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

Should you visit Vientiane or Setubal?

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

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

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.

Setubal

Setubal is a busy working port and major commercial fishing center. Setubal is a city that has always had a close connection to the seas, and this is celebrated along the newly rejuvenated waterfront, which encompasses the colorful fishing harbor, the popular urban park and the Troia Peninsula ferry terminal. Within the charming historic center is a maze of narrow alleys, hidden plazas, and family-owned shops, along with Portugal's largest fish market. Setubal is primarily an industrial city, but is situated in a region of immense beauty; to the east is the stunning Serra da Arrabida, to the north is historic Palmela, while to the south are the paradise beaches of the Troia Peninsula. Setubal may not be a conventional holiday destination, but there is a surprising amount to see and do within the city and the surrounding region.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Setubal or Vientiane?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $24, while the average daily cost in Setubal is $175. 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 Setubal in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Vientiane $8.45
    Setubal $69
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Vientiane $17
    Setubal $138
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Setubal

Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Setubal? 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 Setubal


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 Setubal Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Vientiane $2.01
    Setubal $64
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane

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


  • Tuk Tuk Ride
    $4.15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:

  • Vientiane - Hanoi Sleeping Bus Transfer : $63
  • Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $20
  • Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
  • Vientiane Private Transfer: Wattay Airport -Hotel-Railway Station: $9.90

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Setubal

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

  • Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach Taxi Boat Transfer Round Trip: $24
  • Boat Transfer to Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach with Return: $24
  • Setúbal: Ilha Deserta Boat Transfer with Free Time: $29
  • Transfer Sesimbra to Lisbon Airport: $102
  • Transfers (Lisbon - Évora) / (Évora - Lisbon): $286

Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Setubal?

Prices for flights to both Setubal 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 $12
    Setubal $70

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Setubal

For Setubal, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Lisbon Guided Tour with Live Fado Show and Traditional Dinner : $205

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Vientiane $3.80
    Setubal $15

Tours and Activities in Vientiane

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

  • Vientiane Cultural Tour with Private Guide: $110
  • 1-Day Tour to Vang Vieng with Private Guide: $200
  • 1-Day Vientiane City Adventure: Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $110
  • From Plain of Jars Tour & Homestay: $1,650
  • From Vang Vieng 2-Day Tour with Blue Lagoon: $443
  • From Vang Vieng Tour with Cave Kayak & Zipline: $113
  • Guided Vientiane City and Buddha Park Full-Day Tour: $99
  • Half Day Private Tour in City Highlights: $120
  • Half-Day Vientiane City Bike Tour: $90
  • Lao Arts Museum & City Highlights Tour with Lunch: $122
  • Laos Railway Tickets Easily: Avoid Long Queues & Wasted Time: $30
  • Laos Railway Tickets Online: Skip Long Queues, Avoid Missing: $30

Tours and Activities in Setubal

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Setubal.

  • Evora from Celts to Romans: Exploration Game and Tour: $7.17
  • Secrets of Setúbal: Exploration Game and Tour: $7.17
  • Explore the Highlights of Evora: Self-Guided GPS and Audio Tour: $8.32
  • Wines tour and tasting with history in Atalaia: $18
  • Underwater viewing tours along the coast of Sesimbra: $30
  • Évora or Montemor-o-Novo: Guided Tour to Escoural Caves: $30
  • Gatsby Experience: The Bartender Challenge: $30
  • Kayaking experience on DE beaches DA Arrábida: $36
  • Sesimbra Walking Tour: $42
  • Sesimbra : Guided Kayak Tour in Arrábida Natural Park & Caves : $42
  • Half-Day Kayak Tour in Sesimbra: $42
  • Boat Tour - Arrábida Coves: $42

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Vientiane $2.12
    Setubal $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Setubal

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Setubal:

  • Workshop - Wine Tasting 101: $72
  • Sesimbra: Half-Day Tour to Arrabida with Wine Tasting: $143
  • Half Day Wine Tour Around Evora: $156
  • Lisbon Getaway: Private Arrabida Wine Tour with Cheese Tasting: $213


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


Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Setubal?

Vientiane has a larger population, and is about 68% larger than the population of Setubal. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Setubal, 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 Setubal?

Setubal 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 Setubal in the Summer?

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

Vientiane is a little warmer than Setubal in the summer. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 30°C (85°F) in July, and Setubal fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Setubal. In the summer, Vientiane often gets less sunshine than Setubal. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Setubal receives 352 hours of full sun.

Vientiane receives a lot of rain in the summer. Vientiane usually gets more rain in July than Setubal. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Setubal receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Vientiane 30°C (85°F) 
    Setubal 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Vientiane or Setubal in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Vientiane is a little warmer than Setubal. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vientiane in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Setubal averages at about 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Setubal. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Setubal during autumn. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Setubal receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Setubal. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Setubal receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Vientiane 28°C (83°F) 
    Setubal 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Vientiane or Setubal in the Winter?

Both Setubal and Vientiane during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Setubal. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 24°C (75°F), and Setubal fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

It's quite sunny in Vientiane. In the winter, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Setubal. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Setubal receives 144 hours of full sun.

Setubal gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vientiane usually gets less rain in January than Setubal. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Setubal receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Vientiane 24°C (75°F) 
    Setubal 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Vientiane or Setubal in the Spring?

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

It's very hot in Vientiane this time of the year. Vientiane is much warmer than Setubal in the spring. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and Setubal fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Setubal 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 Setubal during spring. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Setubal receives 235 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Setubal. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Setubal receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Vientiane 31°C (88°F) 
    Setubal 16°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Setubal and Vientiane

Vientiane Setubal
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 29°C (85°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 31°C (88°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
May 30°C (87°F) 255 mm (10 in) 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 30°C (86°F) 273 mm (10.7 in) 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 30°C (85°F) 266 mm (10.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Aug 29°C (85°F) 323 mm (12.7 in) 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 295 mm (11.6 in) 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Oct 28°C (83°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Dec 24°C (74°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)