Which place is cheaper, New Orleans 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 New Orleans?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or New Orleans, 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 New Orleans?
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.
New Orleans
New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana, and it is a cultural city that is the home of jazz, unique cuisine, and Mardi Gras in the U.S. It was established in 1718 and is one of the oldest cities in the country. The culture of the city has a mix of French, Creole, African American, Caribbean, Irish, Haitian, German and Vietnamese. There's an energy and atmosphere that is unlike any place else.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.
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Vientiane Prices
Laos PricesNew Orleans Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $23New Orleans $270
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $23, while the average daily cost in New Orleans is $270. 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 New Orleans in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $8.17New Orleans $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $16New Orleans $248
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and New Orleans
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or New Orleans? 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 New Orleans Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $1.94New Orleans $51
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$4.02
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
- Private transfer from Vientiane to Vang vieng: $120
Typical Local Transportation Prices in New Orleans
Some typical examples of transportation costs in New Orleans are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in New Orleans
Also for New Orleans, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- New Orleans Airport Private Hotel Transfer up to 5 passengers: $43
- New Orleans Airport(MSY) to Port of New Orleans- Private Transfer: $46
- Private Transfer from New Orleans Port to New Orleans city: $46
- Cruise Port Transfer New Orleans and Louis Armstrong Intl MSY: $48
- Private Transfer to/from Louis Armstrong Intl Airport and NOLA: $48
- Luxury Private Airport Transfer Service in New Orleans: $50
- New Orleans to New Orleans L.Armstrong Airport(MSY) - Departure Private Transfer: $50
- Private Hotel & Airport Transfers in New Orleans Area One Way: $58
- Private Transfer in New Orleans MSY/Home/Hotel/Work: $60
- New Orleans Airport (MSY) to New Orleans - Arrival Transfer: $62
- New Orleans port to New Orleans Airport (MSY) Private Transfer: $62
- New Orleans Airport (MSY) to New Orleans Port Private Transfer: $62
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or New Orleans?
Prices for flights to both New Orleans 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 $12New Orleans $77
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
- Small-Group Street Food Tour with Tastings: $91
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour: $122
- Cooking Class Garden House: $335
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in New Orleans
For New Orleans, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- New Orleans Demonstration Cooking Class with Meal: $45
- Jazz Dinner Cruise aboard the Riverboat City of New Orleans: $58
- New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option: $58
- Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Jazz Dinner Cruise in New Orleans: $60
- New Orleans Sweet Treats Food Tour: Beignets, Donuts, & Much More: $70
- French Quarter Walking Food Tour: Signature Tastes of New Orleans: $80
- French Quarter Food Tour: 5 Classic Bites and NOLA Stories: $81
- NOLA Carte Food Tour: 300 Years of Flavor in the French Quarter: $96
- New Orleans Original Seafood Tour of the French Quarter: $100
- New Orleans Cooking Class and Cocktail Walking Tour: $106
- New Orleans Small-Group Food Walking Tour and Cooking Class: $117
- Vegan French Quarter Food Tour of NOLA cuisine: $149
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.68New Orleans $55
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
- 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: $168
- Lao Arts Museum & City Highlights Tour with Lunch: $122
- Laos Railway Tickets Easily: Avoid Long Queues & Wasted Time: $8.50
- Laos Railway Tickets Online: Skip Long Queues, Avoid Missing: $12
Typical Entertainment Prices in New Orleans
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New Orleans's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Zoo & Aquarium Tickets (2)$75
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Riverboat Cruise$70
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French Quarter City Tour$100
Tours and Activities in New Orleans
For New Orleans, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Discover A Self-Guided Tour: $1.14
- French Quarter Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
- Podcast Tour New Orleans The Garden District: $5.49
- Self Guided Tour of the Historic French Quarter: $5.99
- New Orleans French Quarter: Stolen Art Puzzle Adventure: $6.18
- Ghost Hunt in Quest Experience: $6.18
- Ghosts of Self-Guided Haunted Audio Walking Tour: $6.75
- New Orleans Garden District Self Guided Walking Tour GPS APP: $7.99
- New Orleans Slavery Voodoo and Resistance Self Guided Tour: $7.99
- Self-Guided Walking Tour French Quarter In New Orleans: $8.99
- A Walk in the Park: City Park New Orleans Audio Tour: $9.99
- Metairie Cemetery Stories: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.05New Orleans $60
Sample the Local Flavors in New Orleans
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New Orleans:
- Pub Crawl: French Quarter Haunted History Cocktail Tour: $14
- Ghost Tour and Haunted Pub Crawl Party with Free Shot: $21
- Pub Crawl: The Drunken Telling of New Orleans Tales: $22
- New Orleans Old Alker Distillery Tour and Expert Guided Tasting: $25
- New Orleans Seafood Bar Crawl: $25
- Crawl Haunted Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour: $27
- Haunted Pub Crawl in New Orleans: $30
- New Orleans Original True Crime Pub Crawl: $30
- Pub Crawl: New Orleans Cocktail and Ghost Tour: $30
- New Orleans Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Pub Crawl: New Orleans Happy Hour Ghost Walking Tour: $33
- New Orleans Haunted Pub Crawl: Ghosts & French Quarter Nightlife: $35
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and New Orleans, we can see that New Orleans 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 New Orleans is in North America, 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 New Orleans would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New Orleans 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 New Orleans Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or New Orleans?
New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and New Orleans, 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 New Orleans?
New Orleans 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 New Orleans in the Summer?
Both New Orleans 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, many travelers come to New Orleans for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Vientiane is around the same temperature as New Orleans in the summer. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 30°C (85°F) in July, and New Orleans fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).
In New Orleans, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Vientiane often gets less sunshine than New Orleans. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 264 hours of full sun.
New Orleans 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 New Orleans. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)New Orleans 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Vientiane or New Orleans in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and New Orleans. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to New Orleans in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
In the autumn, Vientiane is a little warmer than New Orleans. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vientiane in October average around 28°C (83°F), and New Orleans averages at about 69°F (21°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans this time of the year. In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives less sunshine than New Orleans during autumn. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 240 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Vientiane usually receives more rain than New Orleans. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)New Orleans 69°F (21°C)
Should I visit Vientiane or New Orleans in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as New Orleans. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to New Orleans for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.
In January, Vientiane is generally much warmer than New Orleans. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 24°C (75°F), and New Orleans fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane this time of the year. In the winter, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than New Orleans. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 158 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in New Orleans. Vientiane usually gets less rain in January than New Orleans. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)New Orleans 51°F (11°C)
Should I visit Vientiane or New Orleans in the Spring?
Both New Orleans 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, the spring months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the activities around the city.
It's very hot in Vientiane this time of the year. Vientiane is much warmer than New Orleans in the spring. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and New Orleans fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
It's quite sunny in New Orleans. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually receives less sunshine than New Orleans during spring. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 254 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. In April, Vientiane usually receives less rain than New Orleans. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)New Orleans 68°F (20°C)
Typical Weather for New Orleans and Vientiane
| Vientiane | New Orleans | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 5.2 inches (131 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 5.8 inches (147 mm) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 5 inches (126 mm) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 5.9 inches (151 mm) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 6.2 inches (157 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 5.5 inches (140 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 69°F (21°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 61°F (16°C) | 4.8 inches (122 mm) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 5.7 inches (146 mm) |
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.