Which place is cheaper, Sado 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 Sado?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Sado, 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 Sado?
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.
Sado
Sado Island, Japan is located just off the coast of Niigata and is an old gold mining town that has since developed into a quiet summer holiday destination. The island is home to two mountain ranges, O-Sado in the north and Ko-sado in the south, with the popular Kuninaka plain in between the mountain ranges. With the remoteness of the island, it has become a popular destination for tourists to experience old Japan and get away from the busy mainland.
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 Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.
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Vientiane Prices
Laos PricesSado Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $24Sado $82
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $24, while the average daily cost in Sado is $82. 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 Sado in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $8.45Sado $31
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $17Sado $62
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Sado
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Sado? 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 Sado Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.01Sado $14
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Sado?
Prices for flights to both Sado 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 $12Sado $42
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.80Sado $8.74
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 Sado
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sado are as follows:
- Sado Island Highlights: 3-Hour Bike Tour: $84
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.12Sado $69
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Sado, we can see that Sado 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 Sado would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sado 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 Sado Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Vientiane or Sado?
Sado 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 Sado in the Summer?
Both Sado 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, most visitors come to Sado for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Vientiane is a little warmer than Sado in the summer. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 30°C (85°F) in July, and Sado fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
Vientiane usually receives less sunshine than Sado during summer. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Sado receives 198 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sado. It's quite rainy in Vientiane. In July, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Sado. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Sado receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Sado 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Sado in the Autumn?
Both Sado 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. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Sado because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Vientiane is much warmer than Sado. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vientiane in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Sado averages at about 16°C (60°F).
It's quite sunny in Vientiane. In the autumn, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Sado. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sado receives 155 hours of full sun.
Sado gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vientiane usually gets less rain in October than Sado. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Sado receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Sado 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Sado in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Sado. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sado this time of year.
It's quite cold in Sado in the winter. In January, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Sado. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 24°C (75°F), and Sado fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Sado during winter. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Sado receives 65 hours of full sun in the winter.
Sado receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Sado. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Sado receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Sado 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Sado in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Sado. 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 Sado in the spring. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and Sado fluctuates around 10°C (51°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 Sado. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sado receives 194 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Sado. Vientiane usually gets less rain in April than Sado. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Sado receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Sado 10°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Sado and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Sado | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 162 mm (6.4 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.