Which place is cheaper, Porto 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 Porto?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Luang Prabang or Porto, 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 Porto?
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.
Porto
Porto is the second largest city in Portugal. It is also the capital of the Northern Region and a hub for commercial and industrial activity. The city is not as large as you might expect, with a population of only about 300,000 residents, but the metropolitan area has a population of about 2.5 million. This includes nearby cities such as Gaia, Matosinhos, Maia and Gondomar.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal.
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Luang Prabang Prices
Laos PricesPorto Prices
Portugal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuang Prabang $17Porto $179
The average daily cost (per person) in Luang Prabang is $17, while the average daily cost in Porto is $179. 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 Porto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuang Prabang $5.40Porto $81
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuang Prabang $11Porto $162
Compare Hotels in Luang Prabang and Porto
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang or Porto? 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 Porto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luang Prabang $1.99Porto $23
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:
- From 3-Day Oudomxay Town Trip with Transfers: $580
- Luang Prang 1 Day with Laos Railway Private Transfer: $180
- 2-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $165
- Luang Prabang 2 Day Slow Boat Transfer to Houay Xay: $68
- 2D Transfer to Huay Xai by Slow Boat: $60
- LPQ Airport: Private Transfer to/from Luang Prabang City: $20
- Luang Prabang Private Airport transfers: $9.00
- Luang Prabang Private Transfers: Hotel -Railway Station - Airport: $8.40
- Shared departure transfer from Hotel to International airport: $6.67
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Porto
Also for Porto, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer from Santiago de Compostela to Oporto: $544
- Private Transfer Between Porto Airport or Porto City and Coimbra: $299
- Private Transfer from Porto to Lisbon: $297
- Porto Airport: Transfer to/from Coimbra Center: $291
- Porto to Vigo Private Door-to-Door Chauffeured Car Transfer: $286
- Private Transfer from/to Porto - Lisbon: $285
- Porto to/from Douro Valley (1-8 pax) Private Transfer in Mercedes: $285
- Private Transfer from Porto to Lisbon - Direct or up to 4 Stops: $285
- Private Transfer from Porto to Lisbon with Fátima Stop: $283
- Private Transfer Between Porto Airport or Porto City and Lamego: $281
- Private Transfer Between Porto Airport or Porto City and Pinhão: $280
- Private Transfer Between Porto Airport or Porto City and Régua: $277
Is it cheaper to fly into Luang Prabang or Porto?
Prices for flights to both Porto 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 $8.92Porto $71
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:
- The Namkhan - Kids Cooking Class: $40
- Bamboo Weaving Workshop & Cooking Class: $44
- Day-time Bamboo weaving & Cooking Classes join-in: $44
- Cooking Class at the Former Royal Palace: $45
- Luangprabang: Dinner with Lao Traditional Dance Performance: $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
- Luang Prabang Essentials Food Tour: $54
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Porto
For Porto, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Pastel de Nata Cooking Class with Porto Wine (Sé do Porto): $40
- Pastel de Nata Cooking Class with Porto Wine (Lapa): $40
- Porto Food Tour Market Tapas and Port Wine Cellar Experience: $69
- Dinner with Fado and Portuguese Traditional Music: $69
- Bolhão Market Guided Food Tour: $74
- Taste of the Ocean Authentic Porto Seafood Tour: $80
- Fabulist Food Tour: $80
- Authentic Porto Small Group Food Tour with Local Tastings: $85
- Porto Food Tour: $86
- Small Group Porto Food Tour Traditional Taverns and Local Dishes: $86
- Shopping, cooking and eating together at my home in Porto: $86
- Porto Food Tour with Craft Beer by Taste Porto (since 2013): $86
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Luang Prabang $2.57Porto $28
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 Shared Group City Tour: $214
- Classic Tour in Luang Prabang: $90
- Classic tour in Luang Prabang (Private): $243
- Cultural Heart of Laos Private Tour in Luang Prabang: $253
- 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 Mekong River Kayaking and Pak Ou Caves Adventure: $196
Tours and Activities in Porto
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Porto.
- 1 Day Tour to Douro Valley from Porto: $217
- 1 Day Tour to Passages and Bridge 516 Arouca: $103
- 19th Century metal portrait an unique experience Porto-Portugal: $69
- 3 Hour Dutch or English Guided E-Bike Tour of Porto's Highlights: $48
- 3 Hour Old Town Riverside Bike Tour Guided Experience in Porto: $33
- 3 Hour Porto Highlights on a Electric Bike Guided Tour: $33
- 3-Hour Cano-Rafting Tour on the Paiva River: $52
- 3-Hour Private Walking Tour of Porto: $86
- 3D Fun Art Museum Porto Ticket: $15
- 3h30 tour in Porto by Tuk Tuk: $112
- 50-Minute Douro River Cruise with Panoramic Views: $23
- 516 Arouca Bridge & Paiva Walkways Tour with Lunch from Porto: $132
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuang Prabang $1.72Porto $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Porto
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Porto:
- 1 Demarcation Museum Tickets and Port Wine Tasting: $5.73
- Crazy Pub Crawl with 9 Drinks, Free Shots, Wild Games +VIP: $16
- 4-hour Guided Porto Pub Crawl with 6 drinks and VIP CLUBentry: $21
- Port & Wine Experience Museum with 3 Wine Tastings: $23
- Pub Crawl Porto: $24
- Porto Winery Visit and Port Wine Tasting with Pastel de Nata: $26
- Poças Guided Visit and Wine Tasting of 3 Port Wines: $26
- Poças Guided Visit and Wine Tasting of 2 DOC Douro & 1 Port Wine: $26
- Classic Wine Tasting with GUIDED TOUR: $29
- Porto Halloween Pub Crawl 4 bars + 1 club, Scary Games & 7 Drinks: $29
- Port : Cockburn's Port Lodge Tour & Main Room Wine Tasting: $30
- Matriarca Cellar Shop: Wine Tasting: $34
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luang Prabang and Porto, we can see that Porto 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 Porto 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 Porto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Porto 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 Porto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Luang Prabang or Porto?
Porto has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Luang Prabang. When comparing the sizes of Luang Prabang and Porto, 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 Porto?
Porto 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 Porto in the Summer?
Both Porto and Luang Prabang are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luang Prabang throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Porto because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Luang Prabang is a little warmer than Porto in the summer. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Porto fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).
It's quite rainy in Luang Prabang. In July, Luang Prabang usually receives more rain than Porto. Luang Prabang gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Porto receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Porto 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Porto in the Autumn?
Both Porto and Luang Prabang during the autumn 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 city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Porto this time of year.
In the autumn, Luang Prabang is much warmer than Porto. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Luang Prabang in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Porto averages at about 17°C (62°F).
Porto 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 around the same amount of rain in October as Porto. Luang Prabang gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Porto receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLuang Prabang 26°C (79°F)Porto 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Porto in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Luang Prabang and Porto. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round. Also, many travelers come to Porto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Luang Prabang is generally much warmer than Porto. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 21°C (70°F), and Porto fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
Porto receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Luang Prabang usually receives less rain than Porto. Luang Prabang gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Porto receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLuang Prabang 21°C (70°F)Porto 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Porto in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Luang Prabang as well as Porto. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Porto in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Luang Prabang is much warmer than Porto in the spring. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Porto fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).
It's quite rainy in Porto. Luang Prabang receives a lot of rain in the spring. Luang Prabang usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Porto. Luang Prabang gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Porto receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Porto 14°C (56°F)
Typical Weather for Porto and Luang Prabang
| Luang Prabang | Porto | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 176 mm (6.9 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.