Which place is cheaper, Luang Prabang or Riga?
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 Riga or Luang Prabang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga or Luang Prabang? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Riga or Luang Prabang?
Riga
Riga is the vibrant capital city of Latvia. It continues to gain popularity as a tourist destination in part because it is the base for the airline Air Baltic. This affordable airline offers discount flights around Europe and most of these flights pass through Riga with a forced overnight layover. This encourages travelers to visit this fascinating city for at least a night or two.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos.
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Riga Prices
Latvia PricesLuang Prabang Prices
Laos Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga €122Luang Prabang €15
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €122, while the average daily cost in Luang Prabang is €15. 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 Riga and Luang Prabang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €52Luang Prabang €4.82
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €104Luang Prabang €9.64
Compare Hotels in Riga and Luang Prabang
Looking for a hotel in Riga 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: Riga Hotel Prices and Luang Prabang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €9.63Luang Prabang €1.78
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Riga Prison Break Transfer with Retro Bus and Drinks: $1,498
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn with Pärnu City Tour: $680
- 100% Private Countryside Sauna, Hot Tub & Transfer: $565
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn with Sightseeing: $494
- From Private Transfer to Vilnius with Sightseeing: $448
- 2-Hour Quad Bike Tour with Transfer: $311
- Abandoned Building Exploration Tour with Transfer: $288
- 4x4 Off-Road Adventure with Hotel Transfers: $254
- Super Grand Prix - Go-Kart Racing with Transfers: $249
- Baltic Explorer Private Riga–Tallinn/Tallinn–Riga Transfer & Tour: $205
- Snowmobile Adventure with Transfer: $196
- Riga Limo Airport Transfer: $177
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€1.98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luang Prabang
Also for Luang Prabang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared departure transfer from Hotel to International airport: $6.67
- Luang Prabang Private Transfers: Hotel -Railway Station - Airport: $8.40
- Luang Prabang Private Airport transfers: $9.00
- LPQ Airport: Private Transfer to/from Luang Prabang City: $20
- 2D Transfer to Huay Xai by Slow Boat: $60
- Luang Prabang 2 Day Slow Boat Transfer to Houay Xay: $68
- 2-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $165
- Luang Prang 1 Day with Laos Railway Private Transfer: $180
- From 3-Day Oudomxay Town Trip with Transfers: $580
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Luang Prabang?
Prices for flights to both Luang Prabang and Riga 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 dayRiga €57Luang Prabang €7.96
Typical Food Prices in Riga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:
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Fast Food Lunch€5.77
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Riga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Riga.
- Riga Central Market Food Tour with Guide & Tastings ENG, DE: $26
- Central Market Latvian Food Tour with 20 taste samples: $52
- Khinkali and Pelmeni Cooking Master Class: $69
- Latvian Cooking Class in a Local Home: $114
- Traditional Latvian Dinner with Private Folk Show: $248
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:
- The Namkhan - Kids Cooking Class: $40
- Bamboo Weaving Workshop & Cooking Class: $44
- Day-time Bamboo weaving & Cooking Classes join-in: $44
- Cooking Class at the Former Royal Palace: $45
- Luangprabang: Dinner with Lao Traditional Dance Performance: $45
- Mekong Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Prabang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Laos: Prabang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $46
- Mekong Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $46
- Mekong Sunset Cruise & Lao Tasting Dinner: $49
- Evening Cooking Class & Local Baci Ceremony: $51
- Luang Prabang Essentials Food Tour: $54
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Riga €14Luang Prabang €2.29
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- 2 Hours Walking Tour in Legends and Secret of Riga's Old Town: $102
- 5,5 Hour Small Group Tour to Hill of Crosses from Riga: $86
- Aeroplane Flight Experience: $78
- Art Nouveau Riga Walking Tour Architectural Gems and Highlights: $171
- Audio Tour of Riga Old Town: $12
- City Sightseeing Riga Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour: $34
- Civilization Secrets Private Walking Tour in Riga: $455
- Da Vinci Genius immersive art experience in Riga: $17
- Day Tour from Riga to Vilnius via Kaunas Sugihara Museum: $297
- Deluxe Riga Tour from Cruise Port: $51
- Discover Old A Walking Tour Through Time: $103
- Drifta Halle | BMW Indoor Drift Experience: $80
Tours and Activities in Luang Prabang
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.
- Luang Prabang to Train Station Shared Minivan Ticket Or Private: $5.00
- Luang Prabang to Kuang Si Waterfalls Shared Minivan Ticket: $8.00
- Farm Tour and Buffalo Buffet Adventure: $9.00
- Laos–China Railway: Easy Train Tickets, No Queues, No Worries: $12
- Laos Buffalo Dairy Tours Interact, Learn and Taste Fresh Flavors: $14
- Audio-Guided City Tour in Electric Car: $14
- Laos Railway: Train Tickets Easily - Skip the Lines - No worries: $30
- Small Group Half Day Luang Prabang city tour: $30
- Kuang Si Waterfall Luang Prabang Tour by Minivan: $31
- UNESCO World Heritage City Highlights Tour: $35
- Afternoon Kuang Si Waterfalls & Sunset Cruise: $35
- Sunset Cruise Luang Prabang: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRiga €20Luang Prabang €1.53
Sample the Local Flavors in Riga
Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $29
- Old town pub & bar crawl, hidden gems, and local party: $29
- Brewery Tour with Beer and Riga Balsam Tasting: $32
- Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting in Riga: $33
- Pub Crawl in Riga: $34
- Riga Pub Crawl Nightlife Experience: $37
- Combo Brewery Tour + Canal Boat tour: $39
- Pub Crawl- Your best night out in Riga with our local guide!: $40
- 2 in 1 - Old Town Walking Tour & Pub Crawl: $40
- Private - Riga Pub Crawl: $40
- Riga 2 in 1 Tour: Art Nouveau Tour & Pub Crawl: $45
- Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Luang Prabang, we can see that Riga is more expensive. And not only is Luang Prabang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Riga is in Europe 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 Riga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Riga 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 Riga Expensive? and Is Luang Prabang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Luang Prabang?
Riga has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Luang Prabang. When comparing the sizes of Riga 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 Riga or Luang Prabang?
Riga 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 Riga or Luang Prabang in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Riga as well as Luang Prabang. Many travelers come to Riga for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luang Prabang throughout the year.
In July, Riga is generally much colder than Luang Prabang. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 17°C (63°F), and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite rainy in Luang Prabang. Riga usually gets less rain in July than Luang Prabang. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRiga 17°C (63°F)Luang Prabang 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Riga or Luang Prabang in the Autumn?
Both Luang Prabang and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Riga in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to Luang Prabang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Riga is much colder than Luang Prabang in the autumn. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Luang Prabang. In October, Riga usually receives less rain than Luang Prabang. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 126 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRiga 7°C (45°F)Luang Prabang 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Riga or Luang Prabang in the Winter?
Both Luang Prabang and Riga during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Riga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round.
Riga can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Riga is much colder than Luang Prabang. Typically, the winter temperatures in Riga in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Luang Prabang averages at about 21°C (70°F).
Riga usually gets more rain in January than Luang Prabang. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRiga -5°C (23°F)Luang Prabang 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Riga or Luang Prabang in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Luang Prabang. The spring months attract visitors to Riga because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Riga is generally much colder than Luang Prabang. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 5°C (42°F), and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Luang Prabang receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Riga usually receives less rain than Luang Prabang. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRiga 5°C (42°F)Luang Prabang 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Luang Prabang and Riga
| Riga | Luang Prabang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 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.