Which place is cheaper, Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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.
Jump to 
Should you visit Luang Prabang or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Luang Prabang or Lake Titicaca (Puno), 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
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.
Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Lake Titicaca, which directly translates to "puma stone" in Quechua, is located high in the Andes Mountains straddling Peru and Bolivia, with about 60% of the lake in Peru and 40% in Bolivia. Among the lake are three main islands, the most popular of which are the Uros Islands, also known as the floating islands, where the Uros people live on totora reeds that grow in the lake.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos, The Best Photography Tours in Peru, and The Best Jungle Trekking Tours in Peru.
-
Luang Prabang Prices
Laos PricesLake Titicaca (Puno) Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuang Prabang $17Lake Titicaca (Puno) $72
The average daily cost (per person) in Luang Prabang is $17, while the average daily cost in Lake Titicaca (Puno) is $72. 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuang Prabang $5.38Lake Titicaca (Puno) $29
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuang Prabang $11Lake Titicaca (Puno) $58
Compare Hotels in Luang Prabang and Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang or Lake Titicaca (Puno)? 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luang Prabang $1.98Lake Titicaca (Puno) $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luang Prabang
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Luang Prabang are as follows:
-
Tuk Tuk Ride$2.21
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
- Luang Prabang Private Transfers: Hotel -Railway Station - Airport: $9.60
- 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
- Luang Prang 1 Day with Laos Railway Private Transfer: $180
- From 3-Day Oudomxay Town Trip with Transfers: $580
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno):
-
Taxi$0.89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno):
- Private Transfer From Puno to Chivay, English Speaking Driver: $225
- Private Transfer from Puno to Frontera Kasani: $218
- Private Transfer from Inca Manco Capac (JUL) Airport to Puno: $95
- Private Transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno or Viceversa: $52
- Private transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno or Viceversa: $52
- Private Transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno Plaza de Armas: $40
- Private Transfer from Hotel Puno to Puerto de Puno: $22
- Private Transfer from Puerto de Puno to Hotel Puno: $22
- Puno Arrival Transfer from bus or railway Station: $14
Is it cheaper to fly into Luang Prabang or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Prices for flights to both Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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
-
Food Meals for one dayLuang Prabang $8.89Lake Titicaca (Puno) $29
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:
- The Namkhan - Kids Cooking Class: $40
- Bamboo Weaving Workshop & Cooking Class: $44
- Day-time Bamboo weaving & Cooking Classes join-in: $44
- Luangprabang: Dinner with Lao Traditional Dance Performance: $45
- Cooking Class at the Former Royal Palace: $45
- Mekong Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Mekong Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $46
- Laos: Prabang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $46
- Mekong Sunset Cruise & Lao Tasting Dinner: $49
- Evening Cooking Class & Local Baci Ceremony: $51
- Luang Prabang Mekong Sunset Cruise and Hot Pot Dinner: $55
- Luang Prabang Cooking, Pottery & Candle Experience: $57
Typical Food Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:
-
Tamales$1.63
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Luang Prabang $2.56Lake Titicaca (Puno) $32
Tours and Activities in Luang Prabang
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.
- Luang Prabang to Train Station Shared Minivan Ticket Or Private: $5.00
- Shuttle Bus ticket to Kuang Si Waterfalls: $8.00
- Luang Prabang to Kuang Si Waterfalls Shared Minivan Ticket: $8.00
- Farm Tour and Buffalo Buffet Adventure: $9.00
- Laos Buffalo Dairy Tours Interact, Learn and Taste Fresh Flavors: $14
- Audio-Guided City Tour in Electric Car: $14
- Natural Soap Making Experience - Luang Prabang: $27
- Laos–China Railway: Easy Train Tickets, No Queues, No Worries: $28
- Luang Prabang Half Day Tour with Mekong River Sunset Cruise: $29
- Laos Railway: Train Tickets Easily - Skip the Lines - No worries: $30
- Small Group Half Day Luang Prabang city tour: $30
- Morning Alms Giving Ceremony and Local Market Experience: $31
Tours and Activities in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:
- 2 Day Lake Titicaca Tour From Puno: $150
- 2 Days All Inclusive Puno Tour From Puno: $270
- 2 Days and 1 Night Tour from Puno to Colca Canyon and Arequipa: $240
- 2-Hour Crop Circles Private Tour on Lake Titicaca from Puno: $119
- 2-day Tour: Puno To Chivay And Canyon Of Colca: $255
- 3 Days Tour to Ruta del Sol in Puno: $120
- 3 Hour Guided Kayaking Tour in Lake Titicaca: $50
- 3-Hour Uros Floating Islands Tour from Puno: $22
- 3-day Classic Puno Tour Package: $249
- 3h Boat Tour to Uros Island from Puno: $40
- A Full Day Tour View: Uros and Taquile Islands on the Titicaca Lake from Puno: $65
- Bus Tour of the Puno to Cusco Sun Route with Buffet Lunch: $62
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuang Prabang $1.71Lake Titicaca (Puno) $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luang Prabang and Lake Titicaca (Puno), we can see that Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) is in South America, 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Luang Prabang or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Lake Titicaca (Puno) has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Luang Prabang. When comparing the sizes of Luang Prabang and Lake Titicaca (Puno), 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.
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.