Which place is cheaper, Luang Prabang or Ao Nang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ao Nang or Luang Prabang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ao Nang or Luang Prabang? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Ao Nang or Luang Prabang?
Ao Nang
If you're looking for a relaxing beach on the coast of Thailand, it might be time to make a trip to Ao Nang. This developed and "westernized" beach was once the place to be for backpackers, but is now quite popular with package tourist crowds, too, as prices have risen in recent decades. Here you'll find nice hotels, restaurants, and plenty of fun activities at the beach and nearby, too.
Luang Prabang
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, and The Best Adventure Tours to Laos.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAo Nang $107Luang Prabang $14
The average daily cost (per person) in Ao Nang is $107, while the average daily cost in Luang Prabang is $14. 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 Ao Nang and Luang Prabang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAo Nang $52Luang Prabang $5.72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAo Nang $104Luang Prabang $11
Compare Hotels in Ao Nang and Luang Prabang
Looking for a hotel in Ao Nang or Luang Prabang? 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: Luang Prabang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ao Nang $56Luang Prabang $2.11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ao Nang
Also for Ao Nang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private SUV-Transfer: One-way Krabi to Phuket: $105
- Phuket: Speedboat Transfer to Ao Nang or Railay via Ko Yao: $41
- Krabi:Speedboat Transfer to Phi Phi Islands: $41
- Aonang : Ferry Transfer from Aonang to Phuket: $31
- Aonang : Ferry Transfer from Aonang to Ko Lanta: $23
- Krabi Airport Private One-Way SUV Transfer: $22
- Private SUV-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Bus Statation: $22
- Private SUV-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Downtown, Krabi: $22
- Private Eco-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Downtown, Krabi: $18
- Private Eco-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Bus Station, Krabi: $18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luang Prabang
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Luang Prabang are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$2.36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luang Prabang
Also for Luang Prabang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Tortola island to Tortola Cruise Port: $81
- Luang Prabang Private Airport transfers: $9.00
- LPQ Airport: Private Transfer to/from Luang Prabang City: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Ao Nang or Luang Prabang?
Prices for flights to both Luang Prabang and Ao Nang 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 dayAo Nang $24Luang Prabang $5.47
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ao Nang
For Ao Nang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Krabi: Ya's Cookery Late Afternoon Thai Cooking Class: $39
- Krabi : Authentic Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour: $40
- Krabi: Morning/Afternoon Thai Cooking Class at Ya's Cookery: $46
- Half Day Thai Cooking Class in Ao Nang, Krabi: $50
- Krabi 7 Island Sunset by Luxury Vintage Boat With BBQ Dinner: $127
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Luang Prabang
For Luang Prabang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bamboo Weaving Workshop & Cooking Class: $44
- Day-time Bamboo weaving & Cooking Classes join-in: $44
- Evening Bamboo weaving & Cooking classes join-in: $47
- Mekong Sunset Cruise and Hot Pot Dinner: $50
- Luang Prabang Mekong Sunset Cruise and Hot Pot Dinner: $51
- Evening Cooking Class & Local Baci Ceremony: $51
- Laos Cooking Class in Luang Prabang: $55
- Cooking Class: $55
- Luang Prabang Evening food tour by Tuktuk: $56
- Luang Prabang Evening Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $57
- Luang Prabang Evening Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk : $58
- Full Day bamboo experience with cooking class & Kuang si waterfalls: $59
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ao Nang $11Luang Prabang $2.72
Tours and Activities in Ao Nang
For Ao Nang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- ATV adventure 1hour drive: $43
- ATV adventure 30 mins drive: $27
- ATV adventure and achery (1้hour ): $35
- ATV adventure and shooting range: $57
- Kayak Tour in Krabi Mangrove Forest with Lunch: $27
- From Hong Islands Day Tour by Boat with Lunch: $32
- From Phi Phi Islands Day Tour by Boat with Lunch: $46
- From Private Gondola Cruise with Lunch and Picnic: $59
- From Krabi: James Bond Island One-Day Tour by Speedboat: $123
- Half-Day Krabi Four Islands Tour with Amazing long-tail Boat: $88
- James Bond Island: Sightseeing Tour by Longtail Boat & Kayak: $42
- Kayaking klongroot and atv adventure: $32
Tours and Activities in Luang Prabang
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.
- 1 DAY Mekong Cruise to Pak Ou Caves. Kuang Si Waterfalls . Local Villages: $48
- Bike to Kuangsi Waterfall and Cruise the Mekong River Back - Luang Prabang 1 day: $170
- Biking & Kayaking through Nam Khan River Valley - Luang Prabang full day tour: $73
- Dine and Cruise on Mekong River: $66
- Elephant keeper experience option waterfall day tour: $115
- From Guided Mountain Bike Tour with Lunch: $42
- Full Day Kuang Si Warerfalls & Rice Farming Experience in Living Land: $95
- Full Day Private Tour in Luang Prabang: $164
- Full day / Half Day Kayaking and Pak Ou Caves with optional sunset cruise: $41
- Full-Day Luang Prabang Highlights Tour Including Kuangsi Waterfall: $85
- Full-Day Private Guided Pak Ou Caves & Ethnic Village Tour: $159
- Full-Day Private Tour in Luang Prabang with Vintage Jeep: $170
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAo Nang $15Luang Prabang $1.82
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ao Nang and Luang Prabang, we can see that Ao Nang is more expensive. And not only is Luang Prabang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Luang Prabang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Luang Prabang 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 Ao Nang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ao Nang than you might in Luang Prabang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ao Nang Expensive? and Is Luang Prabang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ao Nang or Luang Prabang?
Luang Prabang has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Ao Nang. When comparing the sizes of Ao Nang and Luang Prabang, 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 Ao Nang or Luang Prabang?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Ao Nang or Luang Prabang in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ao Nang and Luang Prabang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ao Nang year-round. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Also, August to October is the rainy season in Ao Nang. Luang Prabang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ao Nang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Ao Nang usually receives more rain than Luang Prabang. Ao Nang gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In the summer, Ao Nang is around the same temperature as Luang Prabang. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ao Nang in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Luang Prabang averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAo Nang 28°C (82°F)Luang Prabang 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Ao Nang or Luang Prabang in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Ao Nang as well as Luang Prabang. Ao Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luang Prabang throughout the year.
Also, December to March in Ao Nang is the dry season. August to October in Ao Nang is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Luang Prabang. Ao Nang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Ao Nang usually gets more rain in October than Luang Prabang. Ao Nang gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 126 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Ao Nang is generally around the same temperature as Luang Prabang. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 27°C (81°F), and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAo Nang 27°C (81°F)Luang Prabang 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Ao Nang or Luang Prabang in the Winter?
Both Luang Prabang and Ao Nang are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ao Nang throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Luang Prabang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Ao Nang is December to March. In January, Ao Nang usually receives more rain than Luang Prabang. Ao Nang gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Ao Nang is a little warmer than Luang Prabang in the winter. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAo Nang 28°C (82°F)Luang Prabang 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Ao Nang or Luang Prabang in the Spring?
Both Luang Prabang and Ao Nang during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ao Nang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round.
Luang Prabang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Ao Nang. Ao Nang usually gets more rain in April than Luang Prabang. Ao Nang gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the spring, Ao Nang is around the same temperature as Luang Prabang. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ao Nang in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Luang Prabang averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAo Nang 29°C (84°F)Luang Prabang 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Luang Prabang and Ao Nang
| Ao Nang | Luang Prabang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.