Which place is cheaper, Luang Prabang or Halong Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Halong Bay or Luang Prabang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Halong Bay and Luang Prabang can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Halong Bay or Luang Prabang?
Halong Bay
Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the north of Vietnam, near the Chinese border. Known for its thousands of beautiful limestone karsts and stalactite-filled caves, it is one of the most visited destinations in Vietnam. If you appreciate natural scenery and want an adventure at sea, you'll love cruising among more than 1,900 islands in Ha Long Bay.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Best 10-Day Tours from Hanoi, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos.
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Halong Bay Prices
Vietnam PricesLuang Prabang Prices
Laos Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHalong Bay $66Luang Prabang $18
The average daily cost (per person) in Halong Bay is $66, while the average daily cost in Luang Prabang is $18. 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 Halong Bay and Luang Prabang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHalong Bay $27Luang Prabang $5.53
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHalong Bay $54Luang Prabang $11
Compare Hotels in Halong Bay and Luang Prabang
Looking for a hotel in Halong Bay 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.Halong Bay $13Luang Prabang $2.04
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halong Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Halong Bay:
- Halong Bay 2D1N 5-Star Cruise–Transfer, Food & Island Adventures: $239
- Classic 2D1N Halong Bay Cruise from Hanoi with Bus Transfer: $218
- PRIVATE TRANSFER BETWEEN HANOI and HAI PHONG CITY(DCAR LIMOUSINE): $200
- 2 Day Halong Bay Cruise from Hanoi by Expressway Transfer: $199
- Dragon 5Star HaLong Cruise 2D1N Included Transfer from Hanoi: $195
- Oasis Bay Party Cruise for Young Travelers with Transfer Included: $185
- Private Transfer from Halong Bay Cruise Port to Hanoi hotels: $144
- Private Transfers FROM/to Ninh Binh TO/from Cat Ba island: $119
- Private Transfer: From Ha Long Bay to Ninh Binh: $110
- Hanoi Private Transfer from Tuan Chau Island to Hanoi (HAN) airport: $103
- Hai Phong airport transfer to Halong Bay with private car 7 seat from Hai Phong: $100
- Halong Bay transfer to Hai Phong airport with private car 7 seats from HalongBay: $100
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$2.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luang Prabang
Also for Luang Prabang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From 3-Day Oudomxay Town Trip with Transfers: $580
- LPQ Airport: Private Transfer to/from Luang Prabang City: $20
- Luang Prabang 2 Day Slow Boat Transfer to Houay Xay: $70
- Luang Prabang 2 Days Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $165
- Luang Prabang Private Airport transfers: $9.00
- Luang Prabang Private Transfers: Hotel -Railway Station - Airport: $9.60
- 2-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $165
- 2D Transfer to Huay Xai by Slow Boat: $60
- Luang Prang 1 Day with Laos Railway Private Transfer: $180
Is it cheaper to fly into Halong Bay or Luang Prabang?
Prices for flights to both Luang Prabang and Halong Bay 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 dayHalong Bay $26Luang Prabang $9.14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Halong Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Halong Bay.
- Sunset and Bioluminescent Kayaking Tour in Lan Ha Bay with Dinner: $37
- Catherine Horizon - Top Luxury - The Best Day & Dinner Cruise: $70
- Halong Bay Luxury Dinner Cruise - Ambassador: $79
- Cooking class on floating village: $100
- Best 2D1N Lan Ha Bay Cruise: BBQ dinner, Viet Hai Ancient Village: $210
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:
- Luang Prabang Local Market and Morning Food Tour with Drinks: $39
- The Namkhan - Kids Cooking Class: $40
- Day-time Bamboo weaving & Cooking Classes join-in: $44
- Bamboo Weaving Workshop & Cooking Class: $44
- Luangprabang: Dinner with Lao Traditional Dance Performance: $45
- Cooking Class at the Former Royal Palace: $45
- Mekong Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Prabang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Laos: Prabang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $46
- Mekong Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $46
- Mekong Sunset Cruise & Lao Tasting Dinner: $49
- Evening Cooking Class & Local Baci Ceremony: $51
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Halong Bay $16Luang Prabang $2.63
Tours and Activities in Halong Bay
Here are a few actual costs in Halong Bay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 07 Hours Explore Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay on HERA DAY CRUISE: $80
- 07 Hours Explore Halong Bay on La Casta Cruises: $62
- 1 Day Ha Long & Ti Top Island on 5* Cruise: $51
- 2 Day Horror Cruise from Halong city: $214
- 2 Days 1 Night Lan Ha Bay Adventure: $139
- 2 Days 1 Night Lan Ha, Ha Long Bay Tour With Licensed Guide: $129
- 2 Days 1 Night on Lan Ha Bay at Daiichi Boutique Cruise: $131
- 2 Days Amazing Halong Bay Cruise starting from Tuan Chau Harbor: $155
- 2 Days Arcady Cruise Halong from Halong: $217
- 2 Days Bai Tu Long bay luxury cruise with kayaking and swimming: $210
- 2 Days Cruise Tour in Halong Bay from Halong: $180
- 2 Days Explore Halong Bay Cruise Tour from Hanoi: $228
Tours and Activities in Luang Prabang
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.
- Luang Prabang to Train Station Shared Minivan Ticket Or Private: $5.00
- Luang Prabang to Kuang Si Waterfalls Shared Minivan Ticket: $7.00
- Farm Tour and Buffalo Buffet Adventure: $9.00
- Laos Buffalo Dairy Tours Interact, Learn and Taste Fresh Flavors: $14
- Audio-Guided City Tour in Electric Car: $14
- Laos–China Railway: Easy Train Tickets, No Queues, No Worries: $28
- Natural Soap Making Experience - Luang Prabang: $28
- Luang Prabang Half Day Tour with Mekong River Sunset Cruise: $29
- Laos Railway: Train Tickets Easily - Skip the Lines - No worries: $30
- Small Group Half Day Luang Prabang city tour: $30
- Morning Alms Giving Ceremony and Local Market Experience: $31
- Afternoon Kuang Si Waterfalls & Sunset Cruise: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHalong Bay $12Luang Prabang $1.76
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Halong Bay and Luang Prabang, we can see that Halong Bay 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 Halong Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Halong Bay 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 Halong Bay Expensive? and Is Luang Prabang Expensive?.
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.