Which place is cheaper, Yaeyama Islands or Luang Prabang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Luang Prabang or Yaeyama Islands?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Luang Prabang or Yaeyama Islands, 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 Yaeyama Islands?
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.
Yaeyama Islands
The Yaeyama Islands is a cluster of islands located in the southwestern part of Japan, close to Taiwan. There are nine different islands, varying from small islets to large holiday resort islands. The Yaeyama Islands are one of the most popular destination in Japan due to their beautiful beaches and underwater ruins. Yaeyama is also known for having their own language and writing system. For the most part, everyone on the Islands speak Japanese, but you'll often find the Yaeyama writing on T-shirts in souvenir shops or scattered around Yaeyama.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuang Prabang $14Yaeyama Islands $93
The average daily cost (per person) in Luang Prabang is $14, while the average daily cost in Yaeyama Islands is $93. 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 Yaeyama Islands in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuang Prabang $5.72Yaeyama Islands $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuang Prabang $11Yaeyama Islands $108
Compare Hotels in Luang Prabang and Yaeyama Islands
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang or Yaeyama Islands? 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 Yaeyama Islands Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luang Prabang $2.11Yaeyama Islands $19
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:
- Luang Prabang Private Airport transfers: $9.00
- LPQ Airport: Private Transfer to/from Luang Prabang City: $29
- Private Transfer from Tortola island to Tortola Cruise Port: $81
Is it cheaper to fly into Luang Prabang or Yaeyama Islands?
Prices for flights to both Yaeyama Islands 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 $5.47Yaeyama Islands $28
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Luang Prabang $2.72Yaeyama Islands $8.62
Tours and Activities in Luang Prabang
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.
- Small Group Half Day Luang Prabang city tour: $30
- UNESCO World Heritage City Highlights Tour: $32
- Sunset Cruise Luang Prabang: $35
- Luang Prabang Mountain Bike Cycling Tour: $39
- Guided Meditation Experience in Luang Prabang: $40
- Luang Prabang Foodie Walking Tour and Monk Blessing: $40
- Morning local food Market experience option waterfall tour: $40
- Full day / Half Day Kayaking and Pak Ou Caves with optional sunset cruise: $41
- From Guided Mountain Bike Tour with Lunch: $42
- Luang Prabang City Tour & Kuang Si Waterfalls: $42
- Kayak Tour to Pak Ou Caves: $43
- Sunset Cruise in Luang Prabang with Live Performance: $45
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuang Prabang $1.82Yaeyama Islands $6.28
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luang Prabang and Yaeyama Islands, we can see that Yaeyama Islands 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 Yaeyama Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yaeyama Islands 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 Yaeyama Islands Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Luang Prabang or Yaeyama Islands?
Yaeyama Islands 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 Yaeyama Islands in the Summer?
Both Yaeyama Islands 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, many visitors come to Yaeyama Islands in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Luang Prabang is around the same temperature as Yaeyama Islands in the summer. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Yaeyama Islands fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
Yaeyama Islands 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 more rain in July than Yaeyama Islands. Luang Prabang gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 179 mm (7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Yaeyama Islands 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Yaeyama Islands in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Luang Prabang and Yaeyama Islands. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round. Also, most visitors come to Yaeyama Islands for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Luang Prabang is around the same temperature as Yaeyama Islands. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Luang Prabang in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Yaeyama Islands averages at about 26°C (78°F).
Yaeyama Islands receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Luang Prabang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Luang Prabang usually receives less rain than Yaeyama Islands. Luang Prabang gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLuang Prabang 26°C (79°F)Yaeyama Islands 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Yaeyama Islands in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Luang Prabang as well as Yaeyama Islands. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Yaeyama Islands because of the museums and the cuisine.
In January, Luang Prabang is generally a little warmer than Yaeyama Islands. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 21°C (70°F), and Yaeyama Islands fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It's quite rainy in Yaeyama Islands. Luang Prabang usually gets less rain in January than Yaeyama Islands. Luang Prabang gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLuang Prabang 21°C (70°F)Yaeyama Islands 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Yaeyama Islands in the Spring?
Both Yaeyama Islands 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, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Yaeyama Islands this time of year.
Luang Prabang is a little warmer than Yaeyama Islands in the spring. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Yaeyama Islands fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yaeyama Islands. It's quite rainy in Luang Prabang. In April, Luang Prabang usually receives less rain than Yaeyama Islands. Luang Prabang gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Yaeyama Islands is May to June.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Yaeyama Islands 23°C (74°F)
Typical Weather for Yaeyama Islands and Luang Prabang
| Luang Prabang | Yaeyama Islands | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 231 mm (9.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 203 mm (8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 179 mm (7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 134 mm (5.3 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.