A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mount Everest vs. Luang Prabang for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mount Everest or Luang Prabang?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Mount Everest and Luang Prabang. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Mount Everest or Luang Prabang?

Mount Everest

More commonly known as Mount Everest, Qomolangma is the highest mountain in the world with a peak reaching 8,848 meters above sea level. Pilgrims trek long distances to worship its divine aura, climbing enthusiasts run great risks to challenge its high altitude, and visitors from all over come to see where the tallest reaches of earth meet the heavens.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Kathmandu, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Pokhara, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, and The Best Adventure Tours to Laos.


Which place is cheaper, Luang Prabang or Mount Everest?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Mount Everest is $40, while the average daily cost in Luang Prabang is $14. 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 Mount Everest and Luang Prabang in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mount Everest $6.84
    Luang Prabang $5.72
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mount Everest $14
    Luang Prabang $11
Compare Hotels in Mount Everest and Luang Prabang

Looking for a hotel in Mount Everest or Luang Prabang? 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.

Hotels in Mount Everest


Hotels in Luang Prabang


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mount Everest -
    Luang Prabang $2.11

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luang Prabang

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Luang Prabang are as follows:


  • 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 Mount Everest or Luang Prabang?

Prices for flights to both Luang Prabang and Mount Everest 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Mount Everest $26
    Luang Prabang $5.47

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mount Everest $18
    Luang Prabang $2.72

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mount Everest -
    Luang Prabang $1.82


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mount Everest and Luang Prabang, we can see that Mount Everest 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 Mount Everest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mount Everest 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 Mount Everest Expensive? and Is Luang Prabang Expensive?.