Which place is cheaper, Split 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 Split?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Luang Prabang or Split, 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 Split?
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.
Split
Split is a historic city in Central Dalmatia with many opportunities to glimpse its fascinating past in its historic city center. Centuries ago the city grew up around a Diocletian palace that was used as refuge by the locals.
Today, as you wander around the historic center, you can see the remains of the Roman walls, temples, and squares. Despite it's appeal to tourists, Split is much more than just a tourist destination. It is larger than you might initially realize and it spreads well beyond the historic center. There is a population of about 300,000 in the larger area and it is an economic center for the region.
Split has a beautiful climate with mild winters, countless sunny days, and a generally pleasant temperature. As such, there are many opportunities to enjoy yourself outdoors, whether by participating in sports or walking around the city's quaint streets. Winters in Split are also quite mild, but there may be one snowy day, on average, every year. This rare snowfall can cause a significant disruption in the flow of traffic.
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 Walking Tours in Croatia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Croatia.
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Luang Prabang Prices
Laos PricesSplit Prices
Croatia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuang Prabang $17Split $228
The average daily cost (per person) in Luang Prabang is $17, while the average daily cost in Split is $228. 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 Split in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuang Prabang $5.50Split $98
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuang Prabang $11Split $196
Compare Hotels in Luang Prabang and Split
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang or Split? 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 Split Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luang Prabang $2.03Split $27
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$2.27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luang Prabang
Also for Luang Prabang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Luang Prang 1 Day with Laos Railway Private Transfer: $180
- 2D Transfer to Huay Xai by Slow Boat: $60
- 2-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $165
- Luang Prabang Private Transfers: Hotel -Railway Station - Airport: $9.60
- Luang Prabang Private Airport transfers: $9.00
- Luang Prabang 2 Days Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $165
- Luang Prabang 2 Day Slow Boat Transfer to Houay Xay: $69
- LPQ Airport: Private Transfer to/from Luang Prabang City: $20
- From 3-Day Oudomxay Town Trip with Transfers: $580
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Split
Also for Split, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Zagreb to Split transfer with Plitvice lakes & Wine: $1,004
- Airport to Hvar Town Speedboat Transfer: $700
- Split Airport: Speedboat Taxi transfer to/from Hvar: $700
- Private Transfer to Dubrovnik from Split with stop options: $572
- Zagreb to Private Transfer with Plitvice Lakes: $554
- Split/Trogir to Zagreb: Private Transfer with Plitvice Lakes: $554
- Private Boat Transfer to Hvar Island: $548
- From Private 1-Way Transfer to Dubrovnik: $491
- Private Transfer to Krka with Driver & Optional Guide: $466
- Private transfer from Split or Trogir to Dubrovnik: $443
- Private transfer from Split to Dubrovnik with 2h sightseeing stop in Ston: $296
- Transfer Split to Dubrovnik with Sightseeing in Ston Town: $294
Is it cheaper to fly into Luang Prabang or Split?
Prices for flights to both Split 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 $9.10Split $108
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
- Prabang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Luangprabang: Dinner with Lao Traditional Dance Performance: $45
- Cooking Class at the Former Royal Palace: $45
- Mekong Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Mekong Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $46
- Laos: Prabang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $46
- Mekong Sunset Cruise & Lao Tasting Dinner: $49
- Evening Cooking Class & Local Baci Ceremony: $51
- Luang Prabang Mekong Sunset Cruise and Hot Pot Dinner: $55
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Split
For Split, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Omiš: Sunset Boat Trip to Pučišća Brač island with Dinner: $58
- Split’s Ultimate Walking Food Tour with Full Meal & Drinks: $67
- Small Group Food Tour with Private Option: $104
- Split’s Ultimate Walking Food Tour by Do Eat Better: $122
- Split Old Town Authentic Food Tour with 9 Dishes & Local Wines: $126
- Split Food Tour: Discover Split One Bite At A Time: $139
- Split Food Tour: Discover Split One Bite at a Time: $140
- Private VIP Split Food Tour with Seafood, Wine and Local Bites: $180
- Split Cooking Class: $203
- Vegan Cooking Class with Local Market Tour in Split: $203
- Split Cooking Class - Afternoon Edition Shared Activity: $203
- From farm to table : Cooking class on island Brac: $255
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Luang Prabang $2.62Split $13
Tours and Activities in Luang Prabang
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.
