Which place is cheaper, Airlie Beach or Luang Prabang?
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 Luang Prabang or Airlie Beach?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Luang Prabang or Airlie Beach, 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: Luang Prabang or Airlie Beach?
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.
Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach, in Queensland, offers the closest port to the Whitsunday Islands on the Great Barrier Reef. It's a small town of only 25,000 and has grown out of the area's popularity as a tourist destination. It's main industry remains tourism and, as such, there are many venues set up to accommodate travelers hoping to make trips to the Whitsunday Islands and the Outer Great Barrier Reef. The town has the feel of a vacation destination. While in the past Airlie Beach appealed specifically to the backpacker crowd, it's popularity has spread and now there are facilities catering to all travel types. The area has become more commercialized and there are plenty of large resorts to choose from. Even so, you'll still find no shortage of affordable accommodation around town.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Australia.
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Luang Prabang Prices
Laos PricesAirlie Beach Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuang Prabang $18Airlie Beach $165
The average daily cost (per person) in Luang Prabang is $18, while the average daily cost in Airlie Beach is $165. 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 Luang Prabang and Airlie Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuang Prabang $5.60Airlie Beach $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuang Prabang $11Airlie Beach $118
Compare Hotels in Luang Prabang and Airlie Beach
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang or Airlie Beach? 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 and Airlie Beach Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luang Prabang $2.07Airlie Beach $19
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Airlie Beach
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Airlie Beach:
- Private Transfer to/from Whitsunday Coast Airport: $148
- Private Transfer to/from Shute Harbour: $134
- Airport Transfer to Shute Harbour / Renta Yacht / Freedom Shores: $32
- Established Return Airport Transfer Proserpine to Airlie Beach: $28
- Transfer from Whitsunday Coast Airport: $17
- One Way Airport Transfer: Proserpine-Airlie Beach (or vice versa): $17
- Whitsundays: Airport Transfer to/from Airlie Beach: $16
Is it cheaper to fly into Luang Prabang or Airlie Beach?
Prices for flights to both Airlie Beach and Luang Prabang 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 dayLuang Prabang $9.25Airlie Beach $55
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Airlie Beach
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Airlie Beach.
- 3-Hour Sunset Segway Tour with Dinner: $82
- Whitsundays Segway Sunset and Boardwalk Tour with Dinner: $83
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Luang Prabang $2.66Airlie Beach $161
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
Tours and Activities in Airlie Beach
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Airlie Beach are as follows:
- Airlie Beach Glass Bottom Boat Guided Night Tour: $66
- Airlie Beach Glass Bottom Boat Tour: $59
- Airlie Beach Jet Ski Tours: $164
- Airlie Beach Sunset Cruise : $46
- Airlie Beach Trike Tours: $50
- #1 Sightseeing Explorer 3hr tour.: $62
- 2-Hour Sunset Cruise with Sparkling Wine: $45
- Adults-Only Whitehaven Beach Sailing Tour: $187
- Airlie Adventure Jet Ski Tour: $170
- BYOB Sunset Sail in Style Catamaran Cruise: $72
- Glass-Bottom Boat Tour: $59
- Great Barrier Reef & Whitehaven Beach Tour: $209
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuang Prabang $1.78Airlie Beach $9.06
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luang Prabang and Airlie Beach, we can see that Airlie Beach is more expensive. And not only is Luang Prabang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Luang Prabang is in Asia and Airlie Beach is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Airlie Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Airlie Beach 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 Luang Prabang Expensive? and Is Airlie Beach Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Luang Prabang or Airlie Beach?
Airlie Beach has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Luang Prabang experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Airlie Beach in the Summer?
Both Airlie Beach and Luang Prabang during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Luang Prabang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Airlie Beach in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Luang Prabang is around the same temperature as Airlie Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.
Airlie Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang usually gets less rain in July than Airlie Beachin January. Luang Prabang gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Airlie Beach 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Airlie Beach in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Luang Prabang and Airlie Beach. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round. Also, most visitors come to Airlie Beach for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Luang Prabang is a little warmer than Airlie Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Luang Prabang in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Airlie Beach averages at about 23°C (73°F)in April.
Airlie Beach receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Luang Prabang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Luang Prabang usually receives less rain than Airlie Beachin April. Luang Prabang gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilLuang Prabang 26°C (79°F)Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Airlie Beach in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Luang Prabang as well as Airlie Beach. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Airlie Beach because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.
In January, Luang Prabang is generally a little warmer than Airlie Beachin July. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 21°C (70°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).
Luang Prabang usually gets less rain in January than Airlie Beachin July. Luang Prabang gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyLuang Prabang 21°C (70°F)Airlie Beach 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Airlie Beach in the Spring?
Both Airlie Beach and Luang Prabang are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luang Prabang throughout the year. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Airlie Beach this time of year.
Luang Prabang is a little warmer than Airlie Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in October.
It's quite rainy in Luang Prabang. In April, Luang Prabang usually receives more rain than Airlie Beachin October. Luang Prabang gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Airlie Beach and Luang Prabang
| Luang Prabang | Airlie Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 191 mm (7.5 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.