Which place is cheaper, Napier 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 Napier?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Luang Prabang or Napier, 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 Napier?
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.
Napier
Napier is city on the eastern coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is part of the Hawke's Bay Region, a famous area for wine vineyards. Napier has a population of 61,000 people and is known for its Art Deco architecture and of course, wine.
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 Contiki Tours to New Zealand, and The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand.
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Luang Prabang Prices
Laos PricesNapier Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuang Prabang $18Napier $193
The average daily cost (per person) in Luang Prabang is $18, while the average daily cost in Napier is $193. 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 Napier in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuang Prabang $5.60Napier $101
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuang Prabang $11Napier $202
Compare Hotels in Luang Prabang and Napier
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang or Napier? 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 Napier Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luang Prabang $2.07Napier $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$2.31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luang Prabang
Also for Luang Prabang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 2D Transfer to Huay Xai by Slow Boat: $61
- 2-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $165
- Luang Prabang Private Airport transfers: $9.00
- LPQ Airport: Private Transfer to/from Luang Prabang City: $20
- From 3-Day Oudomxay Town Trip with Transfers: $580
Is it cheaper to fly into Luang Prabang or Napier?
Prices for flights to both Napier 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 $9.25Napier $63
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 River Sunset & Lao Tasting Dinner: $49
- Evening Cooking Class & Local Baci Ceremony: $51
Typical Food Prices in Napier
For Napier, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Casural Lunch$8.28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Napier
For Napier, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Taste Hawke's Bay - A Sweet treat food Tour: $115
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Luang Prabang $2.66Napier $27
Tours and Activities in Luang Prabang
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.
- Half Day Kayaking and Pak Ou Caves with Sunset Cruise: $196
- Kuang Si Waterfalls and Hmong Village Half-Day Tour: $30
- 6Days 5Nigths Luang Prabang city tour & Mekong River Cruise: $800
- 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
- Day Pass - Premium Wellness Experience at The Namkhan: $90
- Dine and Cruise on Mekong River: $66
- Explore Pak Ou Caves by Kayak with Optional Sunset River Cruise: $196
- From Field to Table Half Day Rice Experience in Luang Prabang: $194
- From 8-Day Laos Tour with Accommodation: $1,241
Tours and Activities in Napier
For Napier, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Shore excursion - Napier sight seeing/Art Deco Tour, : $53
- 3 hour Napier City + Premium Winery Tour: $87
- Art Deco Walking Private Tour from Napier Cruise Port: $249
- Cape Winery Cycle Tour - 6 wineries, self-guided: $69
- Coast to Vineyards Self-Guided Scenic Cycle Tour from Napier: $48
- Deco City Black Cab Tours and Shuttles: $104
- Discover Napier Earthquake: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Half Day Sightseeing and Taste Tour: $95
- Hawke's Bay Historic Wineries Tour - Featuring NZ oldest Winery: $118
- Hawke's Bay: Self Guided Coast to Vineyards Cycle Tour: $47
- Hawke's bay: Chocolate, Honey, and Ice Cream Tour: $126
- Hawkes Bay Wine & Local Producers Tour | Award Winning | 6 hours: $164
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuang Prabang $1.78Napier $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Napier
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Napier are as follows:
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Wine$12
Sample the Local Flavors in Napier
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Napier:
- Art-Deco + Te Mata Peak+ Garden Walk + Wine Tasting: $87
- Deco Napier, Te Mata Peak, Garden Walk and Wine Tasting Tour: $89
- Half Day Small-Group Hawkes Bay Wine Tour: $101
- Wine Tasting Tour in Napier Region: $104
- Napier Cruise Excursion Art Deco Tour and Wine Tasting: $107
- From Hawke's Bay Small Group Wine Tour: $114
- Napier Art Deco & Distillery Tour with Tastings: $116
- Art Deco Heritage & Gin Distillery Tour with Tasting: $127
- Hawkes Bay - Scenic, luncheon, wine Tour: $131
- Wine Tour and Tastings in Hawkes Bay : $146
- Craggy Range Deluxe - Hawke's Bay Wine Tour : $150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luang Prabang and Napier, we can see that Napier 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 Napier 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 Napier would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Napier 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 Napier Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Luang Prabang or Napier?
Napier has a larger population, and is about 20% larger than the population of Luang Prabang. When comparing the sizes of Luang Prabang and Napier, 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.