Which place is cheaper, New York City 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 New York City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Luang Prabang or New York City, 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 New York City?
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.
New York City
The most populated city in the United States, New York City, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River and encompasses both the island of Manhattan as well as the surrounding land on Long Island, most of which is known as Brooklyn. It's a cultural, culinary, theatrical, and art center that has much to offer domestic and international travelers alike. The city covers an area of 305 square miles and has a population of about 8.2 million people in the city proper with 18.7 million in the metropolitan area.
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 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.
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Luang Prabang Prices
Laos PricesNew York City Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuang Prabang $17New York City $363
The average daily cost (per person) in Luang Prabang is $17, while the average daily cost in New York City is $363. 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 New York City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuang Prabang $5.40New York City $175
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuang Prabang $11New York City $350
Compare Hotels in Luang Prabang and New York City
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang or New York City? 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 New York City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luang Prabang $1.99New York City $49
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$2.22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luang Prabang
Also for Luang Prabang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared departure transfer from Hotel to International airport: $6.67
- 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: $8.40
- 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: $68
- LPQ Airport: Private Transfer to/from Luang Prabang City: $20
- From 3-Day Oudomxay Town Trip with Transfers: $580
Typical Local Transportation Prices in New York City
Some typical examples of transportation costs in New York City are as follows:
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Subway$4.50
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Taxi Ride$8.00
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Subway$2.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in New York City
Also for New York City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- New York’s Airport (JFK) to Providence Arrival Private Transfer: $299
- Skip the line One World Observatory Private Tour with Transfers: $296
- Newark To Manhattan Private Transfer in SUV, Limousine or Van: $290
- New York J.F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) to Baltimore City - Arrival Private Transfer: $288
- New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Philadelphia - Arrival Private Transfer: $288
- Private Transfer from or to New York to EWR Airport or vice versa: $280
- Private SUV New York City Airport Departure Transfer: $275
- Newark Intl Airport (EWR) to Cape Liberty Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $269
- New York City Airport Arrival Transfer by Sprinter LGA JFK EWR: $260
- New York City Airport Departure Transfer by Sprinter LGA JFK EWR: $250
- Private EWR Airport transfer / New York City (One Way): $210
- Newark Airport Transfer (EWR) to New York City: $200
Is it cheaper to fly into Luang Prabang or New York City?
Prices for flights to both New York City 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 $8.92New York City $87
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:
- Bamboo Weaving Workshop & Cooking Class: $44
- Day-time Bamboo weaving & Cooking Classes join-in: $44
- Prabang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Mekong Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Cooking Class at the Former Royal Palace: $45
- Luangprabang: Dinner with Lao Traditional Dance Performance: $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
- Luang Prabang Essentials Food Tour: $54
- Luang Prabang Mekong Sunset Cruise and Hot Pot Dinner: $55
Typical Food Prices in New York City
For New York City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Gelato$7.50
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Snacks for Two at Yankees Game$34
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Coffee$6.53
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Smoothie$6.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in New York City
For New York City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- New York Union Square Sweetest Food Tour: Choose Your Own Donuts: $35
- NYC Haunted History and Ghost Tour with Pizza: $39
- Bensonhurst Food Tour: $45
- Central Park Cafe: Scenic Lunch & Dinner Experience in NYC: $50
- NYC Chinatown & Little Italy Food Tour Full Portions, Great Value: $59
- Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO Food Tour: Local Eats & Iconic Views: $59
- New York City's Best Pizza tour - You be the judge!: $68
- NYC: Flushing Chinatown Food Tour – Eat Like a Local: $69
- East Village Food Tour: $70
- Greenwich Village & SoHo Pizza Walk: $75
- New York Times Square Food Tour: Delicious Donuts & Sweet Treats: $75
- Brooklyn Pizza Walk: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Luang Prabang $2.57New York City $180
Tours and Activities in Luang Prabang
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.
