Which place is cheaper, Leiden 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 Leiden?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Luang Prabang or Leiden, 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 Leiden?
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.
Leiden
Leiden is a city in the province of South Holland. It is south of the Netherlands capital, Amsterdam, and has a population of about 190,000. It is known for its university, museums, markets, and of course, canals. Leiden University is the oldest university in the Netherlands and is a sister school of Oxford, which is England's oldest university.
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 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.
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Luang Prabang Prices
Laos PricesLeiden Prices
Netherlands Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuang Prabang $18Leiden $188
The average daily cost (per person) in Luang Prabang is $18, while the average daily cost in Leiden is $188. 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 Leiden in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuang Prabang $5.53Leiden $90
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuang Prabang $11Leiden $180
Compare Hotels in Luang Prabang and Leiden
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang or Leiden? 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 Leiden Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luang Prabang $2.04Leiden $30
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$2.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luang Prabang
Also for Luang Prabang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Luang Prang 1 Day with Laos Railway Private Transfer: $180
- 2D Transfer to Huay Xai by Slow Boat: $60
- 2-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $165
- Luang Prabang Private Transfers: Hotel -Railway Station - Airport: $9.60
- Luang Prabang Private Airport transfers: $9.00
- Luang Prabang 2 Days Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $165
- Luang Prabang 2 Day Slow Boat Transfer to Houay Xay: $70
- LPQ Airport: Private Transfer to/from Luang Prabang City: $20
- From 3-Day Oudomxay Town Trip with Transfers: $580
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leiden
Also for Leiden, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Historical Private Tour of Delft and Leiden including Transfer: $259
- Private Tour of The Hague and Leiden including Transfer: $248
- Premium electric transfer from Leiden Area to the Airport: $100
Is it cheaper to fly into Luang Prabang or Leiden?
Prices for flights to both Leiden 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 $9.14Leiden $78
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
- The Namkhan - Kids Cooking Class: $40
- Day-time Bamboo weaving & Cooking Classes join-in: $44
- Bamboo Weaving Workshop & Cooking Class: $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
- Prabang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Laos: Prabang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $46
- Mekong Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $46
- 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 $2.63Leiden $20
Tours and Activities in Luang Prabang
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.
- 1 Day Kayaking Adventure and Whiskey Village Tour: $248
- 1 Day Mekong Pak Ou Caves Kuang Si Waterfalls Local Villages Tour: $80
- 6Days 5Nigths Luang Prabang city tour & Mekong River Cruise: $800
- Best of Luang Prabang City Day Tour - Secrets of LPQ World Heritage: $82
- Best of Luang Prabang Shared Group City Tour: $214
- Bike to Kuangsi Waterfall and Cruise the Mekong River Back - Luang Prabang 1 day: $170
- Classic Tour in Luang Prabang: $90
- Classic tour in Luang Prabang (Private): $243
- Discover Luang Prabang Heritage City Tour and Kuang Si Waterfalls: $127
- Experience Lao Authentic Cuisine at the Former Royal Palace: $55
- Explore Pak Ou Caves by Kayak with Optional Sunset River Cruise: $196
- From Field to Table Half Day Rice Experience in Luang Prabang: $194
Tours and Activities in Leiden
For Leiden, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 90 minutes Self-Guided Walking tour with puzzles in Leiden: $23
- Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $48
- Cruise with Keukenhof Entrance Ticket in Amsterdam Lakes: $47
- Discover Leiden with a self-guided Outside Escape city game tour!: $32
- Dutch Windmills & Polder Walking Tour: $45
- Escape Tour Leiden -selfguided citygame- find the secret exit!: $35
- Half-Day Private Guided Tour in Leiden: $289
- Historical Private Tour with Local Guide: $348
- Leiden Private Canal Boat Tour with Drinks and Snacks: $159
- Leiden Tour with Live guide and Visit to Rembrandt's First Studio: $99
- Leiden's Shadows: A Dark History Walking Tour: $35
- Cruise through the Historic City Center with Guide: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuang Prabang $1.76Leiden $30
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luang Prabang and Leiden, we can see that Leiden 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 Leiden is in Europe, 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 Leiden would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Leiden 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 Leiden Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Luang Prabang or Leiden?
Leiden has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Luang Prabang. When comparing the sizes of Luang Prabang and Leiden, 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 Leiden?
Leiden 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 Leiden in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Luang Prabang and Leiden. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Leiden because of the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Luang Prabang is generally much warmer than Leiden. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 28°C (82°F), and Leiden fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
Luang Prabang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Luang Prabang usually receives more rain than Leiden. Luang Prabang gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Leiden 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Leiden in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Luang Prabang as well as Leiden. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the shopping scene are the main draw to Leiden this time of year.
Luang Prabang is much warmer than Leiden in the autumn. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Leiden fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Luang Prabang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Luang Prabang usually gets more rain in October than Leiden. Luang Prabang gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLuang Prabang 26°C (79°F)Leiden 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Leiden in the Winter?
Both Leiden and Luang Prabang are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luang Prabang throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Leiden for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Leiden. In the winter, Luang Prabang is much warmer than Leiden. Typically, the winter temperatures in Luang Prabang in January average around 21°C (70°F), and Leiden averages at about 2°C (36°F).
In January, Luang Prabang usually receives less rain than Leiden. Luang Prabang gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLuang Prabang 21°C (70°F)Leiden 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Leiden in the Spring?
Both Leiden and Luang Prabang during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Luang Prabang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Luang Prabang is generally much warmer than Leiden. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 28°C (82°F), and Leiden fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang usually gets more rain in April than Leiden. Luang Prabang gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Leiden 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Leiden and Luang Prabang
| Luang Prabang | Leiden | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 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.