Which place is cheaper, Luang Prabang or Petra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Petra or Luang Prabang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Petra and Luang Prabang can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Petra or Luang Prabang?
Petra
Whether you're checking off the Seven Wonders of the World, or you're just a huge Indiana Jones fan, the city of Petra must be on your bucket list. The "rose red city, half as old as time," was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom in the 6th century BC. It was the center for trade and commerce until an earthquake took out buildings and destroyed their water management system. After this destruction, the city of Petra seemed to be lost to western civilization.
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 Historical Tours in Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, and The Best Adventure Tours to Laos.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPetra $125Luang Prabang $14
The average daily cost (per person) in Petra is $125, 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 Petra and Luang Prabang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPetra $59Luang Prabang $5.72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPetra $118Luang Prabang $11
Compare Hotels in Petra and Luang Prabang
Looking for a hotel in Petra 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.
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: Petra Hotel Prices and Luang Prabang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Petra $23Luang Prabang $2.11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:
- Petra to Sheikh Hussein Crossing Border Private Transfer: $180
- Petra to Madaba Private Transfer: $140
- Private Transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $135
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
- Private transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $118
- Petra to Aqaba South Beach Hotels Private Transfer: $110
- Petra Private Transfer to or from Aqaba: $105
- Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional : $99
- Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
- Private Transfer from Petra City Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $93
- Petra to Wadi Rum Private Transfer: $80
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Ma'in Hotel and vice versa: $73
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 Petra or Luang Prabang?
Prices for flights to both Luang Prabang and Petra 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 dayPetra $38Luang Prabang $5.47
Typical Food Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of dining costs in Petra are as follows:
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Dinner for Two$12
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Juice$1.76
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Petra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Petra.
- Cooking outside in little Petra between the Mountains. : $45
- Private Outdoor bedouin Dinner in Petra: $300
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.Petra $47Luang Prabang $2.72
Typical Entertainment Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Petra are as follows:
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Entry to Petra for One$71
Tours and Activities in Petra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Petra are as follows:
- 3 Hour Horse Riding Adventure around the Petra Area: $145
- 3-hour Private Guided Tour In Petra with hotel pick up.: $75
- Petra Back Entrance Private Walking Tour: $215
- Private Back Trail Tour of Petra starting from the Monastery : $276
- Private Full-Day Tour to Petra and Wadi Rum from Dead Sea: $269
- Private Half-Day Tour of Petra with Lunch: $120
- Private Indiana-Jones Archeological Trail Tour: $90
- Private Petra Back Entrance Tour with Guide .: $140
- Wadi Rum Day Tour from Petra ending in Aqaba: $138
- Wadi Rum Private Tour from Petra with Martian and Star Wars Film Site: $173
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 dayPetra $15Luang Prabang $1.82
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Petra and Luang Prabang, we can see that Petra is more expensive. And not only is Luang Prabang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Petra is in Middle East and Luang Prabang is in Asia, 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 Petra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Petra 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 Petra Expensive? and Is Luang Prabang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Petra or Luang Prabang?
Luang Prabang has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Petra. When comparing the sizes of Petra and Luang Prabang, 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 Petra or Luang Prabang?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Petra or Luang Prabang in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Petra as well as Luang Prabang. Petra attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luang Prabang throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Luang Prabang. Petra usually gets less rain in July than Luang Prabang. Petra gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.
The heat can be very extreme in Petra. In the summer, Petra is a little warmer than Luang Prabang. Typically, the summer temperatures in Petra in July average around 33°C (91°F), and Luang Prabang averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPetra 33°C (91°F)Luang Prabang 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Petra or Luang Prabang in the Autumn?
Both Luang Prabang and Petra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Petra throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Luang Prabang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Luang Prabang. In October, Petra usually receives less rain than Luang Prabang. Petra gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 126 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Petra is generally around the same temperature as Luang Prabang. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 27°C (80°F), and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPetra 27°C (80°F)Luang Prabang 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Petra or Luang Prabang in the Winter?
Both Luang Prabang and Petra during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Petra because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round.
Petra usually gets more rain in January than Luang Prabang. Petra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Petra is cooler than Luang Prabang in the winter. The daily temperature in Petra averages around 15°C (59°F) in January, and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPetra 15°C (59°F)Luang Prabang 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Petra or Luang Prabang in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Petra and Luang Prabang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Petra year-round. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Luang Prabang receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Petra usually receives less rain than Luang Prabang. Petra gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Petra is cooler than Luang Prabang. Typically, the spring temperatures in Petra in April average around 25°C (76°F), and Luang Prabang averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPetra 25°C (76°F)Luang Prabang 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Luang Prabang and Petra
| Petra | Luang Prabang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 15°C (59°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 32°C (90°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 30°C (87°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (62°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.