Which place is cheaper, Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Luang Prabang or Whitsundays, 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 Whitsundays?
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.
Whitsundays
Just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is a cluster of 74 different islands. These islands, the Whitsunday Islands, welcome over a half a million visitors every year to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Barrier Reef.
As one of the most famous destinations in the world, it's not uncommon to see expensive yachts sailing around among the private ferries. Most of the islands are designated as national parks with access to snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs, or just to lay in the sand on the famous Whitehaven Beach.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Melbourne, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia.
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Luang Prabang Prices
Laos PricesWhitsundays Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuang Prabang $18Whitsundays $155
The average daily cost (per person) in Luang Prabang is $18, while the average daily cost in Whitsundays is $155. 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 Whitsundays in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuang Prabang $5.60Whitsundays $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuang Prabang $11Whitsundays $138
Compare Hotels in Luang Prabang and Whitsundays
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang or Whitsundays? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luang Prabang $2.07Whitsundays $55
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$2.31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luang Prabang
Also for Luang Prabang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From 3-Day Oudomxay Town Trip with Transfers: $580
- 2-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $165
- 2D Transfer to Huay Xai by Slow Boat: $60
- LPQ Airport: Private Transfer to/from Luang Prabang City: $20
- Luang Prabang Private Airport transfers: $9.00
Is it cheaper to fly into Luang Prabang or Whitsundays?
Prices for flights to both Whitsundays 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 $9.25Whitsundays $52
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 Sunset Cruise & Lao Tasting Dinner: $49
- Evening Cooking Class & Local Baci Ceremony: $51
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Whitsundays
For Whitsundays, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hamilton Island: Whitsundays Sunset Dinner Cruise: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Luang Prabang $2.66Whitsundays $25
Tours and Activities in Luang Prabang
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.
- Half Day Kayaking and Pak Ou Caves with Sunset Cruise: $196
- Kuang Si Waterfalls and Hmong Village Half-Day Tour: $30
- 6Days 5Nigths Luang Prabang city tour & Mekong River Cruise: $800
- 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
- Day Pass - Premium Wellness Experience at The Namkhan: $90
- Dine and Cruise on Mekong River: $66
- Explore Pak Ou Caves by Kayak with Optional Sunset River Cruise: $196
- From Field to Table Half Day Rice Experience in Luang Prabang: $194
- From 8-Day Laos Tour with Accommodation: $1,241
Tours and Activities in Whitsundays
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Whitsundays.
- Airlie Beach: Whitsundays Full-Day Camira Sailing Adventure: $164
- MILADY Whitsundays 2-Night Private Yacht Sailing Cruise: $4,953
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuang Prabang $1.78Whitsundays $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luang Prabang and Whitsundays, we can see that Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Luang Prabang or Whitsundays?
Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays in the Summer?
Both Whitsundays and Luang Prabang are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luang Prabang throughout the year.
Luang Prabang is around the same temperature as Whitsundays in the summer. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Whitsundays. It's quite rainy in Luang Prabang. In July, Luang Prabang usually receives less rain than Whitsundaysin January. Luang Prabang gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Whitsundays 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Whitsundays in the Autumn?
Both Whitsundays and Luang Prabang during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Luang Prabang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Luang Prabang is a little warmer than Whitsundays. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Luang Prabang in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 23°C (73°F)in April.
Whitsundays 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 less rain in October than Whitsundaysin April. Luang Prabang gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilLuang Prabang 26°C (79°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Whitsundays in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Luang Prabang and Whitsundays. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round.
In January, Luang Prabang is generally a little warmer than Whitsundaysin July. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 21°C (70°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).
In January, Luang Prabang usually receives less rain than Whitsundaysin July. Luang Prabang gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyLuang Prabang 21°C (70°F)Whitsundays 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Whitsundays in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Luang Prabang as well as Whitsundays. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Luang Prabang is a little warmer than Whitsundays in the spring. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in October.
Luang Prabang receives a lot of rain in the spring. Luang Prabang usually gets more rain in April than Whitsundaysin October. Luang Prabang gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Whitsundays and Luang Prabang
| Luang Prabang | Whitsundays | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 191 mm (7.5 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.