Which place is cheaper, Luang Prabang or Hat Yai?
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 Hat Yai 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 Hat Yai 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: Hat Yai or Luang Prabang?
Hat Yai
The fourth largest city of Thailand, Hat Yai is a popular tourist destination, especially on weekends and holidays for people in neighboring Malaysia and Singapore. It is best known as a commercial hub and shopping destination, and for its floating market and Buddhist temple.
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 Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos.
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Hat Yai Prices
Thailand PricesLuang Prabang Prices
Laos Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHat Yai $36Luang Prabang $18
The average daily cost (per person) in Hat Yai is $36, 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 Hat Yai and Luang Prabang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHat Yai $16Luang Prabang $5.60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHat Yai $32Luang Prabang $11
Compare Hotels in Hat Yai and Luang Prabang
Looking for a hotel in Hat Yai 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: Hat Yai Hotel Prices and Luang Prabang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hat Yai $0.72Luang Prabang $2.07
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hat Yai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hat Yai:
- Private Hatyai Airport Transfer to Pak Bara Pier by Van: $80
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$2.31
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: $20
- 2D Transfer to Huay Xai by Slow Boat: $60
- 2-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $165
- From 3-Day Oudomxay Town Trip with Transfers: $580
Is it cheaper to fly into Hat Yai or Luang Prabang?
Prices for flights to both Luang Prabang and Hat Yai 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 dayHat Yai $18Luang Prabang $9.25
Typical Food Prices in Hat Yai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hat Yai are as follows:
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Roti Snack$0.63
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
- Bamboo Weaving Workshop & Cooking Class: $44
- Day-time Bamboo weaving & Cooking Classes join-in: $44
- Luangprabang: Dinner with Lao Traditional Dance Performance: $45
- Mekong Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Cooking Class at the Former Royal Palace: $45
- Prabang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Mekong Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $46
- Laos: Prabang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $46
- Evening Bamboo weaving & Cooking classes join-in: $47
- Mekong Sunset Cruise & Lao Tasting Dinner: $49
- Evening Cooking Class & Local Baci Ceremony: $51
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hat Yai -Luang Prabang $2.66
Tours and Activities in Luang Prabang
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.
- Shuttle Bus ticket to Kuang Si Waterfalls: $8.00
- Farm Tour and Buffalo Buffet Adventure: $9.00
- Audio-Guided City Tour in Electric Car: $14
- Laos Railway: Train Tickets Easily - Skip the Lines - No worries : $30
- Kuang Si Waterfalls and Hmong Village Half-Day Tour: $30
- Small Group Half Day Luang Prabang city tour: $30
- UNESCO World Heritage City Highlights Tour: $35
- Unwind with a Sunset Cruise on the Mekong River: $35
- Afternoon Kuang Si Waterfalls & Sunset Cruise: $35
- Sunset Cruise Luang Prabang: $35
- Full day / Half Day Kayaking and Pak Ou Caves with optional sunset cruise: $41
- From Guided Mountain Bike Tour with Lunch: $42
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHat Yai $2.64Luang Prabang $1.78
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hat Yai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Hat Yai:
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Beer$1.88
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hat Yai and Luang Prabang, we can see that Hat Yai 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 Hat Yai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hat Yai 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 Hat Yai Expensive? and Is Luang Prabang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hat Yai or Luang Prabang?
Hat Yai has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Luang Prabang. When comparing the sizes of Hat Yai 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 Hat Yai or Luang Prabang?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Hat Yai or Luang Prabang in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Hat Yai as well as Luang Prabang. Hat Yai 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. Hat Yai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hat Yai usually gets less rain in July than Luang Prabang. Hat Yai gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Hat Yai is around the same temperature as Luang Prabang. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hat Yai in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Luang Prabang averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHat Yai 29°C (83°F)Luang Prabang 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Hat Yai or Luang Prabang in the Autumn?
Both Luang Prabang and Hat Yai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hat Yai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Luang Prabang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The rainy season in Hat Yai is May to December. It rains a lot this time of the year in Luang Prabang. It's quite rainy in Hat Yai. In October, Hat Yai usually receives more rain than Luang Prabang. Hat Yai gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 126 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Hat Yai is generally around the same temperature as Luang Prabang. Daily temperatures in Hat Yai average around 28°C (82°F), and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHat Yai 28°C (82°F)Luang Prabang 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Hat Yai or Luang Prabang in the Winter?
Both Luang Prabang and Hat Yai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hat Yai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round.
January to April is the dry season in Hat Yai. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. Hat Yai usually gets more rain in January than Luang Prabang. Hat Yai gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Hat Yai is a little warmer than Luang Prabang in the winter. The daily temperature in Hat Yai averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHat Yai 28°C (82°F)Luang Prabang 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Hat Yai or Luang Prabang in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hat Yai and Luang Prabang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hat Yai year-round. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
January to April in Hat Yai is the dry season. Also, May to December is the rainy season in Hat Yai. Luang Prabang receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Hat Yai usually receives less rain than Luang Prabang. Hat Yai gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Hat Yai is around the same temperature as Luang Prabang. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hat Yai in April average around 30°C (85°F), and Luang Prabang averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHat Yai 30°C (85°F)Luang Prabang 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Luang Prabang and Hat Yai
| Hat Yai | Luang Prabang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 30°C (85°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 588 mm (23.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 404 mm (15.9 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.