Which place is cheaper, Cairns or Luang Prabang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Luang Prabang or Cairns?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Luang Prabang or Cairns, 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 Cairns?
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.
Cairns
Most travelers go to Cairns specifically to visit Great Barrier Reef. The city itself is surprisingly large and cosmopolitan with a population of approximately 140,000. The city's economy is almost exclusively based on tourism, although you will find some jobs centered around agriculture, or more specifically sugar cane, bananas, coffee, tea, wine, and some tropical fruits. The city itself is surrounded by rainforest and makes a great base for exploring Kuranda, with the Barron Gorge National Park and the Daintree offering a quieter tropical getaway than Cairns.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuang Prabang $14Cairns $94
The average daily cost (per person) in Luang Prabang is $14, while the average daily cost in Cairns is $94. 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 Cairns in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuang Prabang $5.72Cairns $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuang Prabang $11Cairns $86
Compare Hotels in Luang Prabang and Cairns
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang or Cairns? 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 Cairns Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luang Prabang $2.11Cairns $12
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$2.36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luang Prabang
Also for Luang Prabang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Tortola island to Tortola Cruise Port: $81
- Luang Prabang Private Airport transfers: $9.00
- LPQ Airport: Private Transfer to/from Luang Prabang City: $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairns
Also for Cairns, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Hot Air Balloon Flight with Transfers: $653
- Cairns to Mission Beach (ONE WAY) Private Transfer 1 to 6 pax: $277
- Cairns Airport(CNS) to Port Douglas - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $268
- Mercedes-Benz S Class Transfers Cairns Airport - Port Douglas : $254
- Luxury Van, Private Transfer, Cairns Airport - Port Douglas.: $254
- Cairns Airport(CNS) to Cairns City - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $247
- Cairns Airport (CNS): Private Transfer to Cairns city hotels: $241
- IMAX Private Transfer 7 Guests Cairns Airport to Hotels in Port Douglas : $225
- Cairns Airport Private Transfers: $184
- Cairns Airport to Luxury Transfers Port Douglas: $170
- Cairns Airport (CNS): Private Transfer to Palm Cove hotels: $168
- Cairns Airport (CNS): Transfer to Port Douglas hotels: $168
Is it cheaper to fly into Luang Prabang or Cairns?
Prices for flights to both Cairns 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 $5.47Cairns $28
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:
- Bamboo Weaving Workshop & Cooking Class: $44
- Day-time Bamboo weaving & Cooking Classes join-in: $44
- Evening Bamboo weaving & Cooking classes join-in: $47
- Mekong Sunset Cruise and Hot Pot Dinner: $50
- Luang Prabang Mekong Sunset Cruise and Hot Pot Dinner: $51
- Evening Cooking Class & Local Baci Ceremony: $51
- Laos Cooking Class in Luang Prabang: $55
- Cooking Class: $55
- Luang Prabang Evening food tour by Tuktuk: $56
- Luang Prabang Evening Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $57
- Luang Prabang Evening Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk : $58
- Full Day bamboo experience with cooking class & Kuang si waterfalls: $59
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairns
For Cairns, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cairns Luxury Catamaran Harbor and Dinner Cruise: $85
- Night at the Aquarium Guided Tour & 2 Course Dinner: $91
- Guided Twilight Tour with 3-Course Dinner: $117
- City Sights Tour with Evening Dinner Cruise: $149
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Luang Prabang $2.72Cairns $37
Tours and Activities in Luang Prabang
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.
- 1 DAY Mekong Cruise to Pak Ou Caves. Kuang Si Waterfalls . Local Villages: $48
- Bike to Kuangsi Waterfall and Cruise the Mekong River Back - Luang Prabang 1 day: $170
- Biking & Kayaking through Nam Khan River Valley - Luang Prabang full day tour: $73
- Dine and Cruise on Mekong River: $66
- Elephant keeper experience option waterfall day tour: $115
- From Guided Mountain Bike Tour with Lunch: $42
- Full Day Kuang Si Warerfalls & Rice Farming Experience in Living Land: $95
- Full Day Private Tour in Luang Prabang: $164
- Full day / Half Day Kayaking and Pak Ou Caves with optional sunset cruise: $41
- Full-Day Luang Prabang Highlights Tour Including Kuangsi Waterfall: $85
- Full-Day Private Guided Pak Ou Caves & Ethnic Village Tour: $159
- Full-Day Private Tour in Luang Prabang with Vintage Jeep: $170
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairns
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cairns's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Scuba Diving$36
Tours and Activities in Cairns
For Cairns, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Kuranda Rainforestation Nature Park Ticket (BNP): $43
- 3B Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge, Crocodile Wildlife Cruise: $188
- Atherton Tablelands, Waterfalls and Rainforest Tour from Cairns: $98
- Atherton Tablelands: Lakes, Waterfalls, Rainforest Day Tour: $97
- Authentic Indigenous Cultural Tour Including Scenic River Cruise: $92
- Barron Gorge and Kuranda National Park Half Day Rainforest and Waterfall 4WD Tour from Cairns: $120
- Cairns 4WD Rainforest Waterfall Tour Including a GBR Island Tour: $242
- Cairns Aquarium General Admission & Coral Conservation Tour: $52
- Cairns Aquarium General Admission Ticket: $34
- Cairns Aquarium Turtle Hospital and City Sightseeing Tour: $116
- Cairns Aquarium and small group City Sightseeing Tour: $125
- Cairns Botanic Gardens: Mushroom Photography Tour: $44
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuang Prabang $1.82Cairns $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Cairns
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cairns:
- Cairns Brewery Tours: $139
- From Atherton Tablelands Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $160
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luang Prabang and Cairns, we can see that Cairns 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 Cairns 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 Cairns would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cairns 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 Cairns Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Luang Prabang or Cairns?
Cairns has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Luang Prabang. When comparing the sizes of Luang Prabang and Cairns, 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 Luang Prabang or Cairns?
Cairns 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 Cairns in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Luang Prabang and Cairns. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Cairns for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Luang Prabang is generally around the same temperature as Cairnsin January. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 28°C (82°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
Cairns receives a lot of rain in the summer. Luang Prabang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Luang Prabang usually receives less rain than Cairnsin January. Luang Prabang gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Cairns 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Cairns in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Luang Prabang as well as Cairns. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Cairns because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
Luang Prabang is around the same temperature as Cairns in the autumn. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in Cairns. Luang Prabang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Luang Prabang usually gets less rain in October than Cairnsin April. Luang Prabang gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 273 mm (10.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to October in Cairns is the dry season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilLuang Prabang 26°C (79°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Cairns in the Winter?
Both Cairns and Luang Prabang are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luang Prabang throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cairns this time of year.
In the winter, Luang Prabang is around the same temperature as Cairns. Typically, the winter temperatures in Luang Prabang in January average around 21°C (70°F), and Cairns averages at about 23°C (73°F)in July.
In January, Luang Prabang usually receives less rain than Cairnsin July. Luang Prabang gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyLuang Prabang 21°C (70°F)Cairns 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Cairns in the Spring?
Both Cairns and Luang Prabang during the spring 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 travelers come to Cairns for the beaches.
In April, Luang Prabang is generally around the same temperature as Cairnsin October. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 28°C (82°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang usually gets more rain in April than Cairnsin October. Luang Prabang gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. April to October is the dry season in Cairns. November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Cairns and Luang Prabang
| Luang Prabang | Cairns | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 429 mm (16.9 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 469 mm (18.5 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 471 mm (18.5 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 273 mm (10.8 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 211 mm (8.3 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.