Which place is cheaper, Portland or Vientiane?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Vientiane or Portland?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Portland, 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 Portland?
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.
Portland
Referred to as "The City of Roses", Portland is the largest city in Oregon. It sits on the banks of the Columbia River and offers breathtaking views of Mount Hood when the weather allows. Portland is famous for its alternative vibe, live music scene, and popular microbreweries. It's also a mecca for environmentally conscious urban planning. The downtown area is quite compact and walkable. While the city itself may be smaller than you expect, it is still the largest metropolitan area between San Francisco and Seattle.
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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $15Portland $180
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $15, while the average daily cost in Portland is $180. 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 Portland in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $6.00Portland $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $12Portland $194
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Portland
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Portland? 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 Portland Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.08Portland $28
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 Portland
Also for Portland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Waterfall Express -PDX: Waterfall Trolley Tickets + Transfer: $60
- Portland downtown to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $61
- Lake Oswego to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $71
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Beaverton hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
- Tigard hotel or address to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $75
- Private Transfer from Portland Airport (PDX) to Astoria Port: $88
- Portland International Airport - Private transfer from/to Oregon City: $127
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Lake Oswego - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $142
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Tigard hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $151
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Portland?
Prices for flights to both Portland 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 $6.30Portland $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
Typical Food Prices in Portland
For Portland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Afternoon Drinks (for 2)$9.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Portland
For Portland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Walking Pizza Tour: $75
- Secret Food Tour with Local Guide: $94
- Brunch on Mississippi Food Tour: $95
- Downtown Portland Food Tour : $99
- Downtown Food Tour: $102
- Mississippi Avenue Walking Food Tour: $105
- The Vibrant Kerns Hood Food Tour: $105
- The Bustling Buckman Hood Food Tour: $105
- Portland Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $109
- Mississippi Avenue Walking Food Tour: $110
- All-Inclusive Downtown Portland Food Tour: $119
- 2.5-hour Dinner Cruise on Willamette River: $127
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.53Portland $24
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 Portland
For Portland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Smartphone Old Port Portland, ME Audio Walking Tour APP/GPS: $6.75
- Portland, Maine: Walking Tour Audio Guide: $8.99
- Downtown Portland In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $9.00
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure Smartphone Audio Guide: $10
- Waterfront Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $13
- Downtown Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Walking Tour: $13
- Portland (Along the Waterfront) Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Tour: $13
- Portland Exploration: Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour: $14
- Self-Guided Sightseeing Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Portland Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
- Smartphone-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Portland: $25
- Ghosts, Poltergeists, and Psychopaths Walking Tour: $26
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.34Portland $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Portland
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Portland:
- Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings: $40
- Portland Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $40
- Weird Bar Crawl with Fanatical Local: $59
- Guided Bike Tour with Brewery Visits: $65
- Portland, Maine: Old Port Brewery & Pub Walking Tour: $89
- Portland, Maine: Local Brewery & Spirits Bus Tour: $99
- Afternoon Tour in Columbia Gorge Waterfall with Free Wine Tasting: $111
- Waterfalls, Mt Hood, and Wine Tour (Tasting Fees Included): $135
- Silver Falls Hike and Wine Tour: $179
- Willamette Valley Wine Tasting from Portland: $189
- Bed and Breakfast Wine Tour - Small Group, Joinable/Sharable: $198
- From Willamette Valley Full-Day Wine Tour: $210
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Portland, we can see that Portland 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 Portland 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 Portland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Portland 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 Portland Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Portland?
Portland has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Portland, 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 Portland?
Portland 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 Portland in the Summer?
Both Portland 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. Also, many travelers come to Portland for the hiking, the small town charm, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Vientiane is a little warmer than Portland in the summer. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 30°C (85°F) in July, and Portland fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
In Portland, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Vientiane often gets less sunshine than Portland. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 338 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually gets more rain in July than Portland. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Portland receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Portland 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Vientiane or Portland in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Portland. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Also, many visitors come to Portland in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Vientiane is much warmer than Portland. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vientiane in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Portland averages at about 55°F (13°C).
In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Portland during autumn. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Portland. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Portland receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Portland 55°F (13°C)
Should I visit Vientiane or Portland in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Portland. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Portland for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Portland can be very cold during winter. In January, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Portland. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 24°C (75°F), and Portland fluctuates around 40°F (4°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 Portland. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 86 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Portland. Vientiane usually gets less rain in January than Portland. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Portland receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Portland 40°F (4°C)
Should I visit Vientiane or Portland in the Spring?
Both Portland 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 Portland because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.
It's very hot in Vientiane this time of the year. Vientiane is much warmer than Portland in the spring. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and Portland fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
It's quite sunny in Portland. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Portland during spring. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Portland. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Portland receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Portland 51°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Portland and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Portland | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 40°F (4°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 69°F (20°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.7 inches (44 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 5.4 inches (136 mm) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 40°F (5°C) | 6.1 inches (156 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.