Which place is cheaper, Kamakura or Luang Prabang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Luang Prabang or Kamakura?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Luang Prabang or Kamakura, 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 Kamakura?
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.
Kamakura
An old city center of medieval Japan, Kamakura sits today on the seaside just south of Tokyo. Due to its early beginnings, the city is dotted with Buddhist Zen temples and Shinto shrines. It has become a prominent resort town drawing visitors with its many historic landmarks as well as nearby beaches.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuang Prabang $14Kamakura $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Luang Prabang is $14, while the average daily cost in Kamakura is $104. 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 Kamakura in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuang Prabang $5.72Kamakura $75
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuang Prabang $11Kamakura $150
Compare Hotels in Luang Prabang and Kamakura
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang or Kamakura? 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 Kamakura Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luang Prabang $2.11Kamakura $15
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:
- Luang Prabang Private Airport transfers: $9.00
- LPQ Airport: Private Transfer to/from Luang Prabang City: $29
- Private Transfer from Tortola island to Tortola Cruise Port: $81
Is it cheaper to fly into Luang Prabang or Kamakura?
Prices for flights to both Kamakura 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 $5.47Kamakura $20
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Luang Prabang $2.72Kamakura $5.59
Tours and Activities in Luang Prabang
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.
- Small Group Half Day Luang Prabang city tour: $30
- UNESCO World Heritage City Highlights Tour: $32
- Sunset Cruise Luang Prabang: $35
- Luang Prabang Mountain Bike Cycling Tour: $39
- Guided Meditation Experience in Luang Prabang: $40
- Luang Prabang Foodie Walking Tour and Monk Blessing: $40
- Morning local food Market experience option waterfall tour: $40
- Full day / Half Day Kayaking and Pak Ou Caves with optional sunset cruise: $41
- From Guided Mountain Bike Tour with Lunch: $42
- Luang Prabang City Tour & Kuang Si Waterfalls: $42
- Kayak Tour to Pak Ou Caves: $43
- Sunset Cruise in Luang Prabang with Live Performance: $45
Tours and Activities in Kamakura
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kamakura are as follows:
- 3 Hour Japanese Culture Tour in Kamakura Temples: $110
- 3-Hours Walking Tour in Kamakura: $94
- Audio Guide Tour of Historic Sites around Kamakura Station: $6.32
- Exciting Kamakura - One Day Tour from Tokyo: $249
- From Tokyo: Kamakura Private Customize Tour by Luxury Van: $455
- From Tokyo: Kamakura and Enoshima 1-Day Bus Tour: $57
- Full Day Kamakura Private Tour With English Speaking Driver: $505
- Full Day Private Discovering Tour in Kamakura: $153
- Half-Day Tour to Seven Gods of Fortune in Kamakura and Enoshima: $39
- Homemade Sushi and Supermarket Tour in Kamakura: $57
- Kamakura : Full Day with local guide. (Tickets included!): $113
- Kamakura Bamboo Forest and Great Buddha Private Tour: $174
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuang Prabang $1.82Kamakura $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luang Prabang and Kamakura, we can see that Kamakura 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 Kamakura would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kamakura 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 Kamakura Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Luang Prabang or Kamakura?
Kamakura has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Luang Prabang. When comparing the sizes of Luang Prabang and Kamakura, 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 Kamakura?
Kamakura 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 Kamakura in the Summer?
Both Kamakura 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, most visitors come to Kamakura for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Luang Prabang is a little warmer than Kamakura in the summer. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Kamakura fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
Kamakura 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 more rain in July than Kamakura. Luang Prabang gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Kamakura 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Kamakura in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Luang Prabang and Kamakura. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Kamakura because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Luang Prabang is a little warmer than Kamakura. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Luang Prabang in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Kamakura averages at about 18°C (64°F).
Kamakura 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 Kamakura. Luang Prabang gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 177 mm (7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLuang Prabang 26°C (79°F)Kamakura 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Kamakura in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Luang Prabang as well as Kamakura. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kamakura this time of year.
In January, Luang Prabang is generally much warmer than Kamakura. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 21°C (70°F), and Kamakura fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
Luang Prabang usually gets less rain in January than Kamakura. Luang Prabang gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLuang Prabang 21°C (70°F)Kamakura 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Kamakura in the Spring?
Both Kamakura 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, many travelers come to Kamakura for the beaches.
Luang Prabang is much warmer than Kamakura in the spring. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Kamakura fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kamakura. It's quite rainy in Luang Prabang. In April, Luang Prabang usually receives less rain than Kamakura. Luang Prabang gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Kamakura 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Kamakura and Luang Prabang
| Luang Prabang | Kamakura | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 218 mm (8.6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 180 mm (7.1 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 177 mm (7 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 53 mm (2.1 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.