Which place is cheaper, Christchurch 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 Christchurch, 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.
Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand, right beside the Canterbury Plains. Most people begin their South Island travels here. The city itself can be fascinating to explore so it is worth allowing yourself several days in town as an introduction to the region.
The River Avon flows through the city center, twisting through the old buildings. Christchurch is referred to in New Zealand as the Garden City and it is easy to see why. It's quite a nice city with trees spread throughout. The economy is centered around international tourism as well as foreign education. There is a high Asian student population here, giving the city a diverse feel.
Christchurch's climate is temperate and the city receives moderate rainfall. In January average high temperatures are around 73 degrees Fahrenheit with averages around 52 degrees Fahrenheit in July. There is a sea breeze during the summer months that keep temperatures pleasant. Temperatures can drop below freezing at night during the winter months. Snow may also fall several times a year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland.
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 Christchurch is $95. 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 Christchurch in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang or Christchurch? 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:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Christchurch:
Prices for flights to both Christchurch 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:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.
Here are a few actual costs in Christchurch for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also in Christchurch, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luang Prabang and Christchurch, we can see that Christchurch 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 Christchurch 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 Christchurch would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Christchurch 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 Christchurch Expensive?.
Christchurch has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Luang Prabang. When comparing the sizes of Luang Prabang and Christchurch, 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.
Christchurch 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 Christchurch. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Christchurch for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Luang Prabang is much warmer than Christchurch. Typically, the summer temperatures in Luang Prabang in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Christchurch averages at about 18°C (64°F)in January.
Luang Prabang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Luang Prabang usually gets more rain in July than Christchurchin January. Luang Prabang gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Christchurch 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, the autumn months attract visitors to Christchurch because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Luang Prabang is generally much warmer than Christchurchin April. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 26°C (79°F), and Christchurch fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
It's quite rainy in Luang Prabang. In October, Luang Prabang usually receives more rain than Christchurchin April. Luang Prabang gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Christchurch 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. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Christchurch this time of year.
Luang Prabang is much warmer than Christchurch in the winter. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and Christchurch fluctuates around 6°C (43°F)in July.
Luang Prabang usually gets less rain in January than Christchurchin July. Luang Prabang gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Luang Prabang and Christchurch. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Christchurch for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Luang Prabang is much warmer than Christchurch. Typically, the spring temperatures in Luang Prabang in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Christchurch averages at about 12°C (54°F)in October.
Luang Prabang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Luang Prabang usually receives more rain than Christchurchin October. Luang Prabang gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Luang Prabang | Christchurch | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
May | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |