Which place is cheaper, Saint John 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 Saint John?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Luang Prabang or Saint John, 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 Saint John?
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.
Saint John
With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.
This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos.
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Luang Prabang Prices
Laos PricesSaint John Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuang Prabang $18Saint John $233
The average daily cost (per person) in Luang Prabang is $18, while the average daily cost in Saint John is $233. 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 Saint John in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuang Prabang $5.60Saint John $106
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuang Prabang $11Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Luang Prabang and Saint John
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang or Saint John? 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 $2.07Saint John $49
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:
- From 3-Day Oudomxay Town Trip with Transfers: $580
- LPQ Airport: Private Transfer to/from Luang Prabang City: $20
- Luang Prabang Private Airport transfers: $9.00
- 2-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $165
- 2D Transfer to Huay Xai by Slow Boat: $60
Is it cheaper to fly into Luang Prabang or Saint John?
Prices for flights to both Saint John 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 $9.25Saint John $97
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 $2.66Saint John $23
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 Saint John
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuang Prabang $1.78Saint John $44
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luang Prabang and Saint John, we can see that Saint John 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 Saint John is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Saint John would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John 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 Saint John Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Luang Prabang or Saint John?
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 Saint John in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Luang Prabang as well as Saint John. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.
Luang Prabang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Luang Prabang usually gets more rain in July than Saint John. Luang Prabang gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Luang Prabang is around the same temperature as Saint John in the summer. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Saint John 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Saint John in the Autumn?
Both Saint John 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. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John. It's quite rainy in Luang Prabang. In October, Luang Prabang usually receives less rain than Saint John. Luang Prabang gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Luang Prabang is around the same temperature as Saint John. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Luang Prabang in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Saint John averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLuang Prabang 26°C (79°F)Saint John 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Saint John in the Winter?
Both Saint John 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.
Luang Prabang usually gets less rain in January than Saint John. Luang Prabang gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In January, Luang Prabang is generally cooler than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 21°C (70°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLuang Prabang 21°C (70°F)Saint John 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Saint John in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Luang Prabang and Saint John. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Luang Prabang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Luang Prabang usually receives more rain than Saint John. Luang Prabang gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Luang Prabang is around the same temperature as Saint John in the spring. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Saint John 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John and Luang Prabang
| Luang Prabang | Saint John | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.