- 1 Day Kayaking Adventure and Whiskey Village Tour: $248
- 1 Day Mekong Pak Ou Caves Kuang Si Waterfalls Local Villages Tour: $80
- 6Days 5Nigths Luang Prabang city tour & Mekong River Cruise: $800
- Best of Luang Prabang City Day Tour - Secrets of LPQ World Heritage: $82
- Best of Luang Prabang Shared Group City Tour: $214
- Bike to Kuangsi Waterfall and Cruise the Mekong River Back - Luang Prabang 1 day: $170
- Classic Tour in Luang Prabang: $90
- Classic tour in Luang Prabang (Private): $243
- Cultural Heart of Laos Private Tour in Luang Prabang: $253
- Cultural Treasures of Luang Prabang Group Exploration Tour: $214
- Experience Lao Authentic Cuisine at the Former Royal Palace: $55
- Experience Mekong Sunset Cruise in Luang Prabang: $90
Tours and Activities in Split
For Split, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- "Blue Lagoon" Half day Chill out tour from Split: $80
- "Not Today" - Game of Thrones and History of Split Private Guided Walking Tour: $91
- 2 Day Pass with Sightseeing Bus: $37
- 2 Hours Split Walking tour with free food tasting: $186
- 2-Hour Sunset Cruise Split: $135
- 2-hours Split Segway Tour: $93
- 3 islands Tour from Split and Brac: $173
- 3-Hour Via-Ferrata Adventure in Fortica Fortress: $41
- 4 Islands Tour from Split to Zlatni Rat, Hvar & Pakleni Islands: $162
- 4-Hour Dalmatian Food and Wine flavors Experience in Split Patio: $139
- 4-Island Split Boat Tour (Brač, Pakleni, Hvar, Šolta): $156
- 4-in-1 Boat Party Experience Split, Croatia.: $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuang Prabang $1.75Split $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Split
Also in Split, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Split Pub Crawl: Nightlife, Shots & Club Entry: $14
- Diocletian's Palace Walking and Wine Tasting Tour: $17
- Tower Pub Crawl in Split: $31
- From Krka Waterfalls, Food & Wine Tasting Tour: $52
- From Krka Waterfalls, Food & Wine Tasting Tour: $53
- Krka National Park Tour with tour Guide & Wine tasting from Split & Trogir: $55
- Split/Trogir: Krka National Park Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $55
- From Krka Waterfalls day tour & wine tasting: $55
- Olive Oil and Wine Tasting with Snacks: $57
- Educational wine tasting in Split: $64
- Split&Sip: Educational wine tasting: $64
- Split Mediterranean Food & Wine tasting with Meal & Local Guide: $86
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luang Prabang and Split, we can see that Split 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 Split is in Europe, 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 Split would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Split 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 Split Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Luang Prabang or Split?
Split has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Luang Prabang. When comparing the sizes of Luang Prabang and Split, 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.
When is the best time to visit Luang Prabang or Split?
Split 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 Split in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Luang Prabang and Split. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Split in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Luang Prabang is around the same temperature as Split. Typically, the summer temperatures in Luang Prabang in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Split averages at about 26°C (80°F).
Luang Prabang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Luang Prabang usually receives more rain than Split. Luang Prabang gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Split receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Split 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Split in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Luang Prabang as well as Split. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Split for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
In October, Luang Prabang is generally a little warmer than Split. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 26°C (79°F), and Split fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Luang Prabang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Luang Prabang usually gets more rain in October than Split. Luang Prabang gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Split receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLuang Prabang 26°C (79°F)Split 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Split in the Winter?
Both Split and Luang Prabang are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luang Prabang throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Split because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Luang Prabang is much warmer than Split in the winter. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and Split fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
In January, Luang Prabang usually receives less rain than Split. Luang Prabang gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Split receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLuang Prabang 21°C (70°F)Split 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Split in the Spring?
Both Split and Luang Prabang during the spring 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 beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Split this time of year.
In the spring, Luang Prabang is much warmer than Split. Typically, the spring temperatures in Luang Prabang in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Split averages at about 15°C (59°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang usually gets more rain in April than Split. Luang Prabang gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Split receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Split 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Split and Luang Prabang
| Luang Prabang | Split | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.