Which place is cheaper, Luang Prabang or Chiang Rai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Chiang Rai or Luang Prabang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chiang Rai or Luang Prabang, 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: Chiang Rai or Luang Prabang?
Chiang Rai
If you find yourself dreaming of a vacation in Northern Thailand, consider the metropolitan city of Chiang Rai. This centrally located capital of the Chiang Rai province provides an excellent home base for exploring the surrounding areas. While it serves well as a home base, it has its own charms worth wandering.
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 Yoga Tours and Retreats in Thailand, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Laos, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Rai $42Luang Prabang $14
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Rai is $42, 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 Chiang Rai and Luang Prabang in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Rai $19Luang Prabang $5.49
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Rai $38Luang Prabang $11
Compare Hotels in Chiang Rai and Luang Prabang
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Rai 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: Chiang Rai Hotel Prices and Luang Prabang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Rai $3.46Luang Prabang $2.03
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chiang Rai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Chiang Rai:
-
Bus to White Temple$1.19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Rai
Also for Chiang Rai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Chiang Rai:Private Transfer to Chiang Mai with Temples Visit: $246
- Chiang Khong Border Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Mai: $176
- Private Transfer From Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai: $164
- SUV Private car Chiang Mai transfer to/from Chiang Rai: $164
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Saen Border: $155
- Chiang Mai Hotel to/from Chiang Rai Hotel: Private Transfer: $133
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Rai: $131
- Chiang Rai Airport: Transfer To Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai: $85
- Chiang Rai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Saen Border: $69
- Chiang Rai Airports: Transfer Chiang Kong, Golden Triangel, and More: $54
- From Chiang Rai:Transfer to Laos Immigration: $28
- Private Airport Transfer in Chiang Rai: $24
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luang Prabang
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Luang Prabang are as follows:
-
Tuk Tuk Ride$2.26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luang Prabang
Also for Luang Prabang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Luang Prabang Private Airport transfers: $9.00
- LPQ Airport: Private Transfer to/from Luang Prabang City: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Rai or Luang Prabang?
Prices for flights to both Luang Prabang and Chiang Rai 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
-
Food Meals for one dayChiang Rai $13Luang Prabang $5.24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chiang Rai
For Chiang Rai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Authentic Private Thai Cooking Class in Chiang Rai: $37
- Chiang Mai: Traditional Thai-Akha Cooking Class& Market Tour: $43
- 1 Day Trekking Group Tour With Bamboo Cooking / Chiang Rai: $52
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class with organic ingredients: $55
- Private Local Food Cooking Class in Chiang Rai: $59
- Full Day Trekking & bamboo cooking Tour in Chiang Rai: $61
- 1 day trek only walk and bamboo cooking.: $66
- Jungle Adventure-Group Trekking & Bamboo Cooking: $69
- Chiang Rai Private Cooking Class - Cooking With Ann: $78
- Chiang Rai by Night with Show, Dinner and Trishaw Ride: $90
- Chiang Rai City Tour with Dinner and Show: $95
- Chiang Rai by Night: Incredible Temples, Market and Northern Dinner: $141
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:
- Day-time Bamboo weaving & Cooking Classes join-in: $44
- Bamboo Weaving Workshop & Cooking Class: $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
- Luang Prabang Evening food tour by Tuktuk: $57
- Cooking Class: $58
- Luang Prabang Evening Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $59
- Full Day bamboo experience with cooking class & Kuang si waterfalls: $59
- Morning food tour with local market option Kuangsi waterfall : $60
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Rai $8.02Luang Prabang $2.61
Tours and Activities in Chiang Rai
For Chiang Rai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Chiang Rai Temples Tour in Thailand: $92
- Sightseeing Join Tour Chiang Rai / PICK UP ONLY IN CHIANG RAI: $40
- 4 Days Mae Hong Son Loop Motorcycle Tour from Chiang Mai: $1,549
- Akha Home Cookery Experience Half Day Trip: $116
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai including Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $168
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle Royal Vila: $145
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle Royal Vila: $161
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $137
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $98
- Chiang Mai: Chiang Rai & Doi Mae Salong Tea Plantation Tour: $394
- Chiang Mai: Chiang Rai Temples, Golden Triangle & Boat Tour: $67
- Chiang Rai - Temple Tour: $154
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
- Dine and Cruise on Mekong River: $66
- Elephant keeper experience with Kuangsi waterfall day tour: $117
- From Guided Mountain Bike Tour with Lunch: $42
- Full Day Private Tour in Luang Prabang: $169
- Full Day Tour To Pak Ou Caves, Traditional Village & Kuang Si Waterfall: $51
- 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
- Guided Exploring Luang Prabang Full-Day Tour: $69
- Half day Kuangsi waterfall joining tour: $96
- Highlights of Luang Prabang 3-Days Private Tour: $251
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Rai $9.03Luang Prabang $1.74
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Rai and Luang Prabang, we can see that Chiang Rai 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 Chiang Rai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chiang Rai 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 Chiang Rai Expensive? and Is Luang Prabang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Rai or Luang Prabang?
Chiang Rai has a larger population, and is about 66% larger than the population of Luang Prabang. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Rai 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.
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.