Which place is cheaper, Sihanoukville 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 Sihanoukville, 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.
Sihanoukville, also known by locals as Kompong Som, was named after King Sihanouk. Also Cambodia's youngest city, construction started in 1955 to build Cambodia's first and only deep water port so that ships would no longer have to go through the Mekong Delta in order to trade with Cambodia. Today, many visit Sihanoukville as a hub to visit Cambodia's islands.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Bicycle Tours in Cambodia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Cambodia.
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 Sihanoukville is $51. 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 Sihanoukville in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang or Sihanoukville? 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:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sihanoukville:
Prices for flights to both Sihanoukville 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:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sihanoukville.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.
Here are a few actual costs in Sihanoukville for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luang Prabang and Sihanoukville, we can see that Sihanoukville 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 Sihanoukville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sihanoukville 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 Sihanoukville Expensive?.
Sihanoukville has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Luang Prabang. When comparing the sizes of Luang Prabang and Sihanoukville, 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.