Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Luang Prabang or Rio de Janeiro, 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 Rio de Janeiro?
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.
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is the most popular travel destination in Brazil. It is the second largest city in Brazil and the sixth largest in the Americas. A portion of the city has been designated a World Heritage Site. It's also famous for Carnival, it's gorgeous beaches, and world-famous landmarks. Rio's appeal as a travel destination is apparent year round due to the great weather and plenty of fun activities. The city has a wonderful natural harbor that is surrounded by Sugar Loaf Mountain, Corcovado Peak, and the hills of Tijuca, creating an absolutely breathtaking and awe-inspiring setting.
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 Jungle Trekking Tours in Brazil, and The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil.
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Luang Prabang Prices
Laos PricesRio de Janeiro Prices
Brazil Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuang Prabang $17Rio de Janeiro $118
The average daily cost (per person) in Luang Prabang is $17, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is $118. 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 Rio de Janeiro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuang Prabang $5.42Rio de Janeiro $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuang Prabang $11Rio de Janeiro $130
Compare Hotels in Luang Prabang and Rio de Janeiro
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang or Rio de Janeiro? 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 Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luang Prabang $2.00Rio de Janeiro $7.83
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$2.23
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
- LPQ Airport: Private Transfer to/from Luang Prabang City: $20
- Luang Prabang 2 Day Slow Boat Transfer to Houay Xay: $69
- Luang Prabang 2 Days Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $165
- Luang Prabang Private Airport transfers: $9.00
- Luang Prabang Private Transfers: Hotel -Railway Station - Airport: $9.60
- 2-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $165
- 2D Transfer to Huay Xai by Slow Boat: $60
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:
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Taxi Ride$2.88
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- Private Departure Transfer from Rio de Janeiro to RIOgaleão - Tom Jobim Airport: $294
- TRANSFER ISLAND GRANDE Ground Transportation + Fast Boat: $292
- Private Transfer | Round Trip: $250
- Museum of Tomorrow - | Round Trip Transfer + 2 Tickets: $250
- Rio Art Museum | Round Trip Transfer + 2 Tickets: $250
- Transfer service from / to Rio de Janeiro / Paraty: $248
- Private transfer from Rio de Janeiro x Angra dos Reis (4 max): $246
- Transfer Airports RJ x Hotel Fasano Angra: $246
- TRANSFER - CLUB MED Rio: $244
- Original Historic Coffee Farm Guided Tour with Transfer: $220
- Private Transfer Bilingual Rio X Armor of Búzios: $204
- Buzios Private Transfer to and from Rio de Janeiro: $200
Is it cheaper to fly into Luang Prabang or Rio de Janeiro?
Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro 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 $8.95Rio de Janeiro $34
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
- Day-time Bamboo weaving & Cooking Classes join-in: $44
- Bamboo Weaving Workshop & Cooking Class: $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
- Home-cooked dinner & Baci ceremony with Villagers in Ban Nasang: $52
Typical Food Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rio de Janeiro:
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Popcorn$0.58
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Corn on the Cob$0.77
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Hamburger$0.96
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rio de Janeiro
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rio de Janeiro.
- Rio de Janeiro Market Food Tour and Local Tasting Experience: $69
- Guided Dinner in Rio at a Restaurant of Your Choice: $70
- Rio de Janeiro Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $79
- Rio: Copacabana Food Tour with 7 Tastings and Local Flavors: $81
- Roxy Dinner Show: That Embrace Show: $81
- Hands-On Cooking Class in Rio: Iconic Street Foods & Caipirinhas: $85
- Rio Roots Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $89
- Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $92
- Cooking Class in Rio with 9 Recipes & Unlimited Caipirinhas: $95
- Roxy Show - Brazilian Rhythms with optional Barbecue Dinner: $105
- Ginga Tropical Folklore Show with Optional Dinner and Transfers: $107
- Brazilian Dinner Show: Cultural Experience in Rio de Janeiro: $115
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Luang Prabang $2.58Rio de Janeiro $21
Tours and Activities in Luang Prabang
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.
