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

Should you visit Similan Islands or Luang Prabang?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Similan Islands and Luang Prabang can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Similan Islands or Luang Prabang?

Similan Islands

There are places divers like, and there are places divers love. One of the most popular spots to visit the underwater world is at the national park of the Similan Islands in southern Thailand. With 140 square kilometers of land and nine islands, this area is a paradise for those ready to get their feet wet.

The park is made up of nine islands: Ko Bon, Ko Bayu, Ko Similan, Ko Payu, Ko Miang, Ko Payan, Ko Paying and Ko Huyong. If these names are a bit too similar for you to easily differentiate, don't worry. Most refer to each island with a number from 1 to 9. Two more islands were added to the park – Koh Bon and Koh Tachai – in 1998.

Even though the park was only established in 1982, the islands have been around for approximately 65 million years. They are the product of swells of hot magma during the Cretaceous period and smoothed over by glacial ice and water erosion. The reefs beneath the surface are approximately 5,000 years and therefor the oldest in Thailand. Luckily, because of its deep waters, the islands' underwater landscapes were essentially unharmed during the 2004 tsunami.

Each island is covered in lush, tropical jungle and white, sandy coastlines. There is fish of every shape, color and size – including the famous "Nemo" clownfish, batfish, barracudas, whale sharks and manta rays.

You'll want to plan your visit around monsoon season. So book a trip sometime between December and April. March is a particularly good time to visit as the winds have died down and the water is crystal clear. The park is closed from May to November.

There are a few tents and bungalows on some of the islands. They are government run, and you'll need to reserve them in advance. Many divers will simply take day trips, or sleep on board boats. There are several organized tour and boat options available out of Phuket, Khao Lak and Ranong. Both areas will likely offer day trips and live-aboard cruises. These cruises typically start at four days and 4 nights, but shorter trips are available. There is an entry fee to the park, along with a daily usage fee for those spending multiple days in the park. This fee is paid to your driver before the trip.

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 Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, and The Best Adventure Tours to Laos.

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

When is the best time to visit Similan Islands or Luang Prabang?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Luang Prabang in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Similan Islands and Luang Prabang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Similan Islands year-round. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Also, June to September is the rainy season in Similan Islands. Luang Prabang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Similan Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Luang Prabang. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In July, Similan Islands is generally around the same temperature as Luang Prabang. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 28°C (82°F), and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Similan Islands or Luang Prabang in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Similan Islands as well as Luang Prabang. Similan Islands attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luang Prabang throughout the year.

Also, October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season. It's quite rainy in Luang Prabang. Similan Islands receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in October than Luang Prabang. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 126 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Luang Prabang in the autumn. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Similan Islands or Luang Prabang in the Winter?

Both Luang Prabang and Similan Islands are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Similan Islands throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Luang Prabang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Luang Prabang. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In the winter, Similan Islands is a little warmer than Luang Prabang. Typically, the winter temperatures in Similan Islands in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Luang Prabang averages at about 21°C (70°F).

Should I visit Similan Islands or Luang Prabang in the Spring?

Both Luang Prabang and Similan Islands during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Similan Islands because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round.

October to May is the dry season in Similan Islands. June to September is the rainy season in Similan Islands. Luang Prabang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in April than Luang Prabang. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

In April, Similan Islands is generally around the same temperature as Luang Prabang. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 29°C (83°F), and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Typical Weather for Luang Prabang and Similan Islands