Which place is cheaper, Vienna or Vientiane?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Vientiane or Vienna?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Vienna, 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 Vienna?
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.
Vienna
Vienna is the largest city and capital of Austria. It has a population of over 1.7 million and is a cultural, political and economic center for the country. The historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and some complain that it feels more like a museum than a real city. Outside of the historical center though, is a young and vibrant city with a huge music scene, many street performers, and eclectic and fun restaurants and nightclubs.
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 2-Week Tours in Austria, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $15Vienna $162
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $15, while the average daily cost in Vienna is $162. 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 Vienna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $6.00Vienna $100
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $12Vienna $200
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Vienna
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane or Vienna? 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 Vienna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.08Vienna $20
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
- 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
- Private Transfer in Laos: $5.00
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vienna
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Vienna:
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Bus to Airport$32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vienna
Also for Vienna, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bratislava: Bus Transfer to/from Vienna: $9.58
- Bratislava: Bus Transfer to/from Vienna Airport: $12
- CAT Transfer: Vienna Airport – Wien Mitte: $16
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Viena Airport(VIE)-Viena City : $35
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Viena City - Viena Airport (VIE): $35
- Private Transfer from Vienna Airport (VIE) to Vienna City Center: $44
- Private One Way Transfer from Vienna Hotels to Vienna Airport: $44
- Private One-way Transfer Vienna Airport To Vienna: $44
- Vienna International Airport (VIE) to Vienna Downtown - Arrival Private Transfer: $45
- Private Transfer from Vienna Airport to Hotel in Vienna: $49
- Transfer in Private Minivan Viena Airport (VIE)-Viena City : $50
- Departure Private Transfer: Vienna City to Vienna Airport VIE by Business Car: $54
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Vienna?
Prices for flights to both Vienna 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 $6.30Vienna $36
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vienna
For Vienna, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $28
- Hard Rock Cafe Vienna with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $29
- 1 Hour Tradtional Kaiserschmarrn Cooking Class & Tasting in Wien: $41
- Performance Of The Lipizzans At Spanish Riding School: $44
- Naschmarkt Food Tour: $64
- Traditional Vienna Tasting Dinner With Folk Music: $69
- Vienna Evening Sightseeing Cruise With Music and Dinner: $74
- Naschmarkt Guided Food Tour: $74
- 3-Course Evening Dinner Cruise: $76
- Traditional Dinner Show at the Wiener Rathauskeller: $85
- Kursalon New Year's Day Concert with optional Dinner: $87
- Schnitzel cooking class with Nicole: $98
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.53Vienna $41
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 Vienna
For Vienna, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Escape Game and Tour: $3.23
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $4.84
- City Tour with Audio Guide: $5.38
- Self-guided Walking Tour of the Vienna City: $5.46
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.45
- Cultural Heart of the City Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Vienna Cultural Heritage: Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio: $7.27
- Top of Vienna in One Day: An English Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.95
- Vienna Emperor Route: Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $8.07
- Vienna Historic Center: Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $8.07
- MAK - Geymüllerschlössel Entry Ticket: $8.07
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.34Vienna $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Vienna
Also in Vienna, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Vienna: $16
- Vienna Nights Pub Crawl: $16
- City Center Pub Crawl: $27
- Wine Tasting at Traditional Cellar: $34
- Guided Wine Tasting in a Private Wine Cellar: $39
- Viennese Wine Tasting in a Private Hidden Wine Cellar: $39
- Wine Tasting at Schönbrunn Palace: $48
- Austrian Wine Tasting Experience: $64
- Vienna Historical Highlight City Tour + Wine Tasting: $74
- Skip-the-Line Schönbrunn Palace Entry & Wine Tasting: $83
- Wine Tasting E-Bike Tour: $91
- Romantic Old Vienna City Walk and Wine Tasting: $96
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Vienna, we can see that Vienna 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 Vienna 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 Vienna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vienna 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 Vienna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Vienna?
Vienna has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane and Vienna, 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 Vienna?
Vienna 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 Vienna in the Summer?
Both Vienna and Vientiane during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Vienna this time of year.
In the summer, Vientiane is a little warmer than Vienna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vientiane in July average around 30°C (85°F), and Vienna averages at about 23°C (73°F).
In Vienna, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Vientiane often gets less sunshine than Vienna. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vienna receives 255 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually gets more rain in July than Vienna. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Vienna 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Vienna in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Vienna. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Also, many travelers come to Vienna for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Vientiane is generally much warmer than Vienna. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 28°C (83°F), and Vienna fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Vienna during autumn. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Vienna receives 140 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Vienna. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Vienna 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Vienna in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Vienna. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Vienna in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Vienna can get quite cold in the winter. Vientiane is much warmer than Vienna in the winter. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Vienna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane this time of the year. In the winter, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Vienna. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vienna receives 65 hours of full sun.
Vientiane usually gets less rain in January than Vienna. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Vienna 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Vienna in the Spring?
Both Vienna and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Vienna for the natural beauty during these months.
The heat can be very extreme in Vientiane. In the spring, Vientiane is much warmer than Vienna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vientiane in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Vienna averages at about 13°C (55°F).
It's quite sunny in Vienna. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Vienna during spring. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Vienna receives 202 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Vienna. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Vienna 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Vienna and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Vienna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 43 mm (1.7 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.