Which place is cheaper, Luang Prabang or Koh Samet?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet 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.
The country of Thailand is full of some of the world's most stunning beauty and peaceful settings. So it begs the question, where the Thai people go to get away from it all? They go to Ko Samet on the eastern gulf coast. Located just outside of Bangkok, Ko Samet provides visitors an easily accessible and desirable weekend getaway spot. With white beaches and coral of every other color, this island has steadily developed over the last few years without an intense construction increase like many other Thai beaches. Once thought to be the home of pirates, this island provides plenty to wonder about including, are there hidden treasures under that gorgeous white sand?
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 in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in 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 Koh Samet is $96, 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 Koh Samet and Luang Prabang in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet 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 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 Koh Samet 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.
For Luang Prabang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samet and Luang Prabang, we can see that Koh Samet 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 Koh Samet would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Samet 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 Koh Samet Expensive? and Is Luang Prabang Expensive?.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Luang Prabang. Koh Samet 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. Koh Samet receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Samet usually gets less rain in July than Luang Prabang. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.
In July, Koh Samet is generally around the same temperature as Luang Prabang. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 28°C (82°F), and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Both Luang Prabang and Koh Samet are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samet throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Luang Prabang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Luang Prabang. It's quite rainy in Koh Samet. In October, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Luang Prabang. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 126 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Luang Prabang in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Both Luang Prabang and Koh Samet during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samet because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round.
Koh Samet usually gets more rain in January than Luang Prabang. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, Koh Samet is a little warmer than Luang Prabang. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Samet in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Luang Prabang averages at about 21°C (70°F).
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Luang Prabang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Luang Prabang receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Koh Samet usually receives less rain than Luang Prabang. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In April, Koh Samet is generally around the same temperature as Luang Prabang. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 29°C (84°F), and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Koh Samet | Luang Prabang | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
May | 28°C (83°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) |
Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 380 mm (15 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |