Which place is cheaper, Luang Prabang or Beirut?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Beirut or Luang Prabang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Beirut and Luang Prabang. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Beirut or Luang Prabang?
Beirut
Some travelers are seeking the hustle, bustle and posh atmosphere that only comes from a big city. Those travelers should have Beirut, Lebanon at the top of their list. The capital city is jam packed with 2.1 million people that are constantly on the go. As the commercial and financial hub of Lebanon, this city is fast-paced, fashion conscious and always ready for a night on the town.
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 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 dayBeirut $2.26Luang Prabang $14
The average daily cost (per person) in Beirut is $2.26, 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 Beirut and Luang Prabang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBeirut $1.26Luang Prabang $5.72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBeirut $2.52Luang Prabang $11
Compare Hotels in Beirut and Luang Prabang
Looking for a hotel in Beirut 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: Beirut Hotel Prices and Luang Prabang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Beirut $0.44Luang Prabang $2.11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beirut
Also for Beirut, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Hiking Day Trip to Chouwen Lake with Hotel Transfers: $86
- Private Transfer from Beirut to Rafic Hariri (BEY) Airport: $46
- Private Transfer from Rafic Hariri (BEY) Airport to Beirut: $46
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Beirut International Airport: $18
- Private Arrival Transfer: Beirut International Airport to Hotel: $18
- Beirut Airport one Way Private Transfer to the hotel: $15
- Beirut Arrival Airport Transfer: $13
- Departure Transfer:From Hotel To Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY): $10
- BEY Airport to Hotel, Private Arrival Transfer: $10
- Airport Arrival Transfer to Your Beirut Hotel: $10
- Private Transfer from Beirut Hotels to the Beirut Airport: $10
- Beirut Arrival Airport Transfer Pickup: $9.89
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 Beirut or Luang Prabang?
Prices for flights to both Luang Prabang and Beirut 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 dayBeirut $0.71Luang Prabang $5.47
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beirut
For Beirut, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Authentic Lebanese Virtual Cooking Class Live from Lebanon: $30
- Traveling Spoon Lebanese Mezze Private Online Cooking Class : $40
- Private, Traditional Lebanese Cooking Class with a Contemporary Twist: $72
- Private Lebanese Cooking Class in Beirut with Amal and Hotel Transfers: $142
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.Beirut $0.26Luang Prabang $2.72
Tours and Activities in Beirut
For Beirut, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Hours ATV Rental Guided Tour in Nature: $130
- 3 days tour package : Jeita grotto-Byblos-Baalbek & Beirut tour: $295
- 3-Day Tour of Beirut with Pick Up: $250
- ATV (2 Seat) Full Day Off-Road Tour & Scenic Adventure: $150
- ATV (2 Seat) Half Day Off-Road Tour & Scenic Adventure: $120
- All in 1 Lebanon Local Multi day Tour, 3 days: $289
- Anjar baalback & Ksara tour: $130
- Baalback Roman temples tour: $128
- Baalbek Tour: $111
- Baalbek, Anjar and Ksara Group Tour: $95
- Baalbek, Anjar and Ksara Guided Full-Day Tour from Beirut: $90
- Baatara Gorge Waterfall, Jeita Grotto and Byblos Tour: $170
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 dayBeirut $0.23Luang Prabang $1.82
Sample the Local Flavors in Beirut
Also in Beirut, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour at Chateau Musar and Ixsir : $50
- Private Wine Tasting Day Tour from Beirut: $60
- Budget Wine Tasting Tour at the Bekaa Valley Wineries: $60
- Full-Day Private Wine Tour in Bekaa Valley with Tasting : $60
- Byblos & Chateau Musar: History and Wine Tour: $65
- From Full Day Wine Tasting in the Bekaa Valley Tour: $90
- Lebanon Wine Tasting Tour From Beirut: $91
- Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour to Chateau Musar and Ixsir Winery: $100
- Private tour to Jeita Grotto with Wine Tasting in Faqra Ruins: $110
- Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour: $150
- Wine Tasting and Culture : $150
- Wine Tasting Tour: $150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beirut and Luang Prabang, we can see that Luang Prabang is more expensive. And not only is Beirut much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beirut is in Middle East and Luang Prabang is in Asia, 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 Beirut would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beirut 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 Luang Prabang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Luang Prabang than you might in Beirut.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Beirut Expensive? and Is Luang Prabang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Beirut or Luang Prabang?
Beirut has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Luang Prabang. When comparing the sizes of Beirut 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 Beirut 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 Beirut or Luang Prabang in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Beirut and Luang Prabang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Beirut year-round. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Luang Prabang receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Beirut usually receives less rain than Luang Prabang. Beirut gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In July, Beirut is generally around the same temperature as Luang Prabang. Daily temperatures in Beirut average around 27°C (81°F), and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBeirut 27°C (81°F)Luang Prabang 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Beirut or Luang Prabang in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Beirut as well as Luang Prabang. Beirut attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luang Prabang throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Luang Prabang. Beirut usually gets less rain in October than Luang Prabang. Beirut gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 126 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.
Beirut is around the same temperature as Luang Prabang in the autumn. The daily temperature in Beirut averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBeirut 25°C (77°F)Luang Prabang 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Beirut or Luang Prabang in the Winter?
Both Luang Prabang and Beirut are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Beirut throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Luang Prabang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Beirut. In January, Beirut usually receives more rain than Luang Prabang. Beirut gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In the winter, Beirut is much colder than Luang Prabang. Typically, the winter temperatures in Beirut in January average around 13°C (55°F), and Luang Prabang averages at about 21°C (70°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBeirut 13°C (55°F)Luang Prabang 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Beirut or Luang Prabang in the Spring?
Both Luang Prabang and Beirut during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Beirut 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. Beirut usually gets less rain in April than Luang Prabang. Beirut gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In April, Beirut is generally much colder than Luang Prabang. Daily temperatures in Beirut average around 17°C (63°F), and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBeirut 17°C (63°F)Luang Prabang 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Luang Prabang and Beirut
| Beirut | Luang Prabang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 13°C (55°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 130 mm (5.1 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.