Which place is cheaper, Nara 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 Nara?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Luang Prabang or Nara, 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 Nara?
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.
Nara
As Japan's first capital, Nara offers a world of tradition and culture second only to the city of Kyoto. It is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which are largely concentrated in the area of Nara Park. Here, it is also common to see many deer wandering freely amongst the temples and shrines.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.
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Luang Prabang Prices
Laos PricesNara Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuang Prabang $18Nara $111
The average daily cost (per person) in Luang Prabang is $18, while the average daily cost in Nara is $111. 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 Nara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuang Prabang $5.60Nara $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuang Prabang $11Nara $108
Compare Hotels in Luang Prabang and Nara
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang or Nara? 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 Nara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luang Prabang $2.07Nara $6.04
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 Nara?
Prices for flights to both Nara 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 $9.25Nara $51
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nara.
- Handmade Soba and Tempura Cooking Class in Nara: $49
- Udon and Tempura Cooking Class in Nara: $52
- Nara Personalized Half Day Food Tour with a Local Guide: $160
- Taste of Nara A Guided Half Day Food Tour Tailored to Your Taste: $160
- Full Day Nara E bike Tour and Osaka History Food Tour: $200
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Luang Prabang $2.66Nara $8.09
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 Nara
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nara are as follows:
- 2-day Kansai world ExTour I tour around Osaka,Kyoto,Nara,andUji: $221
- All must-sees in 3 hours - Nara Park Classic Tour! From JR Nara!: $45
- First Time Nara Tour UNESCO Sites with Lunch and Deer Feed: $83
- Gripped Sumi Ink Experience at a Historic Workshop in Nara: $23
- Half-Day Private Guided Tour to Nara City: $152
- Japan's Oldest Shrine & Nagashi Somen Walking Tour from Nara: $166
- Kyoto Matcha Green Tea Tour: $221
- Kyoto: Tea Museum and Tsuen Teahouse Guided Tour: $74
- Nara - Craft Beer, Sake & Food Walking Tour: $104
- Nara - Heart of Nature Cross Bike Tour: $290
- Nara - Highlights Bike Tour: $76
- Nara - Private Family Bike Tour: $207
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuang Prabang $1.78Nara $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luang Prabang and Nara, we can see that Nara is more expensive. And not only is Luang Prabang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Nara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nara 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 Nara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Luang Prabang or Nara?
Nara has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Luang Prabang. When comparing the sizes of Luang Prabang and Nara, 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 Nara?
Nara 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 Nara in the Summer?
Both Nara 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Nara for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Luang Prabang is around the same temperature as Nara. Typically, the summer temperatures in Luang Prabang in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Nara averages at about 27°C (80°F).
Nara 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 Nara. Luang Prabang gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Nara receives 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Nara 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Nara in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Luang Prabang and Nara. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Nara because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Luang Prabang is generally much warmer than Nara. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 26°C (79°F), and Nara fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
Nara receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Luang Prabang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Luang Prabang usually receives more rain than Nara. Luang Prabang gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Nara receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLuang Prabang 26°C (79°F)Nara 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Nara in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Luang Prabang as well as Nara. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nara this time of year.
It's quite cold in Nara in the winter. Luang Prabang is much warmer than Nara in the winter. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and Nara fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
Luang Prabang usually gets less rain in January than Nara. Luang Prabang gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Nara receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLuang Prabang 21°C (70°F)Nara 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Nara in the Spring?
Both Nara 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, many travelers come to Nara for the natural beauty.
In the spring, Luang Prabang is much warmer than Nara. Typically, the spring temperatures in Luang Prabang in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Nara averages at about 14°C (57°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nara. It's quite rainy in Luang Prabang. In April, Luang Prabang usually receives less rain than Nara. Luang Prabang gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Nara receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Nara 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Nara and Luang Prabang
| Luang Prabang | Nara | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 60 mm (2.3 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 128 mm (5.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 214 mm (8.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 186 mm (7.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.