Which place is cheaper, Luang Prabang or Ubud?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ubud 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 Ubud 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: Ubud or Luang Prabang?
Ubud
Made popular by the film Eat Pray Love, Ubud is located in the uplands of Bali, Indonesia. Beautiful Hindu temples and iconic rice fields are the sight to see in this popular cultural, artistic and religious hub on the island.
Though Ubud is hot and humid during the day, it is still cooler than coastal areas. Still, temperatures linger between mid-70's and low 90's year-round, so it is likely you'll experience warm weather, regardless of when you visit.
Ubud's wet season is from November to June, which makes it an unpopular time for travelers. January and February are when Ubud experiences the heaviest rainfall, so it may be wise to avoid visiting at this time, especially since weather will limit activities, bring out insects, and cause landslides and possible flooding.
Dry season runs from July through October, which is high season for travel. Even during dry season, Ubud is extremely humid, so pack lightweight clothing that breathes and lots of sunblock.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Indonesia, The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, 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 dayUbud $150Luang Prabang $14
The average daily cost (per person) in Ubud is $150, 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 Ubud and Luang Prabang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personUbud $133Luang Prabang $5.72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomUbud $266Luang Prabang $11
Compare Hotels in Ubud and Luang Prabang
Looking for a hotel in Ubud 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: Ubud Hotel Prices and Luang Prabang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ubud $1.82Luang Prabang $2.11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ubud
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ubud:
- All Inclusive:Bali to Gili Islands | Snorkeling + Transfers + Stay-3Days/2Nights: $299
- Private Tour 3 Day Exploring Bali Including Airport Transfer And Lunch: $297
- 4 Days Bali Tour with ATV Ride and Airport Transfer: $262
- Bali Budget 5 Days, Tours & Air Port Transfers : $237
- Bali New Kuta Golf Package with Private Transfer: $205
- Private Tour: Amazing 3 Days Bali Sightseeing Tour Package with Airport Transfer: $170
- 2 Days 1 Night Bali Nusa Penida Private Tour with Transfer: $165
- 3 Days Bali Tour Package with Airport Transfer: $164
- Actively enjoy marine sports / Seawalker + Selectable marine sports (parasailing, etc.) / Round trip hotel transfer included: $162
- Actively enjoy marine sports / popular flyboard + selectable marine sports (parasailing, etc.) round-trip hotel transfer included: $162
- Actively enjoy marine sports / 4 types of marine sports to choose from (parasailing, jet skiing, etc.) / Round trip hotel transfer included: $162
- 1 DAY Enjoy Lembongan Island! Snorkeling + mangrove exploration + sightseeing on the island such as the scenic spot "Devil's Tears" / marine sports enjoyment banana boat / transfer included: $131
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:
- LPQ Airport: Private Transfer to/from Luang Prabang City: $29
- Luang Prabang Private Airport transfers: $9.00
- Private Transfer from Tortola island to Tortola Cruise Port: $81
Is it cheaper to fly into Ubud or Luang Prabang?
Prices for flights to both Luang Prabang and Ubud 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 dayUbud $12Luang Prabang $5.47
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ubud
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ubud.
- Canggu: Drag Show with Dinner: $10
- Jimbaran Bay Sunset Dinner with Discount Voucher and Return Transport : $12
- Munduk authentic cooking class & banyumala waterfall: $19
- Uluwatu Sunset & Romantic Dinner: $20
- Balinese Traditional Cooking Classes with Market Tour: $22
- Balinese Traditional Cooking Class with Market Tour: $22
- Ubud Cooking : All Inclusive Cooking Class: $23
- Balinese Cooking Class and Market Tour with Transfers: $23
- Cooking Class with Transfers and Optional Market Visit: $23
- Balinese Cooking Class with Hotel Transfers: $26
- Best of Ubud with Cooking Class Experience: $26
- Jimbaran Beach Candle Light Dinner : $26
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.Ubud $10Luang Prabang $2.72
Tours and Activities in Ubud
Here are a few actual costs in Ubud for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 DAY Valley Trekking at Hidden Canyon Bejiguwang + Sightseeing/Private Tour 8 Hours/English/Japanese Driver Included: $37
- All Inclusive Tour in Nusa Lembongan Islands : $145
- BALI INSTAGRAM TOUR Private Tour with Wifi onboard: $87
- Bali : Best Private Day Tour with Private Driver : $26
- Bali : Customized Tour Sekumpul Waterfalls & Handara gate Heaven: $36
- Bali : Mount Batur Sunrise Jeep 4WD Experience: $38
- Bali PrivateTanahlot Sunset Tour: $110
- Bali Royal palaces (observe tour): $88
- Barong Dance and Waterfall tour in Bali: $35
- Best Ubud Tours -All inclusive with private driver: $35
- Best of Ubud Tours with Jungle Swing ( All Inclusive ): $83
- Gate Of Heaven Lempuyang Temple Tours with Blue Lagoon Snorkeling: $35
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 dayUbud $6.88Luang Prabang $1.82
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ubud and Luang Prabang, we can see that Ubud 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 Ubud would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ubud 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 Ubud Expensive? and Is Luang Prabang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ubud or Luang Prabang?
Luang Prabang has a larger population, and is about 67% larger than the population of Ubud. When comparing the sizes of Ubud 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.
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.