- 1 Day Mekong Pak Ou Caves Kuang Si Waterfalls Local Villages Tour: $80
- 6Days 5Nigths Luang Prabang city tour & Mekong River Cruise: $800
- 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
- Cultural Heart of Laos Private Tour in Luang Prabang: $253
- Cultural Treasures of Luang Prabang Group Exploration Tour: $214
- Experience Lao Authentic Cuisine at the Former Royal Palace: $55
- From 8-Day Laos Tour with Accommodation: $1,241
- From Guided Mountain Bike Tour with Lunch: $42
- From Luang Namtha Hill Tribe Tour: $540
- Full Day Group Adventure to Pak Ou Caves and Kuang Si Waterfall: $255
Typical Entertainment Prices in New York City
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New York City's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Comedy Show Tickets$56
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City Map$8.00
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Broadway Musical$111
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Broadway Show Program$10
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Magazine$6.99
Tours and Activities in New York City
For New York City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- & Juliet on Broadway Ticket: $90
- "International Express" 7 Train Ultimate Authentic NYC Experience: $55
- 1 Day Tour to Philadelphia and Hershey's Chocolate World: $250
- 1 Hour Private Guided Tour: $50
- 1-Day New York City Tour: Liberty Cruise & One World Observatory: $168
- 1-Day New York In-Depth Tour: $130
- 1-Day New York Insider Tour: $180
- 10+ stops Central Park Pedicab Tour Customizable Landmarks: $250
- 2 Hours Private Guided Tour: $100
- 2 hour Metropolitan Museum of Art Chinese Guided Tour: $103
- 2-Hour NYC Golden Hour Sunset Cruise: $38
- 2-Hour Small Group Central Park Bike Tour: $119
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Things to do in New York City with Kids, Things to Do in Central Park in NYC, and The Best Museums in New York City.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuang Prabang $1.72New York City $29
Sample the Local Flavors in New York City
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New York City:
- Brooklyn Distillery Tour: $22
- New York Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- NYC Pub Crawl Tour: $30
- Top Shelf Distillery Tour: $33
- Wicked City Burlesque Show Admission: $33
- NYC Pub Crawl & Rooftop Clubbing Experience: $34
- NYC Pub Crawl: Midtown/Times Square VIP Access & Prof Photos: $45
- Broadway Prohibition Pub Crawl: $64
- East Village Gangster Ghost Pub Crawl: $64
- Underground Brooklyn Walking Brewery Tour: $99
- Full day Long Island Brewery Tour: $150
- Private Pub Crawl with a Local: $175
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luang Prabang and New York City, we can see that New York City 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 New York City is in North 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 New York City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New York City 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 New York City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Luang Prabang or New York City?
New York City has a larger population, and is about 170 times larger than the population of Luang Prabang. When comparing the sizes of Luang Prabang and New York City, 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 New York City?
New York City 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 New York City in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Luang Prabang and New York City. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to New York City in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Luang Prabang is a little warmer than New York City in the summer. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and New York City fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
New York City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Luang Prabang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Luang Prabang usually receives more rain than New York City. Luang Prabang gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while New York City receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)New York City 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or New York City in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Luang Prabang as well as New York City. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to New York City for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Luang Prabang is much warmer than New York City. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Luang Prabang in October average around 26°C (79°F), and New York City averages at about 57°F (14°C).
Luang Prabang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Luang Prabang usually gets more rain in October than New York City. Luang Prabang gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLuang Prabang 26°C (79°F)New York City 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or New York City in the Winter?
Both New York City 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, the winter months attract visitors to New York City because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
The weather in New York City can be very cold. In January, Luang Prabang is generally much warmer than New York City. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 21°C (70°F), and New York City fluctuates around 31°F (-1°C).
In January, Luang Prabang usually receives less rain than New York City. Luang Prabang gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLuang Prabang 21°C (70°F)New York City 31°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or New York City in the Spring?
Both New York City 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. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to New York City this time of year.
Luang Prabang is much warmer than New York City in the spring. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and New York City fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang usually gets more rain in April than New York City. Luang Prabang gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)New York City 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for New York City and Luang Prabang
| Luang Prabang | New York City | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 33°F (1°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 36°F (2°C) | 3.4 inches (88 mm) |
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.