How much does it cost to travel to Luang Prabang?
You should plan to spend around $14 (₭300,181) per day on your vacation in Luang Prabang. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $5.57 (₭115,963) on meals
- $2.15 (₭44,796) on local transportation
- $12 (₭242,740) on hotels
A one week trip to Luang Prabang for two people costs, on average, $202 (₭4,202,531). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Luang Prabang has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Luang Prabang expensive to visit?
Luang Prabang is a very affordable place to visit. Located in Laos, which is a very affordable country, visitors will appreciate the lower prices of this destination. It is in the top 10% of cities in the country for its affordability. Budget travelers enjoy spending long periods of time exploring Luang Prabang in depth.
Within Asia, Luang Prabang is a very affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 10% of cities in Asia for its affordability. Very few cities in the region are as affordable as Luang Prabang.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Luang Prabang Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Luang Prabang?
The average Luang Prabang trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Luang Prabang travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
Category
|
Cost
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
₭242,740
($12)
|
Local Transportation 1
|
₭44,796
($2)
|
Food 2
|
₭115,963
($6)
|
Entertainment 1
|
₭57,768
($3)
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
₭5,614 -
16,843
($0 - 1)
|
Alcohol 2
|
₭19,294 -
57,883
($1 - 3)
|
Accommodation Budget in Luang Prabang
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Luang Prabang is $5.83 (₭121,370). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Luang Prabang is $12 (₭242,740). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Luang Prabang
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Luang Prabang is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $2.15 (₭44,796) per person, per day, on local transportation in Luang Prabang.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$2.15
₭44,796
How much does it cost to go to Luang Prabang? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Luang Prabang will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Typical prices for Transportation in Luang Prabang are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Luang Prabang, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Food Budget in Luang Prabang
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Luang Prabang can vary, the average cost of food in Luang Prabang is $5.57 (₭115,963) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Luang Prabang should cost around $2.23 (₭46,385) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Luang Prabang is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$5.57
₭115,963
Entertainment Budget in Luang Prabang
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Luang Prabang typically cost an average of $2.77 (₭57,768) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$2.77
₭57,768
Tips and Handouts Budget in Luang Prabang
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Luang Prabang is $0.54 (₭11,229) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Luang Prabang is 5% - 15%.
-
Tips and Handouts1
For guides or service providers
$0.54
₭11,229
Alcohol Budget in Luang Prabang
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $1.85 (₭38,588) on alcoholic beverages in Luang Prabang per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$1.85
₭38,588
Water Budget in Luang Prabang
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $0.46 (₭9,579) on bottled water in Luang Prabang per day. The public water in Luang Prabang is not usually considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$0.46
₭9,579
Luang Prabang On a Budget
Luang Prabang, Laos
Southeast Asia is a region full of mystical wonders and cultural charm, but nowhere is as charming as the city of Luang Prabang. As the former capital of Laos, Luang Prabang was reopened to tourism in 1989. With that move the city experienced an upswing in revenue and was able to restore and rebuild the beautiful colonial mansions to serve as guesthouses and hotels for the new swarm of tourists.
Even though Luang Prabang is a small city it has a huge personality - be prepared to be swept up by its charm and shocked by its cleanliness. Nestled at the intersection of two rivers and just beneath a sparkling temple on a hill, it's easy to see how this vibrant city became an UNESCO World Heritage city.
Sights
A simple stroll down the street could be all you need to see the many sights offered in Luang Prabang. With temples and shops lining everywhere you look just meandering the streets is sure to have you reaching for your camera.
The most famous monastery in the city is Wat Xieng Thong. It's definitely worth the trip for a chance to witness awe-inspiring Buddhist traditions and a taste of classic Laos design.
But if you only have the time for one temple in Luang Prabang, you have to make it the What Chomsi. Sitting atop Mount Phousi - a 100m tall hill above the city - the view is indescribable. Head up the 300 (yes, 300) stairs for a sunset one night and watch the city light up below.
If you're dying to dive into local culture head first, you'll want to proceed to the Haw Kham. This former royal palace turned national museum offers everything you need to know about the local culture, history and traditions. Be sure to check for drama or dance performances in the adjacent theater.
For a healthy dose of Mother Nature, visit the Kuang Si waterfalls. While you're taking in the sights of the majestic waterfalls, have a stroll around the Kuang Si Butterfly Park. This area has always attracted swarms of butterflies. So walk through, be still and maybe a lovely little butterfly will land on your shoulder.
Activities
Why just watch all the fun when you get right in on the action? Many hotels offer services that allow tourists to get involved with local artisans and take part in activities like silk weaving, wood carving, paper stenciling, playing traditional musical instruments, cooking classes or you can eve make your own knife and crossbow.
These calming activities are not always enough for some adventurous spirits. If you just can't resist the chance to explore hidden treasures, check out the Pak Ou caves.
If you're the "go big, or go home" type, you might enjoy a day washing, riding and learning to train an elephant at The Elephant Village.
If biking, hiking or kayaking are more your thing, there are plenty of vendors to accommodate in Luang Prabang. Green Discovery Loas and Action Max Laos can set you up with the perfect ride and start you off on your next adventure.
You can also teach English in Luang Prabang at the Big Brother Little Mouse school. More information about that can be
found here.
Food and Dining
Many of the dishes in Luang Prabang are very reminiscent of their former French control. You can easily find French baguettes and pastries all over the city.
If that's not your style however, Sisavangvong Road covers every type of food for every type of price. Stroll along this section of town to find just the dish you're looking for.
Traditional dishes to cross off your bucket list include the Lao version of fried spring roll, local watercress, dried seaweed with sesame seeds dipped in chili sauce, buffalo steaks and sausage or Luang Prabang Khao Soi – spicy clear mince and noodle soup.
Transportation
Your safest bet on getting around Luang Prabang is to have it set up through your hotel. Recently, there have been multiple documented scams of tourists. Some vendors have reportedly been renting scooters to tourists and then "stealing" them when they're in the city. A word of warning: never leave your passport with a vendor as a deposit. In fact, when traveling abroad, never give your passport to anyone outside your travel party.
The roads are crowded and a little rugged, but not impossible to walk or bike through. The influx of tourists have made the sidewalks a tad crowded, but again, not tough to navigate.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.