Which place is cheaper, Railay Beach or Luang Prabang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Luang Prabang or Railay Beach?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Luang Prabang or Railay Beach, 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 Railay Beach?
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.
Railay Beach
If you're looking to scale great heights and add more achievements to your list during your vacation, consider a trip to the peninsula of Rai Leh, or more commonly Railay Bay or Railay Beach, in the Krabi region of Thailand. This swimming and rock climbing hotspot is known for its towering limestone peaks and gorgeous surrounding scenery.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuang Prabang $14Railay Beach $105
The average daily cost (per person) in Luang Prabang is $14, while the average daily cost in Railay Beach is $105. 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 Railay Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuang Prabang $5.72Railay Beach $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuang Prabang $11Railay Beach $126
Compare Hotels in Luang Prabang and Railay Beach
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang or Railay Beach? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luang Prabang $2.11Railay Beach $25
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Luang Prabang or Railay Beach?
Prices for flights to both Railay Beach 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 $5.47Railay Beach $22
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
Typical Food Prices in Railay Beach
Some typical examples of dining costs in Railay Beach are as follows:
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.46
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Pizza$4.64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Luang Prabang $2.72Railay Beach $23
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Railay Beach
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Railay Beach are as follows:
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Rock Climbing (for Two)$19
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuang Prabang $1.82Railay Beach $15
Typical Alcohol Prices in Railay Beach
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Railay Beach are as follows:
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Beer$1.64
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luang Prabang and Railay Beach, we can see that Railay Beach 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 Railay Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Railay Beach 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 Railay Beach Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Luang Prabang or Railay Beach?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Railay Beach in the Summer?
Both Railay Beach 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Railay Beach year-round.
August to October is the rainy season in Railay Beach. Railay Beach 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 less rain in July than Railay Beach. Luang Prabang gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
Luang Prabang is around the same temperature as Railay Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Railay Beach 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Railay Beach in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Luang Prabang and Railay Beach. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round. Railay Beach attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to March in Railay Beach is the dry season. Also, August to October is the rainy season in Railay Beach. Railay Beach 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 less rain than Railay Beach. Luang Prabang gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Luang Prabang is around the same temperature as Railay Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Luang Prabang in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Railay Beach averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLuang Prabang 26°C (79°F)Railay Beach 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Railay Beach in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Luang Prabang as well as Railay Beach. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Railay Beach throughout the year.
Also, December to March in Railay Beach is the dry season. Luang Prabang usually gets less rain in January than Railay Beach. Luang Prabang gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In January, Luang Prabang is generally cooler than Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 21°C (70°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLuang Prabang 21°C (70°F)Railay Beach 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Railay Beach in the Spring?
Both Railay Beach 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. Plenty of visitors come to Railay Beach because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Railay Beach. It's quite rainy in Luang Prabang. In April, Luang Prabang usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Luang Prabang gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Luang Prabang is around the same temperature as Railay Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Railay Beach 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Railay Beach and Luang Prabang
| Luang Prabang | Railay Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.