Which place is cheaper, Kingston 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 Kingston?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Luang Prabang or Kingston, 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 Kingston?
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.
Kingston
Kingston is Jamaica's capital city with a population of about 579,000. For being located on an island, Kingston is a very large city with several different zip codes. Not only is Kingston the cultural capital of the country, but also the commercial one as well.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos.
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Luang Prabang Prices
Laos PricesKingston Prices
Jamaica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuang Prabang $18Kingston $123
The average daily cost (per person) in Luang Prabang is $18, while the average daily cost in Kingston is $123. 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 Kingston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuang Prabang $5.60Kingston $62
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuang Prabang $11Kingston $124
Compare Hotels in Luang Prabang and Kingston
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang or Kingston? 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 Kingston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luang Prabang $2.07Kingston $28
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:
- From 3-Day Oudomxay Town Trip with Transfers: $580
- LPQ Airport: Private Transfer to/from Luang Prabang City: $20
- Luang Prabang Private Airport transfers: $9.00
- 2-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $165
- 2D Transfer to Huay Xai by Slow Boat: $60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- Montego Bay: 5-Day Jamaica Tour with Meals and Transfers: $2,200
- From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Negril: $749
- Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Montego Bay: $479
- Tropical Off-Road ATV Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $369
- From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Ocho Rios: $319
- Runaway Bay Hotels Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $261
- Group Private Kingston Airport Transfers (10 - 15 Persons): $251
- Port Antonio Hotel Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $235
- Kingston Round Trip Airport Transfers to Ocho Rios : $230
- NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225
- Airport Group Transfers-Kingston: $180
- Transfer for Kingston Airport to and from Hotels in Montego Bay: $173
Is it cheaper to fly into Luang Prabang or Kingston?
Prices for flights to both Kingston 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 $9.25Kingston $44
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 $2.66Kingston $12
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 Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Ocho Rios: $232
- Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios : $62
- Bamboo Rafting and Boston Jerk Centre Tour in Portland Jamaica: $220
- Blue Mountain Tour: A Half-Day Escape from Kingston: $1,011
- Blue Mountains Coffee Private Tour from Kingston: $180
- Bob Marley Guided City Tour: $95
- Bob Marley Museum Entry Ticket: $30
- Bob Marley Museum Express Tour from Port Royal Cruise Port: $141
- Bob Marley Museum, Devon House and Downtown Kingston Tour: $134
- City Tour of Kingston Including Entry Fees: $105
- Club Kingston VIP Departure Lounge Experience: $38
- Devon House City Tour Combo: $85
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuang Prabang $1.78Kingston $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luang Prabang and Kingston, we can see that Kingston 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 Kingston is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Kingston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kingston 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 Kingston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Luang Prabang or Kingston?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Luang Prabang. When comparing the sizes of Luang Prabang and Kingston, 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 Kingston?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Kingston in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Luang Prabang as well as Kingston. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.
Luang Prabang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Luang Prabang usually gets more rain in July than Kingston. Luang Prabang gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In July, Luang Prabang is generally around the same temperature as Kingston. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 28°C (82°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Kingston 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Kingston in the Autumn?
Both Kingston 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. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kingston. It's quite rainy in Luang Prabang. In October, Luang Prabang usually receives less rain than Kingston. Luang Prabang gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Luang Prabang is around the same temperature as Kingston in the autumn. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Kingston fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLuang Prabang 26°C (79°F)Kingston 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Kingston in the Winter?
Both Kingston 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round.
Luang Prabang usually gets less rain in January than Kingston. Luang Prabang gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, Luang Prabang is cooler than Kingston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Luang Prabang in January average around 21°C (70°F), and Kingston averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLuang Prabang 21°C (70°F)Kingston 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Kingston in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Luang Prabang and Kingston. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Luang Prabang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Luang Prabang usually receives more rain than Kingston. Luang Prabang gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In April, Luang Prabang is generally around the same temperature as Kingston. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 28°C (82°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Kingston 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Kingston and Luang Prabang
| Luang Prabang | Kingston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 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.