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

Should you visit Vientiane or Podgorica?

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

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

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.

Podgorica

Podgorica is Montenegro's capital city, and also its largest. Dating back to the Ottoman Empire, World War II destroyed much of this history, but there are a few Turkish remnants worth visiting. Podgorica's central location often makes the city a good starting point for day trips to coastal cities or mountain resorts.

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 Budget Tours to Montenegro, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Montenegro.


Which place is cheaper, Podgorica 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 Podgorica is $112. 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 Podgorica in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Vientiane $6.00
    Podgorica $49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Vientiane $12
    Podgorica $98
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Podgorica

Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Podgorica? 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 Podgorica


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 Podgorica Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Vientiane $2.08
    Podgorica $21
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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Podgorica

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Podgorica:

  • Transfer Podgorica city center- Podgorica Airport: $22
  • Private transfer from Podgorica airport to Podgorica city: $26
  • Private Transfer: Podgorica Airport TGD to Podgorica in Sedan Car: $34
  • Private Transfer to Budva: $39
  • Private Transfer: Podgorica to TGD Airport in Business Car: $41
  • Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Kotor Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $47
  • Private Transfer from Podgorica hotels to Kotor Cruise Port: $47
  • Podgorica hotels to Kotor Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $47
  • Private transfer to Tivat: $54
  • Private transfer to Kotor: $54
  • From One-Way Private Transfer to/from Virpazar: $57
  • Podgorica airport: Private Transfer to/from Budva: $75

Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Podgorica?

Prices for flights to both Podgorica 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
    Podgorica $43

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Vientiane $3.53
    Podgorica $22

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 Podgorica

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

  • Skip The Line: National Park Skadar Lake - Tickets: $8.23
  • Skadar lake - Falcon kayak tour: $13
  • Boat Cruise Viktor Skadar LakeVirpazar Kom MonasteryVirpazar: $14
  • Lake Skadar Grmozur Fortress and Monastery Cruise: $16
  • Lake Skadar: Guided Sightseeing Boat Tour with Refreshments: $16
  • Two Hours Sightseeing Lake Cruise at Montenegro National Park: $16
  • Lake Skadar: Guided Panoramic Boat Tour to Kom Monastery : $22
  • Podgorica City Walking Tour: $22
  • From Virpazar: Guided Lake Skadar cruise and Crnojevića River: $33
  • Book Your Tour Podgorica by walk: $36
  • Book Your Tour Ostrog Monastery: $66
  • Walking tour, all the secrets of Podgorica: $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Vientiane $2.34
    Podgorica $21

Sample the Local Flavors in Podgorica

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Podgorica:

  • Private Wine Tasting Activity at Lipovac Winery: $27
  • Book Your Wine Tour: $78
  • Podgorica Car Trip - Architecture, History, Wine tasting, Churches, Doclea city: $98
  • Wine tasting in the family winery, feel the spirit: $121
  • Montenegro: Nature, Locals & Wine Tour: $129
  • Full Day Private Podgorica Wine Tour Experience: $159
  • Skadar lake boat ride through "Montenegrin Amazon", wine tasting & Niagara falls: $197


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


Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Podgorica?

Vientiane has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of Podgorica. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Podgorica, 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 Podgorica?

Podgorica 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 Podgorica in the Summer?

Both Podgorica and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.

Vientiane is a little warmer than Podgorica in the summer. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 30°C (85°F) in July, and Podgorica fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in Podgorica. Vientiane usually receives less sunshine than Podgorica during summer. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Podgorica receives 341 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Vientiane. In July, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Podgorica. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Vientiane 30°C (85°F) 
    Podgorica 26°C (80°F)

Should I visit Vientiane or Podgorica in the Autumn?

Both Podgorica 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.

In the autumn, Vientiane is much warmer than Podgorica. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vientiane in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Podgorica averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In Podgorica, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Vientiane. In the autumn, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Podgorica. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Podgorica receives 203 hours of full sun.

Podgorica gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vientiane usually gets less rain in October than Podgorica. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Vientiane 28°C (83°F) 
    Podgorica 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Vientiane or Podgorica in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Podgorica. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round.

In January, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Podgorica. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 24°C (75°F), and Podgorica fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Podgorica during winter. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Podgorica receives 121 hours of full sun in the winter.

Podgorica receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Podgorica. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 192 mm (7.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Vientiane 24°C (75°F) 
    Podgorica 6°C (42°F)

Should I visit Vientiane or Podgorica in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Podgorica. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

It's very hot in Vientiane this time of the year. Vientiane is much warmer than Podgorica in the spring. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and Podgorica fluctuates around 14°C (58°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 Podgorica. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Podgorica receives 194 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Podgorica. Vientiane usually gets less rain in April than Podgorica. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Vientiane 31°C (88°F) 
    Podgorica 14°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Podgorica and Vientiane

Vientiane Podgorica
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 6°C (42°F) 192 mm (7.6 in)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 8°C (46°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Mar 29°C (85°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 11°C (51°F) 159 mm (6.3 in)
Apr 31°C (88°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 14°C (58°F) 144 mm (5.7 in)
May 30°C (87°F) 255 mm (10 in) 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Jun 30°C (86°F) 273 mm (10.7 in) 23°C (73°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 30°C (85°F) 266 mm (10.5 in) 26°C (80°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Aug 29°C (85°F) 323 mm (12.7 in) 26°C (79°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 295 mm (11.6 in) 22°C (72°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Oct 28°C (83°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 166 mm (6.5 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 11°C (53°F) 239 mm (9.4 in)
Dec 24°C (74°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 7°C (45°F) 217 mm (8.5 in)