Which place is cheaper, Tromso 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 Tromso?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Tromso, 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 Tromso?
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.
Tromso
The city of Tromso, in northern Norway, is named after the island of Tromsoya, on which it stands. Tromso is located 350 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle and is the largest city in Northern Norway. From September to March many people come to Tromso to see the northern lights. From 20 May to 20 July the midnight sun makes it possible to do as the locals and participate in various activities around the clock. In general, Tromso has a mild climate for such a northerly destination because of its seaside location and the warming effect of the Gulf stream. The area has a modern mix of outdoor activities, a vibrant nightlife, and places to eat local food.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Norway, and The Best Adventure Tours to Norway.
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Vientiane Prices
Laos PricesTromso Prices
Norway Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $23Tromso $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $23, while the average daily cost in Tromso is $89. 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 Tromso in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $8.34Tromso $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $17Tromso $70
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Tromso
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Tromso? 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 Tromso Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $1.98Tromso $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$4.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:
- 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 Tromso
Also for Tromso, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Tromso Airport TOS to Tromso City: $82
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Tromso?
Prices for flights to both Tromso 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 $12Tromso $46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vientiane
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vientiane.
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour and Lunch: $70
- Vientiane classic Food tour ( Included Food ): $78
- Night Market, Dinner, and Nightclub: $90
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour: $122
- Cooking Class Garden House: $335
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tromso
For Tromso, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Night Reindeer Sledding with Camp Dinner and Chance of Northern Lights: $226
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.76Tromso $7.08
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- 1-Day Tour to Vang Vieng with Private Guide: $200
- 1-Day Vientiane City Adventure: Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $110
- Exclusive Vientiane Day Tour Featuring Buddha Park: $199
- Explore Vientiane with Lao Art Museum Tour: $61
- 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 | Laos: $90
- Lao Arts Museum & City Highlights Tour with Lunch: $122
- Laos Railway Tickets Easily: Avoid Long Queues & Wasted Time: $8.50
Tours and Activities in Tromso
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tromso.
- Discover Tromsø: A Self-Guided Tour: $3.53
- A Tromsø Introduction: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Evening tour: Sledding, mini skiing, lasso and reindeer hides: $76
- 1 Hour Photo & History Cruise: $96
- Wilderness Daytime Experience at Camp Tamok: $103
- Guided Tromsdalen Snowshoe Adventure Starts Here: $108
- Tromsø: Exclusive Fjord Adventure by Bus: $119
- Express Fjord Road trip with Cruise Ship Pick up and Drop off: $124
- Tromsø Sledding and Campfire Winter Experience: $129
- Tromsø Cross-Country Ski Adventure: $129
- Tromsø: Summer Evening Cruise with Activities: $130
- Small-Group Norwegian Fjords Tour from Tromso with Photos: $132
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.09Tromso $5.88
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Tromso, we can see that Tromso 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 Tromso 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 Tromso would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tromso 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 Tromso Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Tromso?
Vientiane has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Tromso. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Tromso, 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 Tromso?
Tromso 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 Tromso in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Tromso. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Tromso for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Tromso. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 30°C (85°F), and Tromso fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tromso. In the summer, Vientiane often gets less sunshine than Tromso. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tromso receives 205 hours of full sun.
Vientiane receives a lot of rain in the summer. Vientiane usually gets more rain in July than Tromso. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Tromso 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Tromso in the Autumn?
Both Tromso and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Tromso in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
Tromso can get quite cold in the autumn. Vientiane is much warmer than Tromso in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Tromso fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Tromso during autumn. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Tromso receives 49 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tromso. In October, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Tromso. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Tromso 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Tromso in the Winter?
Both Tromso 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. Also, most visitors come to Tromso for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.
Tromso can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Vientiane is much warmer than Tromso. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vientiane in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Tromso averages at about -4°C (25°F).
It's quite sunny in Vientiane. In the winter, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Tromso. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tromso receives 3 hours of full sun.
Vientiane usually gets less rain in January than Tromso. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Tromso -4°C (25°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Tromso in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Tromso. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Tromso because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.
The weather in Tromso can be very cold. Vientiane can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Tromso. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 31°C (88°F), and Tromso fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).
In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Tromso during spring. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Tromso receives 160 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Tromso. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Tromso 1°C (33°F)
Typical Weather for Tromso and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Tromso | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | -4°C (25°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | -4°C (25°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 104 mm (4.1 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.