Which place is cheaper, Seattle or Vientiane?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Vientiane or Seattle?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Seattle, 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 Seattle?
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.
Seattle
Situated on the Puget Sound in the state of Washington, Seattle is the largest city in the United States Pacific Northwest. It's a beautiful city surrounded by the water and mountains and filled with evergreen trees. It's also the home of some famous American institutions including Starbucks Coffee, Amazon, and Microsoft. The population of almost 700,000 continues to grow. As of 2014, the city was considered the fastest growing major city in the United States. The entire metropolitan area has about 3.6 million residents, making it the 15th largest metro area in the US. The natural beauty, growing economy, and educational base give Seattle a youthful vibe that keep the city young and energetic.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $15Seattle $205
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $15, while the average daily cost in Seattle is $205. 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 Seattle in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $6.00Seattle $120
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $12Seattle $240
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Seattle
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Seattle? 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 Seattle Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.08Seattle $30
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:
- 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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Seattle
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Seattle:
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Lightrail from Airport (for 2)$5.50
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Roundtrip Ferry to Bainbridge Island (for 2)$15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seattle
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seattle:
- One-Way Transfer: Cruise Piers to Airport : $28
- One-Way Transfer: SeaTac Hotels to Seattle Cruise Terminals : $33
- Private Arrival Transfer In Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) : $40
- Private One-way Airport Transfer(Seattle Airport To/From Seattle): $58
- Seattle Tacoma Airport (SEA) to Seattle - Arrival Private Transfer: $71
- Smith Cove Terminal to Seattle Tacoma Airport (SEA) - Departure Private Transfer: $74
- Smith Cove Terminal to Seattle hotels - Arrival Private Transfer : $74
- Private Transfer from Seattle hotels to Smith Cove Terminal : $74
- Seattle Airport (SEA) to Smith Cove Terminal - Arrival Transfer: $74
- Smith Cove Terminal to Seattle Airport (SEA) - Departure Transfer: $74
- Smith Cove Terminal to Seattle Hotels Arrival Private Transfer : $74
- One-Way Private Transfer from Seattle Airport: $76
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Seattle?
Prices for flights to both Seattle 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 $6.30Seattle $51
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 Seattle
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seattle are as follows:
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Expresso & cookie at Pier 70$7.00
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Cashews at Pike Place Market$6.00
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6 Mini Donuts at Pike Place Market$3.25
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Chinese Lunch in International District (for 2)$21
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Breakfast at Lowel's in Pike Place Market (for 2)$32
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Breakfast at French Cafe (for 2)$37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seattle
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seattle.
- Secret Food Tours Seattle: $65
- Seattle Holiday Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $65
- Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market- 2 Hours: $67
- Eat Around the World Seattle Food Tour: $69
- International District Food Tour: $69
- Street Food Tour of South Lake Union: $75
- Secret Food Tours: Seattle Pike Place Market: $85
- Pike Place Market Food Tour: $99
- Small Group Cooking Class: $138
- Private Seattle Cooking Class with a Chef in Her Home: $198
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.53Seattle $16
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 Seattle
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seattle are as follows:
- Space Needle Park Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.49
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Seattle by Crazy Dash: $10
- Downtown Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $13
- Seattle Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Seattle Mariners Baseball Game Ticket at T Mobile Park: $15
- Seattle bakery walk tour: $19
- National Nordic Museum Entry Ticket: $20
- Smith Tower Straight Up Observatory Access Ticket: $22
- Terrors and Ghosts Guided Walking Tour: $26
- MoPOP Entry Ticket: $27
- Woodland Park Zoo Day Admission Ticket: $28
- Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour: $29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.34Seattle $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Seattle
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Seattle:
- Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $38
- Where the Hops Grow! Yakima Brewery Tour : $40
- Woodinville Wine Country: Downtown Wine Tasting Pass: $65
- Woodinville Wine Country: Artisan Hill Wine Tasting Pass: $65
- Brewery and Restaurant Tour of Historic Seattle Neighborhood: $109
- Bon Vivant Woodinville Wine Tasting Tour : $120
- From Snoqualmie Falls & Woodinville Wine Tasting: $262
- Snoqualmie Falls + Wine Tasting: All-Inclusive Small-Group Tour: $263
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Seattle, we can see that Seattle 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 Seattle 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 Seattle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seattle 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 Seattle Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Seattle?
Seattle has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Seattle, 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 Seattle?
Seattle 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 Seattle in the Summer?
Both Seattle 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, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.
In July, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Seattle. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 30°C (85°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).
It's quite sunny in Seattle. Vientiane usually receives less sunshine than Seattle during summer. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Vientiane. In July, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Seattle. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Seattle 67°F (19°C)
Should I visit Vientiane or Seattle in the Autumn?
Both Seattle 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, many travelers come to Seattle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Vientiane is much warmer than Seattle in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Seattle fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).
It's quite sunny in Vientiane. In the autumn, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Seattle. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun.
Vientiane usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Seattle. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Seattle 54°F (12°C)
Should I visit Vientiane or Seattle in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Seattle. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Seattle in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Vientiane is much warmer than Seattle. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vientiane in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Seattle averages at about 42°F (5°C).
In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during winter. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun in the winter.
Seattle receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Seattle. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Seattle 42°F (5°C)
Should I visit Vientiane or Seattle in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Seattle. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Seattle for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.
Vientiane can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Seattle. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 31°C (88°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Seattle. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane this time of the year. In the spring, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Seattle. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun.
Vientiane usually gets more rain in April than Seattle. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Seattle 51°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Seattle and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Seattle | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 42°F (5°C) | 5.4 inches (136 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 42°F (6°C) | 6 inches (152 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.