Which place is cheaper, Luang Prabang or Saaremaa?
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 Saaremaa or Luang Prabang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa or Luang Prabang, 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: Saaremaa or Luang Prabang?
Saaremaa
Saaremaa is the largest island in Estonia and it has a unique and rural atmosphere that makes it an interesting place to visit. Saaremaa has remained rural and frozen in time due to its isolated location, particularly during Soviet occupation when it was used as a military base. The island still has working windmills, hand placed stone walls, and old stone churches that feel like you've stepped back in time.
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 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos.
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Saaremaa Prices
Estonia PricesLuang Prabang Prices
Laos Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaaremaa €128Luang Prabang €15
The average daily cost (per person) in Saaremaa is €128, 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 Saaremaa and Luang Prabang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaaremaa €36Luang Prabang €4.71
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaaremaa €72Luang Prabang €9.42
Compare Hotels in Saaremaa and Luang Prabang
Looking for a hotel in Saaremaa 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: Luang Prabang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saaremaa €47Luang Prabang €1.74
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saaremaa
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Saaremaa:
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Rental Car and Gas for a Day€34
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€1.94
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 Saaremaa or Luang Prabang?
Prices for flights to both Luang Prabang and Saaremaa 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 daySaaremaa €63Luang Prabang €7.79
Typical Food Prices in Saaremaa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Saaremaa:
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Salmon€1.28
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:
- Luang Prabang Local Market and Morning Food Tour with Drinks: $39
- The Namkhan - Kids Cooking Class: $40
- Day-time Bamboo weaving & Cooking Classes join-in: $44
- Bamboo Weaving Workshop & Cooking Class: $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
- 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
- Home-cooked dinner & Baci ceremony with Villagers in Ban Nasang: $52
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saaremaa €21Luang Prabang €2.24
Tours and Activities in Luang Prabang
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.
- 1 Day Mekong Cruise to Pak Ou Caves and Kuang Si Waterfalls: $70
- 1 Day Mekong Pak Ou Caves Kuang Si Waterfalls Local Villages Tour: $80
- 6Days 5Nigths Luang Prabang city tour & Mekong River Cruise: $800
- Classic tour in Luang Prabang (Private): $243
- Cultural Heart of Laos Private Tour in Luang Prabang: $253
- Cultural Treasures of Luang Prabang Group Exploration Tour: $214
- Dine and Cruise on Mekong River: $66
- Discover Luang Prabang Heritage City Tour and Kuang Si Waterfalls: $127
- Experience Lao Authentic Cuisine at the Former Royal Palace: $55
- Experience Mekong Sunset Cruise in Luang Prabang: $90
- Explore Pak Ou Caves by Kayak with Optional Sunset River Cruise: $196
- From 8-Day Laos Tour with Accommodation: $1,241
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaaremaa €11Luang Prabang €1.50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saaremaa and Luang Prabang, we can see that Saaremaa is more expensive. And not only is Luang Prabang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa Expensive? and Is Luang Prabang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Luang Prabang?
Luang Prabang has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Saaremaa. When comparing the sizes of Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa or Luang Prabang?
Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa or Luang Prabang in the Summer?
Both Luang Prabang and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Luang Prabang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Saaremaa is much colder than Luang Prabang. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saaremaa in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Luang Prabang averages at about 28°C (82°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Luang Prabang. In July, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Luang Prabang. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaaremaa 17°C (62°F)Luang Prabang 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Saaremaa or Luang Prabang in the Autumn?
Both Luang Prabang and Saaremaa during the autumn are popular places to visit. The small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round.
In October, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Luang Prabang. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 8°C (47°F), and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Luang Prabang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saaremaa usually gets less rain in October than Luang Prabang. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 126 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaaremaa 8°C (47°F)Luang Prabang 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Saaremaa or Luang Prabang in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Luang Prabang. Many travelers come to Saaremaa for the cuisine. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Saaremaa. Saaremaa is much colder than Luang Prabang in the winter. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around -3°C (27°F) in January, and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
In January, Saaremaa usually receives more rain than Luang Prabang. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaaremaa -3°C (27°F)Luang Prabang 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Saaremaa or Luang Prabang in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Luang Prabang. Many visitors come to Saaremaa in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luang Prabang throughout the year.
Saaremaa can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Saaremaa is much colder than Luang Prabang. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saaremaa in April average around 4°C (38°F), and Luang Prabang averages at about 28°C (82°F).
It's quite rainy in Luang Prabang. Saaremaa usually gets less rain in April than Luang Prabang. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaaremaa 4°C (38°F)Luang Prabang 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Luang Prabang and Saaremaa
| Saaremaa | Luang Prabang | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -3°C (27°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | -3°C (26°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Mar | -1°C (30°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (38°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 9°C (48°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 14°C (57°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Oct | 8°C (47°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Nov | 4°C (39°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Dec | 0°C (32°F) | 58 mm (2.3 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.