Which place is cheaper, Luang Prabang or Khao Lak?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Khao Lak 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.
Resiliency and relaxation. Those are the two words used to describe one of Thailand's most breathtaking cities. Khao Lak is located in southern Thailand, and when the tsunami of 2004 hit, this area saw the most damage. With more than 4,000 fatalities, 3,000 still unaccounted for and enormous structural damages, many thought Khao Lak would not be able to bounce back. They have proved everyone wrong with a strong and impressive recovery. Now it has returned to its status of vacation hotspot. Unlike neighboring Phuket, though, the resorts in Khao Lak are designed for families and some peace and quiet.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, and The Best Adventure Tours to Laos.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Khao Lak is $112, 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 Khao Lak and Luang Prabang in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Khao Lak 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Khao Lak:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Luang Prabang are as follows:
Also for Luang Prabang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Luang Prabang and Khao Lak 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Khao Lak.
For Luang Prabang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are a few actual costs in Khao Lak for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Khao Lak and Luang Prabang, we can see that Khao Lak 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 Khao Lak would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Khao Lak 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 Khao Lak Expensive? and Is Luang Prabang Expensive?.
Luang Prabang has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Khao Lak. When comparing the sizes of Khao Lak 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.
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.
Both Luang Prabang and Khao Lak during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Lak 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Khao Lak. Khao Lak usually gets more rain in July than Luang Prabang. Khao Lak gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.
Khao Lak is around the same temperature as Luang Prabang in the summer. The daily temperature in Khao Lak averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Khao Lak and Luang Prabang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Lak year-round. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
November to April in Khao Lak is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Khao Lak. Luang Prabang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Khao Lak gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Khao Lak usually receives more rain than Luang Prabang. Khao Lak gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 126 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Khao Lak is around the same temperature as Luang Prabang. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Khao Lak in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Luang Prabang averages at about 26°C (79°F).
The winter brings many poeple to Khao Lak as well as Luang Prabang. Khao Lak attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luang Prabang throughout the year.
Khao Lak usually gets more rain in January than Luang Prabang. Khao Lak gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In January, Khao Lak is generally a little warmer than Luang Prabang. Daily temperatures in Khao Lak average around 27°C (80°F), and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Both Luang Prabang and Khao Lak are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Lak throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Luang Prabang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Khao Lak is November to April. The rainy season in Khao Lak is May to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Luang Prabang. It's quite rainy in Khao Lak. In April, Khao Lak usually receives more rain than Luang Prabang. Khao Lak gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Khao Lak is around the same temperature as Luang Prabang in the spring. The daily temperature in Khao Lak averages around 29°C (83°F) in April, and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Khao Lak | Luang Prabang | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
May | 28°C (82°F) | 345 mm (13.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 286 mm (11.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) |
Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 272 mm (10.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 417 mm (16.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 351 mm (13.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |