Which place is cheaper, Picton 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 Picton?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Picton, 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 Picton?
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.
Picton
Picton, New Zealand is located in the picturesque Marlborough Region on the South Island. With beachfront access in a central location and near the Marlborough Sounds, Picton is an ideal place for anyone looking for both adventure and relaxation in one of the most naturally beautiful countries in the world.
The weather in Picton is fairly mild, ranging from the low fifties to high sixties, Fahrenheit, throughout the year. Their summer months are December through March, this is when you'll find temperatures in the high sixties. During the winter, June through August, Picton experiences averages of fifty degree Fahrenheit. This means you can visit any time of the year without having to worry about weather inhibiting any of your outdoor activities!
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand.
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Vientiane Prices
Laos PricesPicton Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $24Picton $101
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $24, while the average daily cost in Picton is $101. 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 Picton in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $8.45Picton $37
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $17Picton $74
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Picton
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Picton? 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 Picton Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.01Picton -
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Picton
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Picton:
- Private Transfer from Blenheim city hotels to Picton Cruise Port: $120
- Private Transfer from Picton Cruise Port to Blenheim City Hotels: $121
- Private Transfer from Blenheim Airport (BHE) to Picton Port: $133
- Private Transfer from Picton Port to Blenheim Airport (BHE): $134
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Picton?
Prices for flights to both Picton 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 $12Picton $34
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 Picton
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Picton.
- CRUISE SHIP DAYS - HOP ON HOP OFF - Wine, Beer, Food Tour: $58
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.80Picton $109
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 Picton
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Picton are as follows:
- Skip the Line: Dangerous Skies WWII Exhibition - Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre: $15
- Discover Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Hinterland Cycling Tour, Havelock: $23
- Skip the Line:WWI & WWII Combo Exhibitions at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre: $29
- Kalapathar Sunrise, Birdwatching and Village Tour: $35
- Picton Shore Excursion: Queen Charlotte Sounds Cruise: $49
- Picton Shore Excursion Queen Charlotte Sound Cruise: $51
- Kayaking Mangrove Adventure at Havelock: $56
- Queen Charlotte Sound: Lochmara Cruise and Explore Day Trip: $57
- Half-Day Cruise in Marlborough Sounds from Picton: $63
- Marlborough Sounds and Ship Cove Cruise from Picton: $64
- Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary and Ship Cove Cruise from Picton: $66
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.12Picton $34
Sample the Local Flavors in Picton
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Picton:
- Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour (full day) in the Marlborough Region.: $39
- Self-Guided Wine Tours by Bike with Lorelle & Greg : $41
- Marlborough: Hop-On Hop-Off Wine, Brewery, and Wonders Tour: $75
- Hop on Hop off Wine Tours Marlborough: $77
- Marlborough Afternoon Wine Tour with Tastings: $77
- CRUISE SHIP DAY Marlborough Hop On Hop Off Wine Tours: $77
- Marlborough Half Day Wine Tour From Picton: $92
- Marlborough Wine Tasting Tour.: $95
- Half-Day Wine Tour from Blenheim: $95
- Half-Day Wine Tour from Picton: $95
- Morning Guided with Afternoon Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour: $101
- Taste the Valley Wine Tour in Marlborough with Wine Tasting: $101
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Picton, we can see that Picton 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 Picton is in Pacific, 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 Picton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Picton 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 Picton Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Picton?
Vientiane has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Picton. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Picton, 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 Picton?
Picton 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 Picton in the Summer?
Both Picton 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, many visitors come to Picton in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Pictonin January. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 30°C (85°F), and Picton fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It's quite rainy in Vientiane. In July, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Pictonin January. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Picton receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryVientiane 30°C (85°F)Picton 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Picton in the Autumn?
Both Picton 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. Also, most visitors come to Picton for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere during these months.
Vientiane is much warmer than Picton in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Picton fluctuates around 15°C (58°F)in April.
Vientiane usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Pictonin April. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Picton receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilVientiane 28°C (83°F)Picton 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Picton in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Picton. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Picton because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Vientiane is much warmer than Picton. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vientiane in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Picton averages at about 10°C (49°F)in July.
Picton receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Pictonin July. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Picton receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyVientiane 24°C (75°F)Picton 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Picton in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Picton. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the beaches and the small town charm are the main draw to Picton this time of year.
Vientiane can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Pictonin October. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 31°C (88°F), and Picton fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
Vientiane usually gets less rain in April than Pictonin October. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Picton receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberVientiane 31°C (88°F)Picton 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Picton and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Picton | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 69 mm (2.7 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.