Which place is cheaper, Katoomba 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 Katoomba?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Luang Prabang or Katoomba, 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 Katoomba?
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.
Katoomba
Designated an UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000, the Blue Mountains are located just west of Sydney in the highlands of New South Wales, Australia.
This area can be generally expensive, but is on par with other destinations in Australia and around Sydney. Plenty of luxury places can be found here that cost more than average, but plenty of cheaper places to stay can be found here, too. Expect to pay for various activities such as tours and entrance fees, too.
The landscape is sprawling with majestic scenery over a rugged terrain of steep cliffs, forests, waterfalls, and villages. Whether you come to hike, climb, bike, or drive to the scenic viewpoints, a curtain of tranquility falls upon the mountains in a blue haze from which they get their name.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia, and The Best Scuba Diving Tours in Australia.
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Luang Prabang Prices
Laos PricesKatoomba Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuang Prabang $18Katoomba $148
The average daily cost (per person) in Luang Prabang is $18, while the average daily cost in Katoomba is $148. 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 Katoomba in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuang Prabang $5.60Katoomba $78
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuang Prabang $11Katoomba $156
Compare Hotels in Luang Prabang and Katoomba
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang or Katoomba? 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 Katoomba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luang Prabang $2.07Katoomba $50
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Luang Prabang or Katoomba?
Prices for flights to both Katoomba 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 $9.25Katoomba $30
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Luang Prabang $2.66Katoomba $54
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 Katoomba
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Katoomba are as follows:
- Blue Mountains Day Tour with Wildlife and Scenic World: $101
- Army Truck Adventures - 3 Hour Guided Tour: $100
- Army Truck Adventures - 90 Minute Guided Tour: $67
- Beauty of the Blue Mountains Private Tour: $853
- Blue Labyrinth PRIVATE Tour: Sydney Blue Mountains by E-Bike : $251
- Blue Mountains 1-Hour Trike Tour of Three Sisters: $109
- Blue Mountains 3 Hour Army Truck Adventures: $99
- Blue Mountains 90 Minute Army Truck Adventures: $65
- Blue Mountains Day Tour With Bushwalks, Waterfalls & Featherdale: $127
- Blue Mountains Day Tour with Scenic World and Wildlife Park Entry: $119
- Blue Mountains Full Day Guided Tour : $221
- Blue Mountains Hop On Hop Off Tour: $73
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuang Prabang $1.78Katoomba -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luang Prabang and Katoomba, we can see that Katoomba 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 Katoomba 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 Katoomba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Katoomba 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 Katoomba Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Luang Prabang or Katoomba?
Luang Prabang has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Katoomba. When comparing the sizes of Luang Prabang and Katoomba, 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 Katoomba?
Katoomba 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 Katoomba in the Summer?
Both Katoomba 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 Katoomba in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
Luang Prabang is a little warmer than Katoomba in the summer. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Katoomba fluctuates around 24°C (74°F)in January.
Katoomba 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 Katoombain January. Luang Prabang gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Katoomba 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Katoomba in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Luang Prabang and Katoomba. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round. Also, most visitors come to Katoomba for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Luang Prabang is a little warmer than Katoomba. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Luang Prabang in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Katoomba averages at about 18°C (65°F)in April.
Luang Prabang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Luang Prabang usually receives more rain than Katoombain April. Luang Prabang gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilLuang Prabang 26°C (79°F)Katoomba 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Katoomba in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Luang Prabang as well as Katoomba. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Katoomba because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Luang Prabang is generally much warmer than Katoombain July. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 21°C (70°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Luang Prabang usually gets less rain in January than Katoombain July. Luang Prabang gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyLuang Prabang 21°C (70°F)Katoomba 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Katoomba in the Spring?
Both Katoomba 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 small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Katoomba this time of year.
Luang Prabang is much warmer than Katoomba in the spring. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in October.
It's quite rainy in Luang Prabang. In April, Luang Prabang usually receives more rain than Katoombain October. Luang Prabang gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Katoomba 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Katoomba and Luang Prabang
| Luang Prabang | Katoomba | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 42 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 70 mm (2.8 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.