Which place is cheaper, Luang Prabang or Yogyakarta?
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 Yogyakarta or Luang Prabang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Yogyakarta 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.
Where Should I go: Yogyakarta or Luang Prabang?
Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta, also called Yogya, Jogja, and Jogjakarta, is Java's hub of culture and art, and is the top-visited destination on the island. While Jakarta is the most populated and industrially-developed city in Indonesia, Yogya has managed to progress without losing its cultural charm, as illustrated in its well-kept traditional Indonesian architecture.
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 Adventure Tours to Indonesia, The Best Eco Tours in Indonesia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos.
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Yogyakarta Prices
Indonesia PricesLuang Prabang Prices
Laos Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYogyakarta $59Luang Prabang $17
The average daily cost (per person) in Yogyakarta is $59, while the average daily cost in Luang Prabang is $17. 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 Yogyakarta and Luang Prabang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYogyakarta $33Luang Prabang $5.38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYogyakarta $66Luang Prabang $11
Compare Hotels in Yogyakarta and Luang Prabang
Looking for a hotel in Yogyakarta 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: Yogyakarta Hotel Prices and Luang Prabang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Yogyakarta $1.19Luang Prabang $1.98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yogyakarta
Also for Yogyakarta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Jepara & One Way Private Transfer: $110
- Private Transfer from Pandowo Harjo to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $100
- Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport (JOG) to Maguwoharjo: $95
- Private Layover Tour with Airport Transfers: $94
- Semarang & Transfer To The Hotel or Airport: $93
- Yogyakarta Hidden Gems Tour with Private Guided Transfer: $84
- Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport (JOG) to Kembanglimus: $81
- Private Transfer from Borobudur to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $79
- Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport (JOG) to South Rejowinangun: $75
- Private Transfer from Banyuraden to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $70
- Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport (JOG) to Donoharjo: $70
- Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport (JOG) to Condong Catur: $70
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$2.21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luang Prabang
Also for Luang Prabang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 2D Transfer to Huay Xai by Slow Boat: $60
- 2-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $165
- Luang Prabang Private Airport transfers: $9.00
- LPQ Airport: Private Transfer to/from Luang Prabang City: $20
- From 3-Day Oudomxay Town Trip with Transfers: $580
Is it cheaper to fly into Yogyakarta or Luang Prabang?
Prices for flights to both Luang Prabang and Yogyakarta 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 dayYogyakarta $18Luang Prabang $8.89
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yogyakarta
For Yogyakarta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Ramayana Show with Transfer, Entry Fee & Dinner: $13
- Night Walking & Street Food Tour: $21
- Guided City Walk and Food Tour: $23
- Morning Walk and Food Tour: $23
- Kotagede Night Food Tour: $27
- Ramayana Ballet Performance with Optional Dinner: $28
- Nighttime Walk and Food Tour: $32
- Small-Group Walking and Food Tour by Night in Yogyakarta: $33
- Cooking Class with Market Visit and Hotel Pickup: $33
- Prawirotaman Night Food Tour: $35
- Prawirotaman Night Food Tour: $35
- 3-hour Cooking Class with Market Tour: $35
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.Yogyakarta $14Luang Prabang $2.56
Tours and Activities in Yogyakarta
For Yogyakarta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- "Java's Cultural Heritage: Borobudur and Prambanan Tour": $16
- 1 day Yogyakarta Tour Jomblang cave and Pindul Cave tubing: $69
- 1 day tour Borobudur and Prambanan Temples: $40
- 1 day tour borobudur temple,prambanan temple,plaosan temple: $40
- 2 Days Tour to Mount Merbabu from Yogyakarta: $280
- 2-Day Borobudur Tour with Merbabu Camping and Hiking: $332
- 3 Days 2 Nights A Tour of Culture and Nature: $115
- 3-Hour Yogyakarta Hidden Food Walking or Cycling Guided Tour: $70
- 8 Days all inclusive - Motorbike Tour in Central Java: $2,933
- A Day Out from Jomblang Cave Tour: $73
- ATV and Jeep Merapi Volcano Experience in Kaliurang Yogyakarta: $80
- Adventure Ride to Kebun Buah Mangunan Yogyakarta: $31
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 dayYogyakarta $4.43Luang Prabang $1.71
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yogyakarta and Luang Prabang, we can see that Yogyakarta 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 Yogyakarta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yogyakarta 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 Yogyakarta Expensive? and Is Luang Prabang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yogyakarta or Luang Prabang?
Yogyakarta has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Luang Prabang. When comparing the sizes of Yogyakarta 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.