- Luang Prabang to Train Station Shared Minivan Ticket Or Private: $5.00
- Luang Prabang to Kuang Si Waterfalls Shared Minivan Ticket: $8.00
- Farm Tour and Buffalo Buffet Adventure: $9.00
- Laos–China Railway: Easy Train Tickets, No Queues, No Worries: $12
- Laos Buffalo Dairy Tours Interact, Learn and Taste Fresh Flavors: $14
- Audio-Guided City Tour in Electric Car: $14
- Luang Prabang Half Day Tour with Mekong River Sunset Cruise: $29
- Laos Railway: Train Tickets Easily - Skip the Lines - No worries: $30
- Small Group Half Day Luang Prabang city tour: $30
- Morning Alms Giving Ceremony and Local Market Experience: $31
- Sunset Cruise Luang Prabang: $35
- Unwind with a Sunset Cruise on the Mekong River: $35
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day Discovery Tour NO Rio DE Janeiro: $69
- 1 day tour Rio de Janeiro to Christ and Cable car and much more: $123
- 2 Day Tour from Rio de Janeiro, Corcovado and Arraial do Cabo: $206
- 2 Days Tour in City Tour Express and Arraial do Cabo: $194
- 3 Hour Rocinha Favela Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $48
- 4-Hour Guided Kayak Experience in Rio de Janeiro: $75
- 4-Hour Private Guided Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $95
- 4-hour Sum-up Of Rio de Janeiro "Private Tour" – Optional Airport & Port Pick-up: $149
- 4x4 Jeep Jungle Tour Rio de Janeiro: $52
- 5-Hour Rio's Essential Sights: Private Tour – Optional Airport & Port Pick-ups: $154
- 8 Hour Private Tour by Car in Rio de Janeiro: $276
- 8-hour Rio Overview Private Tour optional Airport, Port Pickups: $231
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuang Prabang $1.72Rio de Janeiro $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rio de Janeiro:
- Lapa by Night: Samba, Cachaça & The Ultimate Rio Pub Crawl: $30
- Petropolis City Tour with Imperial Museum and Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $47
- Rio Pub Crawl with Caipirinhas & Bar Bites: $95
- Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains: $110
- Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $182
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luang Prabang and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro is in South 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 Rio de Janeiro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Luang Prabang or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Luang Prabang. When comparing the sizes of Luang Prabang and Rio de Janeiro, 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 Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Luang Prabang as well as Rio de Janeiro. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Rio de Janeiro for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Luang Prabang is generally around the same temperature as Rio de Janeiroin January. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 28°C (82°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. Luang Prabang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Luang Prabang usually gets more rain in July than Rio de Janeiroin January. Luang Prabang gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Luang Prabang are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luang Prabang throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Rio de Janeiro in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Luang Prabang is around the same temperature as Rio de Janeiro in the autumn. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in April.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. It's quite rainy in Luang Prabang. In October, Luang Prabang usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin April. Luang Prabang gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Rio de Janeiro is May to November. The rainy season in Rio de Janeiro is December to April.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilLuang Prabang 26°C (79°F)Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Luang Prabang during the winter 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 Rio de Janeiro for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Luang Prabang is around the same temperature as Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the winter temperatures in Luang Prabang in January average around 21°C (70°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 21°C (70°F)in July.
Luang Prabang usually gets less rain in January than Rio de Janeiroin July. Luang Prabang gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyLuang Prabang 21°C (70°F)Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Luang Prabang and Rio de Janeiro. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Rio de Janeiro because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In April, Luang Prabang is generally a little warmer than Rio de Janeiroin October. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 28°C (82°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Luang Prabang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Luang Prabang usually receives more rain than Rio de Janeiroin October. Luang Prabang gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. May to November in Rio de Janeiro is the dry season. Also, December to April is the rainy season in Rio de Janeiro.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Luang Prabang
| Luang Prabang | Rio de Janeiro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 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.