Which place is cheaper, Wellington or Luang Prabang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Luang Prabang or Wellington?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Luang Prabang or Wellington, 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 Wellington?
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.
Wellington
Wellington is the capital and second largest city in New Zealand. It sits on the southwestern edge of the North Island between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range. It's a beautiful setting that is encircled by mountains giving it a beautiful backdrop. There are also many cultural sights and attractions around town. Wellington really is the perfect mix of New Zealand's natural beauty and a vibrant urban core. The film industry is also prevelant in the city. The city's production centers have helped create Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit trilogies, Avatar, Tin Tin, and District 9.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuang Prabang $14Wellington $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Luang Prabang is $14, while the average daily cost in Wellington is $103. 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 Wellington in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuang Prabang $5.72Wellington $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuang Prabang $11Wellington $120
Compare Hotels in Luang Prabang and Wellington
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang or Wellington? 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 Wellington Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luang Prabang $2.11Wellington $12
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$2.36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luang Prabang
Also for Luang Prabang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Tortola island to Tortola Cruise Port: $81
- Luang Prabang Private Airport transfers: $9.00
- LPQ Airport: Private Transfer to/from Luang Prabang City: $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Wellington
Also for Wellington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer: $78
- Wellington Airport Transfer to Wellington Hotels and Vice versa: $75
- Private Transfer with Wellington Dial a Driver: $72
- Wētā Workshop Experience with Guided Transfers: $61
- Wellington Airport (WLG) to Wellington - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
- Private Transfer from Wellington hotels to Wellington Cruise Port: $26
- Private Transfer from Wellington Cruise Port to Wellington Hotels: $26
- Departure Transfer: Wellington Central City Centre Hotels to Wellington Airport: $13
- Arrival Transfer: Wellington Airport to Central Wellington City Centre Hotels: $13
Is it cheaper to fly into Luang Prabang or Wellington?
Prices for flights to both Wellington 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 $5.47Wellington $29
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:
- Bamboo Weaving Workshop & Cooking Class: $44
- Day-time Bamboo weaving & Cooking Classes join-in: $44
- Evening Bamboo weaving & Cooking classes join-in: $47
- Mekong Sunset Cruise and Hot Pot Dinner: $50
- Luang Prabang Mekong Sunset Cruise and Hot Pot Dinner: $51
- Evening Cooking Class & Local Baci Ceremony: $51
- Laos Cooking Class in Luang Prabang: $55
- Cooking Class: $55
- Luang Prabang Evening food tour by Tuktuk: $56
- Luang Prabang Evening Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $57
- Luang Prabang Evening Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk : $58
- Full Day bamboo experience with cooking class & Kuang si waterfalls: $59
Typical Food Prices in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner$8.91
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Walking Food Tour Of Wellington: $151
- A Taste Of Wellington Food Tour (half Day): $185
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Luang Prabang $2.72Wellington $16
Tours and Activities in Luang Prabang
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.
- 1 DAY Mekong Cruise to Pak Ou Caves. Kuang Si Waterfalls . Local Villages: $48
- Bike to Kuangsi Waterfall and Cruise the Mekong River Back - Luang Prabang 1 day: $170
- Biking & Kayaking through Nam Khan River Valley - Luang Prabang full day tour: $73
- Dine and Cruise on Mekong River: $66
- Elephant keeper experience option waterfall day tour: $115
- From Guided Mountain Bike Tour with Lunch: $42
- Full Day Kuang Si Warerfalls & Rice Farming Experience in Living Land: $95
- Full Day Private Tour in Luang Prabang: $164
- Full day / Half Day Kayaking and Pak Ou Caves with optional sunset cruise: $41
- Full-Day Luang Prabang Highlights Tour Including Kuangsi Waterfall: $85
- Full-Day Private Guided Pak Ou Caves & Ethnic Village Tour: $159
- Full-Day Private Tour in Luang Prabang with Vintage Jeep: $170
Tours and Activities in Wellington
For Wellington, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 5 hour Wellington City Heights Shared tour: $90
- A Taste of Kapiti - Kapiti Foodie Delights Tour: $288
- From Cave to Coast Wellington Highlights Tour: $118
- From Source to Sea Remutaka Mountain Bike Cycle Tour: $103
- From Half-Day Foodie Tour of the Wairarapa: $105
- From Taste Buds Tour of Petone: $165
- Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour: $178
- Full Day Tour of Wellington: $178
- Full-Day Wellington Self-Guided Electric Bike Tour: $51
- Fully customizable tours: $148
- Guided Small Group Walking Tour in Wellington: $45
- Guided Wellington Sightseeing Tour by Electric Bike: $78
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuang Prabang $1.82Wellington $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Wellington
Also in Wellington, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wellington Craft Brewery Half Day Tour: $93
- Wellington Craft Brewery Half-Day Guided Tour with Tastings: $95
- 5 hour Martinborough shared Chefs Wine Tour with Gourmet lunch: $151
- Martinborough Full Day Wine Tour: $169
- Chefs Private Martinborough wine tour with Gourmet Lunch: $356
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luang Prabang and Wellington, we can see that Wellington 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 Wellington is in Pacific, 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 Wellington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wellington 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 Wellington Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Luang Prabang or Wellington?
Wellington has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Luang Prabang. When comparing the sizes of Luang Prabang and Wellington, 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 Wellington?
Wellington 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 Wellington in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Luang Prabang and Wellington. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round. Also, most visitors come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Luang Prabang is much warmer than Wellington. Typically, the summer temperatures in Luang Prabang in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Wellington averages at about 18°C (64°F)in January.
Luang Prabang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Luang Prabang usually receives more rain than Wellingtonin January. Luang Prabang gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Wellington 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Wellington in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Luang Prabang as well as Wellington. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Wellington because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In October, Luang Prabang is generally much warmer than Wellingtonin April. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 26°C (79°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
Luang Prabang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Luang Prabang usually gets more rain in October than Wellingtonin April. Luang Prabang gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilLuang Prabang 26°C (79°F)Wellington 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Wellington in the Winter?
Both Wellington 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 museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.
Luang Prabang is much warmer than Wellington in the winter. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and Wellington fluctuates around 10°C (49°F)in July.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Wellington. In January, Luang Prabang usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin July. Luang Prabang gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyLuang Prabang 21°C (70°F)Wellington 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Wellington in the Spring?
Both Wellington 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches.
In the spring, Luang Prabang is much warmer than Wellington. Typically, the spring temperatures in Luang Prabang in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Wellington averages at about 13°C (55°F)in October.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang usually gets more rain in April than Wellingtonin October. Luang Prabang gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Wellington 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Wellington and Luang Prabang
| Luang Prabang | Wellington | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 69 mm (2.7 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.