Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Vientiane?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Vientiane or Ottawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Ottawa, 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 Ottawa?
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.
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital city of Canada, located on the Ontario side of the Ottawa River. A city of many ethnic populations, Ottawa is uniquely bilingual with English as the first language of the population's majority and French as a close second. It is best known as the nation's capital, which is centered on Parliament Hill, an architectural landmark as well as the seat of government.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $15Ottawa $123
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $15, while the average daily cost in Ottawa is $123. 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 Ottawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $6.00Ottawa $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $12Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Ottawa
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Ottawa? 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 Ottawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.08Ottawa $7.27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$4.23
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ottawa
Also for Ottawa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW: $40
- Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW Private Arrival/Departure Shuttle Transfer : $52
- Ottawa to Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier Airport (YOW) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Ottawa?
Prices for flights to both Ottawa 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 $6.30Ottawa $17
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 Ottawa
For Ottawa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Oh Canada Eh!? Dinner Musical : $71
- Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour: $79
- Evening Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour: $82
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.53Ottawa $40
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 Ottawa
For Ottawa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.46
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $6.46
- Ottawa Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Explore Canada Through Ottawa's Eyes with Walking Tours Through The City: $6.68
- Ottawa's Hidden History: A Self Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- A Self Guided Audio Tour of Ottawa's Hidden History: $6.99
- Ottawa Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Ottawa by Wacky Walks: $10
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Ottawa by Operation City Quest: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Ottawa by Crazy Dash: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.34Ottawa $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Ottawa
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Ottawa:
- Epic Ottawa Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Ottawa, we can see that Ottawa 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 Ottawa 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 Ottawa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ottawa 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 Ottawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Ottawa?
Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Ottawa, 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 Ottawa?
Ottawa 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 Ottawa in the Summer?
Both Ottawa 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.
In July, Vientiane is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 30°C (85°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).
In Ottawa, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Vientiane often gets less sunshine than Ottawa. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually gets more rain in July than Ottawa. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Ottawa 21°C (71°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Ottawa in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Ottawa. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round.
Vientiane is much warmer than Ottawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during autumn. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Ottawa 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Ottawa in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Ottawa. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
It's quite cold in Ottawa in the winter. In the winter, Vientiane is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vientiane in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Ottawa averages at about -10°C (14°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 Ottawa. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.
Vientiane usually gets less rain in January than Ottawa. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Ottawa -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Ottawa in the Spring?
Both Ottawa and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.
Vientiane can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 31°C (88°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during spring. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Ottawa 6°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Ottawa and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Ottawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 73 mm (2.9 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.