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

Should you visit Vientiane or Munich?

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

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

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.

Munich

Munich is the capital city of Bavaria and a top travel destination within Germany. It has stunning architecture and a cultural scene that rivals Berlin. It has some of the country's top museums, festivals, and concerts. Munich is most famous for its Oktoberfest, which is easily the busiest time of year in the city. The architecture is what surprises most travelers. It's quite impressive and truly adds to the character of the city. Although much of Munich was destroyed during World War II, the city has successfully rebuilt most of the buildings in their previous style. Much of the city remains as it was in the 1800s. There are two major research universities in Munich, helping to make it a center for engineering, business, and the sciences.

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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, and The Best Walking Tours in Germany.


Which place is cheaper, Munich 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 Munich is $158. 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 Munich in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Vientiane $6.00
    Munich $96
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Vientiane $12
    Munich $192
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Munich

Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Munich? 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 Munich


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 Munich Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Vientiane $2.08
    Munich $20
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:

  • Private Transfer in Laos: $5.00
  • Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
  • Vientiane Airport Transfer: Wattay airport to hotel - Private transfer: $15
  • Vientiane Private Airport and Hotel Transfers: $9.00
  • Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $29

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Munich

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


  • Single Zone Trip on Subway
    $2.46
  • Inner District Subway Day Pass
    $5.57
  • City transport day ticket
    $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Munich

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Munich:

  • Airport Transfer by Bus: $12
  • Shared Departure Transfer: Munich Central Station to Munich Airport: $14
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Munich Airport to Munich Central Station: $14
  • Munich Airport (MUC) to Munich - Arrival Private Transfer: $32
  • Munich to Munich Airport (MUC) - Departure Private Transfer: $32
  • Munich Airport (MUC) to Erding Thermal - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
  • Arrival Transfer from Munich Train Station to Munich by Sedan: $60
  • Munich Airport (MUC) to Munich - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $63
  • Arrival Transfer Munich Train Station to Munich by Luxury Van: $65
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Munich Airport (MUC)- Munich City: $74
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Munich City - Munich Airport (MUC): $74
  • Munich Airport (MUC) to Arber Resort - Arrival Private Transfer: $88

Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Munich?

Prices for flights to both Munich 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
    Munich $29

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 Munich

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Munich:


  • Bratwurst
    $5.36
  • Leberkässemmeln (Veal & Pork Sandwich)
    $2.09

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Munich

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

  • Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
  • Food Tour Beer- 3 small beers & "Brotzeit" in GERMAN: $80
  • 6 gears dinner show menu: $100
  • Original Munich Christmas Market Food Tour - all tastings included: $137
  • Lunch Like a Local: Munich's ORIGINAL Viktualienmarkt Food Tour: $141
  • Private Full Day Bavarian Beer and Food Tour in Munich: $210
  • Munich Food Tour & Food Market with German Delicacies: $265
  • Salzburg Semi-Private Guided Day Tour from Munich with Dinner : $273

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Vientiane $3.53
    Munich $31

Tours and Activities in Vientiane

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

  • Vientiane ATV and Canopy Walking Experience: $48
  • Vientiane Sky Luge and Roller Zipline Experience: $55
  • From Hue: Hue to Vientiane Bus tickets: $61
  • Half-Day Vientiane City Bike Tour: $67
  • Vientiane Half-Day City Tour: $69
  • Guided Vientiane City and Buddha Park Full-Day Tour: $81
  • Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide in Vientiane: $82
  • Vientiane City Day Tour and Buddha Park Visit with Lunch: $88
  • 2 Days Private Tour in Vientiane and Vang Vieng: $90
  • Private Vientiane Tour - include Buddha Park: $100
  • 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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Munich

Here are a few typical costs in Munich for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Schack Gallery Entrance
    $4.29
  • Munich Zoo Entrance
    $9.64
  • Pub Crawl Munich Tour
    $15
  • Neuschwanstein Castle (2)
    $26

Tours and Activities in Munich

Here are a few actual costs in Munich for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Selfguided Audiotour "Munich Old Town": $3.22
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • Victuals Market Self-Guided Audio Tour: $3.77
  • Germany eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $4.31
  • Guided tour through the Sudeten German Museum: $5.38
  • Escape Game and Tour: $5.38
  • From Germany eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $5.38
  • Munich through the Centuries: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Self-guided Walking Tour to River Isar Landmarks: $6.35
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.40
  • Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $7.00
  • City Center Self-Guided Historical Walking Tour: $7.52

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Vientiane $2.34
    Munich $39

Typical Alcohol Prices in Munich

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Munich:


  • Hofbrauhaus
    $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Munich

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

  • Exclusive Brewery Tour & Tasting of 4 Organic Beers: $29
  • Munich's Original Pub Crawl: $31
  • English Guided Brewery Tour in Munich beertasting 4 beers: $38
  • Interactive Wine Tasting Experience @ Max & Moritz: $38
  • Cheese & Wine tasting: $96
  • The ORIGINAL Munich Christmas Market Festive Wine Tour -with food: $141
  • Private Wine Tasting Tour in Munich with a Wine Expert: $290
  • Private Wine Tasting Tour in Munich with a Wine Expert: $294
  • Bachelor(ette) Party with Pub Crawl: $404
  • Bachelor(ette) Party with Pub Crawl: $404


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


Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Munich?

Munich has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Munich, 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 Munich?

Munich 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 Munich in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Munich. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Munich this time of year.

In July, Vientiane is generally a little warmer than Munich. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 30°C (85°F), and Munich fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Munich this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives less sunshine than Munich during summer. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.

Vientiane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Munich. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Munich receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


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

Should I visit Vientiane or Munich in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Munich. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Munich for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Vientiane is much warmer than Munich in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Munich fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane this time of the year. In the autumn, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Munich. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 115 hours of full sun.

Vientiane usually gets more rain in October than Munich. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Munich receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Vientiane 28°C (83°F) 
    Munich 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Vientiane or Munich in the Winter?

Both Munich and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Munich in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Munich can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Vientiane is much warmer than Munich. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vientiane in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Munich averages at about -1°C (31°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Munich during winter. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 30 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Munich. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Munich receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Vientiane 24°C (75°F) 
    Munich -1°C (31°F)

Should I visit Vientiane or Munich in the Spring?

Both Munich and Vientiane during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Munich for the activities around the city during these months.

Vientiane can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Munich. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 31°C (88°F), and Munich fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

It's quite sunny in Vientiane. In the spring, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Munich. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 172 hours of full sun.

Vientiane usually gets more rain in April than Munich. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Munich receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Vientiane 31°C (88°F) 
    Munich 11°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Munich and Vientiane

Vientiane Munich
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) -1°C (31°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 3°C (37°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 29°C (85°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 6°C (43°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Apr 31°C (88°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 11°C (53°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
May 30°C (87°F) 255 mm (10 in) 15°C (60°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Jun 30°C (86°F) 273 mm (10.7 in) 19°C (65°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Jul 30°C (85°F) 266 mm (10.5 in) 20°C (68°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 29°C (85°F) 323 mm (12.7 in) 20°C (68°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 295 mm (11.6 in) 17°C (62°F) 60 mm (2.3 in)
Oct 28°C (83°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 6°C (42°F) 52 mm (2.1 in)
Dec 24°C (74°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 1°C (33°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)