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

Should you visit Vientiane or Oslo?

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

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

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.

Oslo

Oslo is not only the largest city in Norway, and also its capital. It also holds the title as the most expensive city in the world. Oslo is a unique capital city in that its boundaries include much forest and wildlife. The city itself is nestled in an amphitheater type setting. The city's core is in the bottom by the fjord, and the residential areas stretch uphill away from the downtown area.

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 Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.


Which place is cheaper, Oslo 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 Oslo is $137. 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 Oslo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Vientiane $6.00
    Oslo $81
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Vientiane $12
    Oslo $162
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Oslo

Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Oslo? 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 Oslo


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 Oslo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Vientiane $2.08
    Oslo $23
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
  • 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
  • Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $29

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Oslo

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Oslo are as follows:


  • Tram Ticket
    $6.61

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oslo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Oslo:

  • Trondheim Vaernes Airport (TRD) to Trondheim - Arrival Transfer : $41
  • Oslo hotels to Oslo Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $46
  • Trondheim Vaernes Airport (TRD) to Trondheim- Round-Trip Transfer: $81
  • Private Transfer from Olso Airport to Olso Hotels: $82
  • Private One-way Airport Transfer (Oslo Airport To/From Oslo): $89
  • Oslo Cruise Port to Oslo Airport (OSL) - Departure Private Transfer: $90
  • Private Transfer from Oslo Airport to Oslo Cruise Port: $90
  • Oslo City Center to Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL) - Departure Private Transfer: $91
  • Oslo Cruise Port to Oslo hotels- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $92
  • Olso: Private Transfer from the City Center to Oslo Airport: $108
  • Departure Private Transfer from Oslo to Oslo Airport OSL by Business Car: $114
  • Arrival Private Transfer Oslo OSL Airport to Oslo by Business Car: $115

Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Oslo?

Prices for flights to both Oslo 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
    Oslo $30

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Oslo

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

  • Oslofjord Cruise with Seafood Dinner: $59
  • Oslo Alternative Culture and Street Food Tour: $73
  • Christmas Street Food Tour with Akevitt and Christmas beer : $111
  • 3-course Dinner Cruise in the Oslofjord: $119
  • Oslo Fjord 3 Course Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $119

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Vientiane $3.53
    Oslo $19

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

Tours and Activities in Oslo

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

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • Explore Oslo with Passionate Tour Guides: $3.23
  • Guided Walking Tour in Central Oslo: $4.45
  • Digging up the Past in Røros: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.99
  • Tour a Pie en Oslo en Español: $7.41
  • Downtown Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • An Oslo Waterfront Stroll: Self-paced Audio Tour: $7.99
  • A Self-Guided Tour of Akershus to Kongen Marina Waterfront: $7.99
  • Oslo Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and City Tour: $8.07
  • Discover Oslo's Heart: Audio Tour Through Time and Beauty: $11
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • The Fram Museum Admission Ticket: $13

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Vientiane $2.34
    Oslo $11


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


Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Oslo?

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

Oslo 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 Oslo in the Summer?

Both Oslo 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, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Oslo this time of year.

Vientiane is much warmer than Oslo in the summer. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 30°C (85°F) in July, and Oslo fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Oslo. Vientiane usually receives less sunshine than Oslo during summer. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Vientiane. In July, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Oslo. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Vientiane 30°C (85°F) 
    Oslo 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Vientiane or Oslo in the Autumn?

Both Oslo 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, many travelers come to Oslo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Vientiane is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vientiane in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Oslo averages at about 7°C (45°F).

It's quite sunny in Vientiane. In the autumn, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Oslo. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun.

Vientiane usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Oslo. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Vientiane 28°C (83°F) 
    Oslo 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Vientiane or Oslo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Oslo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Oslo in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Oslo can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 24°C (75°F), and Oslo fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during winter. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Oslo. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Vientiane 24°C (75°F) 
    Oslo -4°C (25°F)

Should I visit Vientiane or Oslo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Oslo. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Oslo for the activities around the city during these months.

It's very hot in Vientiane this time of the year. Vientiane is much warmer than Oslo in the spring. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and Oslo fluctuates around 6°C (42°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 Oslo. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun.

Vientiane usually gets more rain in April than Oslo. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Vientiane 31°C (88°F) 
    Oslo 6°C (42°F)

Typical Weather for Oslo and Vientiane

Vientiane Oslo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) -4°C (25°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) -3°C (26°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Mar 29°C (85°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 1°C (33°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Apr 31°C (88°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 6°C (42°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
May 30°C (87°F) 255 mm (10 in) 12°C (53°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Jun 30°C (86°F) 273 mm (10.7 in) 16°C (61°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Jul 30°C (85°F) 266 mm (10.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Aug 29°C (85°F) 323 mm (12.7 in) 16°C (61°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 295 mm (11.6 in) 12°C (53°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Oct 28°C (83°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 7°C (45°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 1°C (35°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Dec 24°C (74°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) -2°C (28°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)