Which place is cheaper, Luang Prabang or Yangon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Yangon or Luang Prabang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yangon 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: Yangon or Luang Prabang?
Yangon
Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is the largest city and economic center for the nation of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. The city is a mix of British, Burmese, Chinese, and Indian influences, and is host to beautiful 19th-century colonial architecture as well as modern skyscrapers. The people of Yangon mainly follow the Buddhist religion and it is common to see monks wandering along the busy streets amidst gilded temples.
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 Cultural Tours in Myanmar, The Best Budget Tours to Myanmar, 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 dayYangon $63Luang Prabang $14
The average daily cost (per person) in Yangon is $63, 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 Yangon and Luang Prabang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYangon $31Luang Prabang $5.72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYangon $62Luang Prabang $11
Compare Hotels in Yangon and Luang Prabang
Looking for a hotel in Yangon 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.Yangon $2.38Luang Prabang $2.11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Yangon:
- Yangon Airport (RGN): Private Transfer to/from Yangon City: $41
- Private Yangon Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon Airport: $40
- Yangon Airport Private Transfer : $27
- Private Hotel Transfers to or from YIA Airport: $24
- Private Arrival Transfer: Yangon International Airport (RGN) to Hotel: $23
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon International Airport (RGN): $23
- Private Airport Transfer at Yangon Airport to Center of Yangon: $23
- Yangon Airport Private Arrival Transfer : $20
- Private Arrival Transfer: Bagan Nyaung-U Airport (NYU) to Hotel: $14
- Bagan Airport Transfer with Private Car: $13
- Bagan (Nyaung Oo) Airport Private Transfer : $8.54
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:
- Luang Prabang Private Airport transfers: $9.00
- LPQ Airport: Private Transfer to/from Luang Prabang City: $29
- Private Transfer from Tortola island to Tortola Cruise Port: $81
Is it cheaper to fly into Yangon or Luang Prabang?
Prices for flights to both Luang Prabang and Yangon 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 dayYangon $9.70Luang Prabang $5.47
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Yangon.
- Morning Yangon Food Tour: $24
- Yangon Evening Food Tour and trishaw ride: $26
- Yangon morning food tour with train ride : $27
- Yangon Street Food Tours: $28
- Cooking class in the down town of Yangon, half day tour (07:30 AM - 12:30 PM): $65
- Cooking Class in Yangon,Myanmar: $67
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.Yangon -Luang Prabang $2.72
Tours and Activities in Yangon
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yangon are as follows:
- Adventure Full day visit to Thanlyin (Syriam): $70
- All About Yangon Full Day City Tour: $87
- Bagan Cultrue Tour : $50
- Bagan Sightseeing Tour by Private Guide and Car: $42
- Bagan Temples Tour by Private car and Tour guide.: $46
- Bago Full-Day Private Tour from Yangon: $128
- Bago Full-Day Private Tour from Yangon: $110
- Bago Full-Day Tour from Yangon: $79
- Bago by Train: Full-day sightseeing tour: $117
- Best Yangon City Tour with Experience English Speaking Guide: $142
- Burmese Antiques Heritage Shopping Tour: $87
- Bus Ticket ( Yangon - Mandalay): $21
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 dayYangon -Luang Prabang $1.82
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yangon and Luang Prabang, we can see that Yangon 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 Yangon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yangon 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 Yangon Expensive? and Is Luang Prabang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yangon or Luang Prabang?
Yangon has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Luang Prabang. When comparing the sizes of Yangon 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.