A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cochin vs. Luang Prabang for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cochin or Luang Prabang?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cochin 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: Cochin or Luang Prabang?

Cochin

Cochin is a large city in Kerala, India. It's a cosmopolitan commercial port city with a population of over two million and is a major tourist destination. The city has a diverse population that has migrated from elsewhere in Kerala, as well as the rest of India. The city continues to become more cosmopolitan with fashion shifting to western styles. There are also many large shopping malls as well as an enthusiasm for sports such as football (soccer) or cricket.

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 Luxury Tours to India, The Best Budget Tours to India, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, and The Best Adventure Tours to Laos.


Which place is cheaper, Luang Prabang or Cochin?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cochin is $36, 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 Cochin and Luang Prabang in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cochin $15
    Luang Prabang $5.72
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cochin $30
    Luang Prabang $11
Compare Hotels in Cochin and Luang Prabang

Looking for a hotel in Cochin 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.

Hotels in Cochin


Hotels in Luang Prabang


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: Cochin Hotel Prices and Luang Prabang Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cochin $9.90
    Luang Prabang $2.11

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luang Prabang

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Luang Prabang are as follows:


  • 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:

  • LPQ Airport: Private Transfer to/from Luang Prabang City: $29
  • Luang Prabang Private Airport transfers: $9.00
  • Private Transfer from Tortola island to Tortola Cruise Port: $81

Is it cheaper to fly into Cochin or Luang Prabang?

Prices for flights to both Luang Prabang and Cochin 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 day
    Cochin $12
    Luang Prabang $5.47

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cochin $10
    Luang Prabang $2.72

Tours and Activities in Luang Prabang

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.

  • Small Group Half Day Luang Prabang city tour: $30
  • UNESCO World Heritage City Highlights Tour: $32
  • Sunset Cruise Luang Prabang: $35
  • Luang Prabang Mountain Bike Cycling Tour: $39
  • Guided Meditation Experience in Luang Prabang: $40
  • Luang Prabang Foodie Walking Tour and Monk Blessing: $40
  • Morning local food Market experience option waterfall tour: $40
  • Full day / Half Day Kayaking and Pak Ou Caves with optional sunset cruise: $41
  • From Guided Mountain Bike Tour with Lunch: $42
  • Luang Prabang City Tour & Kuang Si Waterfalls: $42
  • Kayak Tour to Pak Ou Caves: $43
  • Sunset Cruise in Luang Prabang with Live Performance: $45

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cochin $8.79
    Luang Prabang $1.82


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cochin and Luang Prabang, we can see that Cochin 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 Cochin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cochin 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 Cochin Expensive? and Is Luang Prabang Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cochin or Luang Prabang?

Cochin has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Luang Prabang. When comparing the sizes of Cochin 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.