Which place is cheaper, Nara 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 Nara?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Nara, 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 Nara?
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.
Nara
As Japan's first capital, Nara offers a world of tradition and culture second only to the city of Kyoto. It is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which are largely concentrated in the area of Nara Park. Here, it is also common to see many deer wandering freely amongst the temples and shrines.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.
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Vientiane Prices
Laos PricesNara Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $24Nara $111
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $24, while the average daily cost in Nara is $111. 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 Nara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $8.45Nara $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $17Nara $108
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Nara
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Nara? 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 Nara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.01Nara $6.04
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:
- Vientiane Private Transfer: Wattay Airport -Hotel-Railway Station: $9.90
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $20
- Vientiane - Hanoi Sleeping Bus Transfer : $63
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Nara?
Prices for flights to both Nara 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 $12Nara $51
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nara.
- Handmade Soba and Tempura Cooking Class in Nara: $49
- Udon and Tempura Cooking Class in Nara: $52
- Nara Personalized Half Day Food Tour with a Local Guide: $160
- Taste of Nara A Guided Half Day Food Tour Tailored to Your Taste: $160
- Full Day Nara E bike Tour and Osaka History Food Tour: $200
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.80Nara $8.09
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- Laos Railway Tickets Easily: Avoid Long Queues & Wasted Time: $30
- Laos Railway Tickets Online: Skip Long Queues, Avoid Missing: $30
- Art, Culture, & Inspiration Guided Half-Day Tour: $52
- Half-Day City Tour with Patuxai and Buddha Park: $52
- Vientiane Sky Luge and Roller Zipline Experience: $55
- Vientiane Landmarks and Cultural Immersion Tour: $56
- Cultural Tour with Buddha Park and Patuxay: $58
- Vientiane IG tour & Patuxay monument: $59
- Half-Day City Tour - Morning or Afternoon: $65
- Vientiane Half Day City Tour: $80
- Vientiane : Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $88
- Vientiane Half-Day City Tour: $89
Tours and Activities in Nara
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nara are as follows:
- Gripped Sumi Ink Experience at a Historic Workshop in Nara: $23
- Naramachi walking tour with Local: $31
- Nara Highlight Walking Tour with Furoshiki Experience with Lunch: $35
- All must-sees in 3 hours - Nara Park Classic Tour! From JR Nara!: $45
- Perfect Nara Park Half-Day Bus Tour with English Speaking Guide: $69
- Uji Tea Ceremony and UNESCO Heritage Walking Tour: $70
- Kyoto: Tea Museum and Tsuen Teahouse Guided Tour: $74
- Nara - Highlights Bike Tour: $76
- Nara Early Morning Tour (Kyoto or Osaka Departure Available): $80
- First Time Nara Tour UNESCO Sites with Lunch and Deer Feed: $83
- Nara Todaiji Lazy Bird Walking Tour: $92
- Nara World Heritage PRIVATE TOUR: $102
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.12Nara $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Nara, we can see that Nara 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 Nara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nara 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 Nara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Nara?
Nara has a larger population, and is about 87% larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Nara, 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 Nara?
Nara 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 Nara in the Summer?
Both Nara and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Nara for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Vientiane is a little warmer than Nara. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vientiane in July average around 30°C (85°F), and Nara averages at about 27°C (80°F).
Vientiane usually receives less sunshine than Nara during summer. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Nara receives 183 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nara. It's quite rainy in Vientiane. In July, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Nara. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Nara receives 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Nara 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Nara in the Autumn?
Both Nara and Vientiane during the autumn 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 autumn months attract visitors to Nara because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Nara. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 28°C (83°F), and Nara fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
It's quite sunny in Vientiane. In the autumn, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Nara. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nara receives 159 hours of full sun.
Nara gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vientiane usually gets less rain in October than Nara. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Nara receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Nara 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Nara in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Nara. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nara this time of year.
It's quite cold in Nara in the winter. Vientiane is much warmer than Nara in the winter. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Nara fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Nara during winter. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Nara receives 140 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Nara. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Nara receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Nara 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Nara in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Nara. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Nara for the natural beauty.
The heat can be very extreme in Vientiane. In the spring, Vientiane is much warmer than Nara. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vientiane in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Nara averages at about 14°C (57°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane this time of the year. In the spring, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Nara. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nara receives 176 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Nara. Vientiane usually gets less rain in April than Nara. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Nara receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Nara 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Nara and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Nara | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 60 mm (2.3 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 128 mm (5.1 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 214 mm (8.4 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 186 mm (7.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.