Which place is cheaper, Seoul or Luang Prabang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Luang Prabang or Seoul, 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.
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.
With a population of more than 11 million, Seoul is easily the largest city in South Korea. It is also the financial, political, and cultural capital of the country and has much to offer open minded travelers. It is often overlooked by travelers who instead head to Tokyo or Shanghai, but Seoul has a wide range of cultural experiences, food options, and historical sights. Seoul is a city of contrasts with ancient traditions, flashy technology, religious temples and a modern youth culture. It is also more affordable than many of the other Asian metropolis' to which it is often compared. If you're looking for an interesting and different experience that is a little off the tourist trail, Seoul can definitely offer that opportunity.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, and The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Luang Prabang is $14, while the average daily cost in Seoul is $107. 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 Seoul in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang or Seoul? 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.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Luang Prabang are as follows:
Also for Luang Prabang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Seoul:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seoul:
Prices for flights to both Seoul 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.
For Luang Prabang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seoul are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seoul.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Seoul are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seoul are as follows:
Also in Seoul, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luang Prabang and Seoul, we can see that Seoul 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 Seoul would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seoul 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 Seoul Expensive?.
Seoul has a larger population, and is about 220 times larger than the population of Luang Prabang. When comparing the sizes of Luang Prabang and Seoul, 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.
Seoul has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Luang Prabang experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Both Seoul 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. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Seoul because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Luang Prabang is around the same temperature as Seoul. Typically, the summer temperatures in Luang Prabang in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Seoul averages at about 26°C (78°F).
Seoul 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 Seoul. Luang Prabang gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 369 mm (14.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Luang Prabang and Seoul. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Seoul this time of year.
In October, Luang Prabang is generally much warmer than Seoul. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 26°C (79°F), and Seoul fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
Luang Prabang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Luang Prabang usually receives more rain than Seoul. Luang Prabang gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Luang Prabang as well as Seoul. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Seoul for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Seoul. Luang Prabang is much warmer than Seoul in the winter. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and Seoul fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).
Luang Prabang usually gets less rain in January than Seoul. Luang Prabang gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Seoul 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. Also, many visitors come to Seoul in the spring for the activities around the city.
In the spring, Luang Prabang is much warmer than Seoul. Typically, the spring temperatures in Luang Prabang in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Seoul averages at about 13°C (55°F).
It's quite rainy in Luang Prabang. In April, Luang Prabang usually receives more rain than Seoul. Luang Prabang gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Luang Prabang | Seoul | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
May | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 369 mm (14.5 in) |
Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) |
Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 0°C (33°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |