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

Should you visit Vientiane or Qingdao?

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

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

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.

Qingdao

Qingdao, China, located in the Shandong Province, is a very large city right on the Yellow Sea coast. The city, whose name means "The Green Island" due to it's gorgeous landscapes and interesting geography, was named China's most livable city in 2012. The city is rich in history, having almost become a German territory in 1897 and being occupied by the Japanese during WWI. Evidence of these occupiers is present in much of the architecture around the city, which includes a few Catholic and Protestant churches.

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 Cultural Tours in China, and The Best Luxury Tours to China.


Which place is cheaper, Qingdao 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 Qingdao is $58. 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 Qingdao in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Vientiane $6.01
    Qingdao $26
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Vientiane $12
    Qingdao $52
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Qingdao

Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Qingdao? 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 Qingdao


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Vientiane $2.08
    Qingdao $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane

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


  • Tuk Tuk Ride
    $4.24

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
  • Vientiane - Hanoi Sleeping Bus Transfer : $63
  • Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
  • Private Transfer in Laos: $5.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Qingdao

Also for Qingdao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Qingdao Railway Station : $36
  • Qingdao Railway Station Depature Transfer from City Hotels: $36
  • Qingdao Railway Station Arrival Transfer to City Hotel: $36
  • Qingdao Cruise Port Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $36
  • Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
  • Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $83
  • Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao Airport (TAO) to central Qingdao: $83
  • Qingdao Liuting Airport Transfer Service by Minivan: $86

Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Qingdao?

Prices for flights to both Qingdao 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 $6.32
    Qingdao $20

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 $3.54
    Qingdao $20

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: $62
  • 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 Qingdao

For Qingdao, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Private Qingdao City tour with Lunch and Qingdao beer: $175
  • Private Qingdao Historic architectural day tour with Tsingdao beer during Lunch: $190
  • Private Qingdao Laoshan half day tour with one bottle of Tsingdao beer as gift: $199
  • Qingdao private half day tour with Tsingdao Beer Lunch : $202
  • Qingdao Shore Excursion: Private Full Day Laoshan Mountain Sightseeing Tour: $207
  • Private Qingdao Essentials Tour: City Highlights and Beer Museum: $216
  • Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour: $224
  • Qingdao Private Day Tour to Laoshan Mountain with Lunch and Cable Car: $238
  • Private Qingdao Laoshan day tour with lunch& round way cable car: $240
  • Qingdao Discover Tour to the Mount Laoshan and Tasting Famous Local Beer: $248
  • Qingdao Private Tour: City Highlights and Laoshan Mountain with Lunch+Cable Car: $268
  • All-Inclusive Private Day Tour: Qingdao Highlights with Lunch: $285

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Vientiane $2.35
    Qingdao $14


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Qingdao, we can see that Qingdao is more expensive. And not only is Vientiane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Qingdao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Qingdao 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 Qingdao Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Qingdao?

Qingdao has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Qingdao, 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 Qingdao?

Qingdao 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 Qingdao in the Summer?

Both Qingdao 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 Qingdao. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 30°C (85°F), and Qingdao fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In the summer, Vientiane often gets less sunshine than Qingdao. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Qingdao receives 183 hours of full sun.

Qingdao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually gets more rain in July than Qingdao. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Vientiane 30°C (85°F) 
    Qingdao 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Vientiane or Qingdao in the Autumn?

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

Vientiane is much warmer than Qingdao in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Qingdao fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Qingdao this time of the year. In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Qingdao during autumn. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Qingdao receives 220 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Qingdao. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Vientiane 28°C (83°F) 
    Qingdao 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Vientiane or Qingdao in the Winter?

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

Qingdao can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Vientiane is much warmer than Qingdao. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vientiane in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Qingdao averages at about -0°C (32°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 Qingdao. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Qingdao receives 185 hours of full sun.

Vientiane usually gets less rain in January than Qingdao. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Vientiane 24°C (75°F) 
    Qingdao -0°C (32°F)

Should I visit Vientiane or Qingdao in the Spring?

Both Qingdao 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 Qingdao. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 31°C (88°F), and Qingdao fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

It's quite sunny in Qingdao. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Qingdao during spring. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Qingdao receives 224 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Qingdao. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Vientiane 31°C (88°F) 
    Qingdao 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Qingdao and Vientiane

Vientiane Qingdao
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) -0°C (32°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 1°C (34°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)
Mar 29°C (85°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 6°C (43°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Apr 31°C (88°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 12°C (53°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
May 30°C (87°F) 255 mm (10 in) 17°C (62°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Jun 30°C (86°F) 273 mm (10.7 in) 21°C (70°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Jul 30°C (85°F) 266 mm (10.5 in) 25°C (77°F) 211 mm (8.3 in)
Aug 29°C (85°F) 323 mm (12.7 in) 26°C (79°F) 162 mm (6.4 in)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 295 mm (11.6 in) 22°C (72°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Oct 28°C (83°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 17°C (62°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 10°C (49°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Dec 24°C (74°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 3°C (37°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)