Which place is cheaper, Sado 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 Sado?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Luang Prabang or Sado, 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 Sado?
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.
Sado
Sado Island, Japan is located just off the coast of Niigata and is an old gold mining town that has since developed into a quiet summer holiday destination. The island is home to two mountain ranges, O-Sado in the north and Ko-sado in the south, with the popular Kuninaka plain in between the mountain ranges. With the remoteness of the island, it has become a popular destination for tourists to experience old Japan and get away from the busy mainland.
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 Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.
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Luang Prabang Prices
Laos PricesSado Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuang Prabang $18Sado $82
The average daily cost (per person) in Luang Prabang is $18, while the average daily cost in Sado is $82. 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 Sado in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuang Prabang $5.60Sado $31
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuang Prabang $11Sado $62
Compare Hotels in Luang Prabang and Sado
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang or Sado? 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 Sado Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luang Prabang $2.07Sado $14
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$2.31
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: $20
- 2D Transfer to Huay Xai by Slow Boat: $60
- 2-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $165
- From 3-Day Oudomxay Town Trip with Transfers: $580
Is it cheaper to fly into Luang Prabang or Sado?
Prices for flights to both Sado 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 $9.25Sado $42
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:
- Luang Prabang Local Market and Morning Food Tour with Drinks: $39
- Bamboo Weaving Workshop & Cooking Class: $44
- Day-time Bamboo weaving & Cooking Classes join-in: $44
- Luangprabang: Dinner with Lao Traditional Dance Performance: $45
- Mekong Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Cooking Class at the Former Royal Palace: $45
- Prabang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Mekong Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $46
- Laos: Prabang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $46
- Evening Bamboo weaving & Cooking classes join-in: $47
- Mekong Sunset Cruise & Lao Tasting Dinner: $49
- Evening Cooking Class & Local Baci Ceremony: $51
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Luang Prabang $2.66Sado $8.74
Tours and Activities in Luang Prabang
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.
- Shuttle Bus ticket to Kuang Si Waterfalls: $8.00
- Farm Tour and Buffalo Buffet Adventure: $9.00
- Audio-Guided City Tour in Electric Car: $14
- Laos Railway: Train Tickets Easily - Skip the Lines - No worries : $30
- Kuang Si Waterfalls and Hmong Village Half-Day Tour: $30
- Small Group Half Day Luang Prabang city tour: $30
- UNESCO World Heritage City Highlights Tour: $35
- Unwind with a Sunset Cruise on the Mekong River: $35
- Afternoon Kuang Si Waterfalls & Sunset Cruise: $35
- Sunset Cruise Luang Prabang: $35
- Full day / Half Day Kayaking and Pak Ou Caves with optional sunset cruise: $41
- From Guided Mountain Bike Tour with Lunch: $42
Tours and Activities in Sado
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sado are as follows:
- Sado Island Highlights: 3-Hour Bike Tour: $84
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuang Prabang $1.78Sado $69
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luang Prabang and Sado, we can see that Sado 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 Sado would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sado 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 Sado Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Luang Prabang or Sado?
Sado 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 Sado in the Summer?
Both Sado 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Sado for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Luang Prabang is a little warmer than Sado in the summer. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Sado fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
Sado 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 Sado. Luang Prabang gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Sado receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Sado 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Sado in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Luang Prabang and Sado. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Sado because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Luang Prabang is much warmer than Sado. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Luang Prabang in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Sado averages at about 16°C (60°F).
Sado 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 around the same amount of rain as Sado. Luang Prabang gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Sado receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLuang Prabang 26°C (79°F)Sado 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Sado in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Luang Prabang as well as Sado. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sado this time of year.
It's quite cold in Sado in the winter. In January, Luang Prabang is generally much warmer than Sado. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 21°C (70°F), and Sado fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
It's quite rainy in Sado. Luang Prabang usually gets less rain in January than Sado. Luang Prabang gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Sado receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLuang Prabang 21°C (70°F)Sado 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Sado in the Spring?
Both Sado 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.
Luang Prabang is much warmer than Sado in the spring. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Sado fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sado. It's quite rainy in Luang Prabang. In April, Luang Prabang usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sado. Luang Prabang gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Sado receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Sado 10°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Sado and Luang Prabang
| Luang Prabang | Sado | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 162 mm (6.4 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.