Which place is cheaper, Shanghai 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 Shanghai, 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.
Shanghai is the largest and most modern city in China. With a population of over 23 million, it is the economic and financial hub of the country. It also continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in China with regular changes to the city's layout and skyline. It is not uncommon for buildings to be torn down, rebuilt and then torn down and rebuilt again. The city also has skyscrapers that rank among the tallest in the world. It has an ever changing downtown and street scape. In Shanghai, the general mantra remains "out with the old, in with the new".
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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 Shanghai is $115. 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 Shanghai in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang or Shanghai? 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 Shanghai:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:
Prices for flights to both Shanghai 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 Shanghai are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Shanghai.
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 Shanghai are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shanghai are as follows:
Also in Shanghai, 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 Shanghai, we can see that Shanghai 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 Shanghai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shanghai 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 Shanghai Expensive?.
Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 310 times larger than the population of Luang Prabang. When comparing the sizes of Luang Prabang and Shanghai, 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.
Shanghai has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Luang Prabang experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Both Shanghai 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, many visitors come to Shanghai in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Luang Prabang is around the same temperature as Shanghai. Typically, the summer temperatures in Luang Prabang in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Shanghai averages at about 28°C (83°F).
Shanghai 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 Shanghai. Luang Prabang gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Luang Prabang and Shanghai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Shanghai for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Luang Prabang is generally a little warmer than Shanghai. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 26°C (79°F), and Shanghai fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
Luang Prabang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Luang Prabang usually receives more rain than Shanghai. Luang Prabang gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Luang Prabang as well as Shanghai. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Shanghai because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Shanghai can be very cold. Luang Prabang is much warmer than Shanghai in the winter. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and Shanghai fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
Luang Prabang usually gets less rain in January than Shanghai. Luang Prabang gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Shanghai 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, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year.
In the spring, Luang Prabang is much warmer than Shanghai. Typically, the spring temperatures in Luang Prabang in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Shanghai averages at about 15°C (58°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Shanghai. It's quite rainy in Luang Prabang. In April, Luang Prabang usually receives around the same amount of rain as Shanghai. Luang Prabang gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Luang Prabang | Shanghai | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
May | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) |
Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |