Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or Vientiane?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Vientiane or Vancouver?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Vancouver, 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 Vancouver?
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.
Vancouver
Vancouver is a beautiful and cosmopolitan city in Western Canada. It is also the largest city in British Columbia, and is dramatically positioned between the coast and mountains. It's a very international city, with a high level of energy and countless activites that you can enjoy while you're in town. In addition to offering all of the activities and entertainment of a modern city, it is also in jumping off distance to any number of outdoor activities.
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 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $15Vancouver $142
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $15, while the average daily cost in Vancouver is $142. 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 Vancouver in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $6.00Vancouver $87
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $12Vancouver $174
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Vancouver
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Vancouver? 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 Vancouver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.08Vancouver $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$4.23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $29
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Vientiane Airport Transfer: Wattay airport to hotel - Private transfer: $15
- Vientiane Private Airport and Hotel Transfers: $9.00
- Private Transfer in Laos: $5.00
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vancouver
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vancouver are as follows:
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SkyTrain from Airport$6.40
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Taxi from Airport to Downtown$21
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15 min Taxi Ride$8.78
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SkyTrain DayPass$6.58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vancouver
Also for Vancouver, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer to Vancouver Airport (YVR): $32
- Vancouver Airport-Cypress/Grouse Mountain Private Transfer: $38
- Vancouver Airport (YVR) to White Rock - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
- White Rock to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Canada Place Port to Vancouver Airport(YVR) - Departure Transfer : $55
- Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Canada Place Port - Arrival Transfer: $55
- City Highlights Tour with Hotel Transfers: $61
- Vancouver to Victoria: Ferry with Bus Transfer: $73
- Vancouver to Victoria, Coach Bus Transfer: $74
- Private Transfer from Canada Place Cruise Terminal to any Hotel: $74
- Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Whistler - Arrival Private Transfer: $76
- Vancouver to Victoria - Vancouver Hotel Pickup - Coach Bus Transfer: $83
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Vancouver?
Prices for flights to both Vancouver 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 $6.30Vancouver $31
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 Vancouver
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Vancouver:
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All You Can Eat Sushi Lunch$8.87
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vancouver
For Vancouver, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- A Wok Around Food Tour of the Granville Island Public Market: $84
- The Gastown Experience Walking Food Tour: $94
- Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour: $100
- Vancouver Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $100
- North Vancouver Shipyards Food Tour: $108
- Vancouver Authentic Chinese Food Tour: $134
- VIP Granville Island Market Vancouver - Walking Food Tour: $138
- Authentic Asian Eats Walking Food Tour: $142
- 3-Hour Bowen Island Boat Cruise with Dinner: $153
- Evening Cruise with Dinner Buffet: $153
- Vancouver Evening Dinner Cruise: $157
- Granville Island Uncorked Walking Food Tour: $161
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.53Vancouver $36
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: $61
- 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 Vancouver
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vancouver.
- Vancouver self-guided tour App - multilingual AudioGuide: $4.31
- Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour of Gastown: $4.75
- Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour of Gastown: $4.82
- Discover Stanley Park with a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
- Fort Langley: a Film & Television Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.19
- Discover Stanley Park with a Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.19
- Cycling the Seawall: A Self-Guided Audio Tour Along the Stanley Park Seawall: $5.46
- Historic Walking Tours of Vancouver with Then & Now Images!: $6.68
- Walking Tour Along Stanley Park's Seawall: $6.68
- Vancouver Downtown: Espionage Adventure Outdoor Escape Game: $6.99
- Self-Guided Smartphone Tour of Stanley Park: $7.31
- Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tours of Stanley Park: $7.42
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.34Vancouver $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Vancouver
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Vancouver:
- Vancouver - Granville Pub Crawl ROUTE B: $18
- Gastown Pub Crawl: $22
- Vancouver - Granville Pub Crawl: $26
- 3.5-Hour Craft Brewery Tour: $88
- Fraser Valley Wine Tour with a light Lunch from Vancouver: $134
- Vancouver Wine Tour (Fraser Valley): $134
- From Half-Day Fraser Valley Wine Tour: $138
- From Fraser Valley Wine Tour with Local Tastings: $139
- Taste of the Valley Wine Tour: $148
- Stawamus Chief Hike and Local Brewery Tasting: $165
- Fraser Valley & White Rock Premium Public Wine Tour: $166
- Stawamus Chief Hike & Local Brewery Tasting : $167
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Vancouver, we can see that Vancouver 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 Vancouver 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 Vancouver would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vancouver 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 Vancouver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Vancouver?
Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Vancouver, 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 Vancouver?
Vancouver 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 Vancouver in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Vancouver. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Vientiane is much warmer than Vancouver in the summer. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 30°C (85°F) in July, and Vancouver fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. In the summer, Vientiane often gets less sunshine than Vancouver. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun.
Vientiane receives a lot of rain in the summer. Vientiane usually gets more rain in July than Vancouver. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Vancouver 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Vancouver in the Autumn?
Both Vancouver 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 much warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vientiane in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Vancouver averages at about 11°C (51°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during autumn. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. In October, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Vancouver 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Vancouver in the Winter?
Both Vancouver 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.
The weather in Vancouver can be very cold. In January, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 24°C (75°F), and Vancouver fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
It's quite sunny in Vientiane. In the winter, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun.
Vancouver gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vientiane usually gets less rain in January than Vancouver. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Vancouver 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Vancouver in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Vancouver. 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 Vancouver in the spring. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and Vancouver fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during spring. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Vancouver 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Vancouver and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Vancouver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 198 mm (7.8 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.