: $15
  • Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
  • Private Transfer in Laos: $5.00

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lisbon

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:


  • Taxi Ride
    $6.96

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon

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

  • Lisbon Airport Private Transfer to Lisbon: $12
  • Lisbon Airport or Cruise Port: Private Arrival Transfer to hotels: $14
  • Private Departure Transfer: From hotels to Lisbon Airport: $14
  • Airport Shuttle Transfer to/from Lisbon Center: $14
  • Airport Private Transfer to/from Lisbon city hotels: $15
  • Exclusive Luxury Transfers to/from Lisbon Airport: $16
  • Private Lisbon Airport Transfers: Your Journey, Your Way: $17
  • Private transfer from Lisbon City Center to Lisbon Airport (LIS): $20
  • Private transfer from Lisbon Airport (LIS) to Lisbon City Center: $20
  • Lisbon Airport Transfer: $20
  • LISBOA: TRANSFER DO AEROPORTO PARA O CENTRO DE LISBOA: $22
  • Private Transfer Within City Center & Airport: $22

Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Lisbon?

Prices for flights to both Lisbon 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
    Lisbon $45

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 Lisbon

For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Coffee
    $2.68

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon

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

  • Soirée Rivage - Sunset cruise with dinner and Party: $25
  • Hard Rock Cafe Lisbon with Set Lunch or Dinner : $28
  • Tapas Food Tour: $38
  • Fado Show and Portuguese Dinner: $48
  • Lisbon Food Tour: $53
  • Alfama Tour and Live Fado with Traditional Dinner: $54
  • 2-Hour Pastel de Nata Cooking Class: $54
  • Cooking Pastel de Nata with a glass of wine !: $54
  • Legendary Beer Dinner: $54
  • Pastel de Nata Cooking Class in Lisbon: $55
  • No Diet Club - Unique food tour in Lisbon with many Tastings: $62
  • Original Morning Food Tour: $64

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Vientiane $3.53
    Lisbon $26

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

Tours and Activities in Lisbon

For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • See Lisbon Through the Eyes of a Local - Free Walking Tour: $1.08
  • Lisbon Walking Tour - The Perfect Introduction to the City: $1.12
  • Belém Unveiled: A Free Tour Through the Age of Discoveries: $1.29
  • Alfama Walking Tour Lisbon: $3.26
  • Tower of Saint George’s Castle Church Ticket & Drink: $5.38
  • Wonders of Lisbon Walking Tour: $5.38
  • Lisbon Cathedral Entry Ticket: $5.38
  • Graça Church Entry Ticket with Drink on the Terrace: $5.38
  • Lisbon Highlights Self Guided Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $5.38
  • Lisbon Walking Tour: $5.38
  • A Self-Guided Audio Tour From Príncipe Real to Downtown Lisbon: $5.53
  • Príncipe Real to Downtown A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Vientiane $2.34
    Lisbon $20

Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:

  • Pub Crawl with Open Bar, Shots, & VIP Club Entry: $17
  • Pub Crawl with Unlimited Drinks and VIP Club Entry: $18
  • Pub Crawl Lisbon - 1 Hour of Unlimited Beer and Sangria and more!: $19
  • 1-Hour Portuguese Wine Tasting Session: $20
  • Lisbon Pub Crawl: $21
  • Pub Crawl with Open Bar and VIP Club Entry: $21
  • Lisbon Pub Crawl: $22
  • Lisbon Wild Pub Crawl : $22
  • Private Bar Crawl in Lisbon: $22
  • Pub Crawl Walking Tour with Shots and Drinking Games: $22
  • Beer Tasting in a Classic Brewery: $27
  • Pub Crawl Lisbon: $27


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


Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Lisbon?

Lisbon has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Lisbon, 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 Lisbon?

Lisbon 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 Lisbon in the Summer?

Both Lisbon 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. Also, most visitors come to Lisbon for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Vientiane is generally a little warmer than Lisbon. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 30°C (85°F), and Lisbon fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Vientiane often gets less sunshine than Lisbon. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lisbon receives 352 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually gets more rain in July than Lisbon. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Vientiane 30°C (85°F) 
    Lisbon 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Vientiane or Lisbon in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Lisbon. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Vientiane is a little warmer than Lisbon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Lisbon fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisbon 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 Lisbon during autumn. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Lisbon receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Lisbon. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Vientiane 28°C (83°F) 
    Lisbon 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Vientiane or Lisbon in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Lisbon. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year.

In the winter, Vientiane is much warmer than Lisbon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vientiane in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Lisbon averages at about 12°C (53°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 Lisbon. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lisbon receives 144 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Lisbon. Vientiane usually gets less rain in January than Lisbon. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Vientiane 24°C (75°F) 
    Lisbon 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Vientiane or Lisbon in the Spring?

Both Lisbon and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Lisbon for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Vientiane can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Lisbon. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 31°C (88°F), and Lisbon fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Lisbon. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lisbon during spring. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Lisbon receives 235 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Lisbon. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Vientiane 31°C (88°F) 
    Lisbon 16°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Lisbon and Vientiane

Vientiane Lisbon
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 29°C (85°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 31°C (88°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
May 30°C (87°F) 255 mm (10 in) 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 30°C (86°F) 273 mm (10.7 in) 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 30°C (85°F) 266 mm (10.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Aug 29°C (85°F) 323 mm (12.7 in) 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 295 mm (11.6 in) 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Oct 28°C (83°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Dec 24°C (74°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)