Which place is cheaper, Luang Prabang or Vang Vieng?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Should I visit Vang Vieng 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.
Vang Vieng is a town in the Vientiane province of Laos that sits along the banks of the Nam Song River. With its beautifully carved karst topography cliffs towering over the winding river, the area has become very tourist-oriented for those seeking to explore the outdoor wonders. People from all over come to engage in the unique landscape-mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, caving, swimming, and rock climbing, amongst others.
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 G Adventures Tours to Laos, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Laos.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $18, 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 Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng 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.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Luang Prabang are as follows:
Also for Luang Prabang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng 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.
For Luang Prabang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang, we can see that Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng Expensive? and Is Luang Prabang Expensive?.
Luang Prabang has a larger population, and is about 90% larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng 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.
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.
Both Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng 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 July, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Luang Prabang. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In the summer, Vang Vieng is cooler than Luang Prabang. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vang Vieng in July average around 22°C (72°F), and Luang Prabang averages at about 28°C (82°F).
Both Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round.
Luang Prabang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in October than Luang Prabang. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 126 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Vang Vieng is generally cooler than Luang Prabang. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Luang Prabang. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Vang Vieng is a little warmer than Luang Prabang in the winter. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
The spring brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Luang Prabang. Vang Vieng 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. Vang Vieng receives a lot of rain in the spring. Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in April than Luang Prabang. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the spring, Vang Vieng is cooler than Luang Prabang. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vang Vieng in April average around 23°C (73°F), and Luang Prabang averages at about 28°C (82°F).
Vang Vieng | Luang Prabang | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) |
Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |