Which place is cheaper, Shiretoko National Park 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.
Jump to 
Should you visit Luang Prabang or Shiretoko National Park?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Luang Prabang or Shiretoko National Park, 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 Shiretoko National Park?
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.
Shiretoko National Park
Shiretoko National Park, Japan is comprises the entire Shiretoko Penninusla in the northeast island of Hokkaido. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered to be one of the most remote areas in Japan with very few and very small settlements. This makes Shiretoko the perfect place for a fun hiking and camping adventure.
While the park is open year round, the weather in the area tends to greatly affect the enjoyment of your trip due to harsh winters and heavy rain at the end of summer. There is a short period from May to early July that is considered the best time to visit due to slightly less rain and comfortable temperatures around 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
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 Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.
-
Luang Prabang Prices
Laos PricesShiretoko National Park Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuang Prabang $18Shiretoko National Park $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Luang Prabang is $18, while the average daily cost in Shiretoko National Park is $96. 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 Shiretoko National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuang Prabang $5.60Shiretoko National Park $34
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuang Prabang $11Shiretoko National Park $68
Compare Hotels in Luang Prabang and Shiretoko National Park
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang or Shiretoko National Park? 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 Shiretoko National Park Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luang Prabang $2.07Shiretoko National Park $27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luang Prabang
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Luang Prabang are as follows:
-
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: $61
- 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 Shiretoko National Park?
Prices for flights to both Shiretoko National Park 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
-
Food Meals for one dayLuang Prabang $9.25Shiretoko National Park $45
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 River Sunset & Lao Tasting Dinner: $49
- Evening Cooking Class & Local Baci Ceremony: $51
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Luang Prabang $2.66Shiretoko National Park $15
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
- Sunset Cruise Luang Prabang: $35
- Unwind with a Sunset Cruise on the Mekong River: $35
- UNESCO World Heritage City Highlights Tour: $35
- Full day / Half Day Kayaking and Pak Ou Caves with optional sunset cruise: $41
- From Guided Mountain Bike Tour with Lunch: $42
- Kayak Tour to Pak Ou Caves: $43
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuang Prabang $1.78Shiretoko National Park $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luang Prabang and Shiretoko National Park, we can see that Shiretoko National Park 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 Shiretoko National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shiretoko National Park 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 Shiretoko National Park Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Luang Prabang or Shiretoko National Park?
Shiretoko National Park 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 Shiretoko National Park in the Summer?
Both Shiretoko National Park 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 hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Shiretoko National Park this time of year.
In July, Luang Prabang is generally much warmer than Shiretoko National Park. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 28°C (82°F), and Shiretoko National Park fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang usually gets more rain in July than Shiretoko National Park. Luang Prabang gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Shiretoko National Park 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Shiretoko National Park in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Luang Prabang and Shiretoko National Park. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round. Also, many travelers come to Shiretoko National Park for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.
Luang Prabang is much warmer than Shiretoko National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Shiretoko National Park fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).
Luang Prabang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Luang Prabang usually receives more rain than Shiretoko National Park. Luang Prabang gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLuang Prabang 26°C (79°F)Shiretoko National Park 10°C (51°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Shiretoko National Park in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Luang Prabang as well as Shiretoko National Park. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Shiretoko National Park can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Luang Prabang is much warmer than Shiretoko National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Luang Prabang in January average around 21°C (70°F), and Shiretoko National Park averages at about -6°C (20°F).
Luang Prabang usually gets less rain in January than Shiretoko National Park. Luang Prabang gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLuang Prabang 21°C (70°F)Shiretoko National Park -6°C (20°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Shiretoko National Park in the Spring?
Both Shiretoko National Park 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, most visitors come to Shiretoko National Park for the natural beauty during these months.
Shiretoko National Park can be very cold during spring. In April, Luang Prabang is generally much warmer than Shiretoko National Park. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 28°C (82°F), and Shiretoko National Park fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).
It's quite rainy in Luang Prabang. In April, Luang Prabang usually receives more rain than Shiretoko National Park. Luang Prabang gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Shiretoko National Park 5°C (40°F)
Typical Weather for Shiretoko National Park and Luang Prabang
| Luang Prabang | Shiretoko National Park | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | -6°C (20°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | -7°C (19°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | -3°C (28°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 51 mm (2 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.