Which place is cheaper, Newcastle or Luang Prabang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Luang Prabang or Newcastle?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Luang Prabang or Newcastle, 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 Newcastle?
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.
Newcastle
Newcastle is 150 kilometers north of Sydney in New South Wales. It is also the second largest city in the state, and serves as a central point to explore the area's beaches, wineries, and beautiful natural landscape. North of the city is Stockton beach, which has many miles of isolated, beautiful beaches, stretching all the way up to Nelson Bay. The wineries are inland to the west and have some of Australia's finest wine which you can taste. If you want to see rainforests, you can head northwest to Barrington Tops National Park, which has great rainforests and freshwater streams. You may even get to see a platypus. The city also has the country's oldest sea port. In the past the city's economy was centered around the steel industry, but today the University of Newcastle is one of the area's most important employers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuang Prabang $14Newcastle $91
The average daily cost (per person) in Luang Prabang is $14, while the average daily cost in Newcastle is $91. 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 Newcastle in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuang Prabang $5.72Newcastle $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuang Prabang $11Newcastle $88
Compare Hotels in Luang Prabang and Newcastle
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang or Newcastle? 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 Newcastle Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luang Prabang $2.11Newcastle $8.34
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$2.36
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: $29
- Private Transfer from Tortola island to Tortola Cruise Port: $81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Newcastle
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Newcastle:
- Bimbadgen Lunch Tour with Helicopter Transfers: $751
- Tandem Beach Skydive with Optional Transfers: $248
- Private Transfer from Newcastle Cruise Port to Sydney City Hotels: $88
- Private Transfer - Newcastle Cruise Port to Sydney Airport (SYD): $88
- Private Transfer from Newcastle Port to Newcastle Airport (NTL): $29
- Private Transfer from Newcastle Airport (NTL) to Newcastle Port: $29
- Private Transfer from Newcastle City Hotels to Newcastle Port: $28
- Private Transfer from Newcastle Port to Newcastle city hotels: $28
- Newcastle to Newcastle Airport (NTL) - Departure Private Transfer: $26
- Newcastle Airport (NTL) to Newcastle - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
Is it cheaper to fly into Luang Prabang or Newcastle?
Prices for flights to both Newcastle 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 $5.47Newcastle $35
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
- Evening Bamboo weaving & Cooking classes join-in: $47
- Mekong Sunset Cruise and Hot Pot Dinner: $50
- Luang Prabang Mekong Sunset Cruise and Hot Pot Dinner: $51
- Evening Cooking Class & Local Baci Ceremony: $51
- Laos Cooking Class in Luang Prabang: $55
- Cooking Class: $55
- Luang Prabang Evening food tour by Tuktuk: $56
- Luang Prabang Evening Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $57
- Luang Prabang Evening Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk : $58
- Full Day bamboo experience with cooking class & Kuang si waterfalls: $59
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Luang Prabang $2.72Newcastle $15
Tours and Activities in Luang Prabang
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.
- Small Group Half Day Luang Prabang city tour: $30
- UNESCO World Heritage City Highlights Tour: $32
- Sunset Cruise Luang Prabang: $35
- Luang Prabang Mountain Bike Cycling Tour: $39
- Guided Meditation Experience in Luang Prabang: $40
- Luang Prabang Foodie Walking Tour and Monk Blessing: $40
- Morning local food Market experience option waterfall tour: $40
- Full day / Half Day Kayaking and Pak Ou Caves with optional sunset cruise: $41
- From Guided Mountain Bike Tour with Lunch: $42
- Luang Prabang City Tour & Kuang Si Waterfalls: $42
- Kayak Tour to Pak Ou Caves: $43
- Sunset Cruise in Luang Prabang with Live Performance: $45
Tours and Activities in Newcastle
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Newcastle are as follows:
- 3- Hour Wine and Harvest the Hunter Horse Tour in Pokolbin: $92
- 3-Hour Hunter Valley Scenic Helicopter Tour Including 3-Course Lunch from Cessnock: $256
- Architecture, Street Art & Hidden Secrets Walking Tour of Newcastle: $33
- Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard - Sweet Indulgence Experience: $37
- Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard: Fromage and Fortified Wine Experience: $50
- Award Winning Full Day Wine and Food Experience: $150
- Eat And Drink Newcastle History Walking Tour: $60
- Family Pass: Fighter World Museum Admission Ticket: $30
- From Hunter Valley Beer & Wine Group Tour: $163
- Full Day Tour in Country Towns, Rivers and Aussie Farm: $160
- Helicopter Tour of Hunter Valley in New South Wales with Lunch: $283
- Humpback Whale Encounter Tour from Newcastle: $83
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuang Prabang $1.82Newcastle $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Newcastle
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Newcastle:
- Cael’s Gate Wine Tasting in Broke: $5.32
- Ivanhoe Wines: Trip Advisor Seated Wine Tasting Masterclass: $9.97
- Tulloch Wines - Wine Tasting paired with Local Handmade Chocolates: $20
- 30-Minute Distillery Guided Tour in Carrington : $23
- Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $26
- Tintilla Estate: Wine Tasting with a Meat and Cheese Platter: $27
- Tulloch Wines Hunter Heroes Wine Tasting with Local Cheese & Charcuterie Board: $33
- Tulloch Wines- Mystery Wine Tasting Experience with Local Cheese and Charcuterie: $33
- Premium Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $50
- Snapshot Half Day Hunter Valley Wine Tour: $72
- Hunter Valley Wine Tour from the Hunter with Wine Craft Beer Cheese Chocolate: $102
- Half Day Wine Tour with Light Lunch at Hunter Valley: $106
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luang Prabang and Newcastle, we can see that Newcastle 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 Newcastle 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 Newcastle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Newcastle 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 Newcastle Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Luang Prabang or Newcastle?
Newcastle has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Luang Prabang. When comparing the sizes of Luang Prabang and Newcastle, 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 Newcastle?
Newcastle 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 Newcastle in the Summer?
Both Newcastle 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. Also, most visitors come to Newcastle for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Luang Prabang is generally a little warmer than Newcastlein January. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 28°C (82°F), and Newcastle fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
Newcastle 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 Newcastlein January. Luang Prabang gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Newcastle 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Newcastle in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Luang Prabang and Newcastle. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Newcastle because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.
Luang Prabang is a little warmer than Newcastle in the autumn. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Newcastle fluctuates around 19°C (67°F)in April.
Newcastle 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 Newcastlein April. Luang Prabang gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilLuang Prabang 26°C (79°F)Newcastle 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Newcastle in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Luang Prabang as well as Newcastle. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Newcastle this time of year.
In the winter, Luang Prabang is much warmer than Newcastle. Typically, the winter temperatures in Luang Prabang in January average around 21°C (70°F), and Newcastle averages at about 13°C (55°F)in July.
Luang Prabang usually gets less rain in January than Newcastlein July. Luang Prabang gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyLuang Prabang 21°C (70°F)Newcastle 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Newcastle in the Spring?
Both Newcastle 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 Newcastle for the beaches and the activities around the city.
In April, Luang Prabang is generally much warmer than Newcastlein October. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 28°C (82°F), and Newcastle fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It's quite rainy in Luang Prabang. In April, Luang Prabang usually receives more rain than Newcastlein October. Luang Prabang gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Newcastle 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Newcastle and Luang Prabang
| Luang Prabang | Newcastle | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 82 mm (3.2 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.