Which place is cheaper, Beijing or Luang Prabang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Luang Prabang or Beijing, 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.
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.
Beijing is the capital of China and, with 21.5 million people, it is the second most populated city in the world after Shanghai. It is a city that keeps pockets of its history hidden in old neighborhoods or back alleys, despite the constant change and modernization that goes on around it. As the capital city of China, there is plenty of history and culture. You can still get yourself lost in one of the last remaining hutongs, which are old neighborhoods that remain untouched by the city's modernization. The alleys that weave between the old homes are lined with drying clothes, corner markets, and people going about their daily lives the way they have for centuries. Surrounding these hutongs you'll find modern buildings and a booming economy, all threatening to destroying these last bits of Beijing's history. Beijing offers a glimpse into a microcosm that represents the entire country of China. Make sure you give yourself enough time in China to truly experience Beijing. You can pass a lot of time soaking up life in the city, which remains as diverse as the country it resides within.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Luang Prabang is $14, while the average daily cost in Beijing is $78. 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 Beijing in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang or Beijing? 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:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
Prices for flights to both Beijing 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.
For Luang Prabang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.
Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luang Prabang and Beijing, we can see that Beijing 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 Beijing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Beijing 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 Beijing Expensive?.
Beijing has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Luang Prabang. When comparing the sizes of Luang Prabang and Beijing, 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.
Beijing has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Luang Prabang experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
The summer brings many poeple to Luang Prabang as well as Beijing. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Beijing for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Luang Prabang is generally around the same temperature as Beijing. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 28°C (82°F), and Beijing fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
It's quite rainy in Beijing. Luang Prabang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Luang Prabang usually gets more rain in July than Beijing. Luang Prabang gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Beijing and Luang Prabang are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luang Prabang throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Beijing in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Luang Prabang is much warmer than Beijing in the autumn. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Beijing fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).
It's quite rainy in Luang Prabang. In October, Luang Prabang usually receives more rain than Beijing. Luang Prabang gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Beijing and Luang Prabang during the winter 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, most visitors come to Beijing for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Beijing can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Luang Prabang is much warmer than Beijing. Typically, the winter temperatures in Luang Prabang in January average around 21°C (70°F), and Beijing averages at about -4°C (26°F).
Luang Prabang usually gets more rain in January than Beijing. Luang Prabang gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Luang Prabang and Beijing. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Beijing because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Luang Prabang is generally much warmer than Beijing. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 28°C (82°F), and Beijing fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
Luang Prabang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Luang Prabang usually receives more rain than Beijing. Luang Prabang gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Luang Prabang | Beijing | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | -4°C (26°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
May | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) |
Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) |
Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | -1°C (29°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |