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

Should you visit Karachi or Luang Prabang?

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

Should I visit Karachi 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: Karachi or Luang Prabang?

Karachi

Karachi is the capital of the Pakistani province of Sindh. It is the most populous city in Pakistan, and sixth most populous city proper in the world. Karachi, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, is the financial and commercial center of the nation, as well as its largest port. The pace of life here is more hurried, and social attitudes are far more liberal than elsewhere in Pakistan. Locals call it the City of Lights, the City of The Quaid, and the City that Never Sleeps. The city credits its growth to the mixed populations of economic and political migrants along with refugees from different national, provincial, linguistic and religious origins, who generally come to the city to settle permanently.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Pakistan, The Best Historical Tours in Pakistan, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos.


Which place is cheaper, Luang Prabang or Karachi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Karachi Prices
    Pakistan Prices
    Luang Prabang Prices
    Laos Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Karachi $33
    Luang Prabang $18

The average daily cost (per person) in Karachi is $33, while the average daily cost in Luang Prabang is $18. 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 Karachi and Luang Prabang in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Karachi $10
    Luang Prabang $5.60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Karachi $20
    Luang Prabang $11
Compare Hotels in Karachi and Luang Prabang

Looking for a hotel in Karachi 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.

Hotels in Karachi


Hotels in Luang Prabang


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: Karachi Hotel Prices and Luang Prabang Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Karachi $4.48
    Luang Prabang $2.07

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Karachi

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Karachi:

  • Karachi Pick up and Dropoff Transfer : $50

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luang Prabang

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Luang Prabang are as follows:


  • Tuk Tuk Ride
    $2.31

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: $20
  • 2D Transfer to Huay Xai by Slow Boat: $60
  • 2-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $165
  • From 3-Day Oudomxay Town Trip with Transfers: $580

Is it cheaper to fly into Karachi or Luang Prabang?

Prices for flights to both Luang Prabang and Karachi 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Karachi $19
    Luang Prabang $9.25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Karachi

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Karachi.

  • Street Food Tour of Karachi: $199
  • Private Karachi Street Food Tour: $215

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
  • Bamboo Weaving Workshop & Cooking Class: $44
  • Day-time Bamboo weaving & Cooking Classes join-in: $44
  • Luangprabang: Dinner with Lao Traditional Dance Performance: $45
  • Mekong Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
  • Cooking Class at the Former Royal Palace: $45
  • Prabang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
  • Mekong Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $46
  • Laos: Prabang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $46
  • Evening Bamboo weaving & Cooking classes join-in: $47
  • Mekong Sunset Cruise & Lao Tasting Dinner: $49
  • Evening Cooking Class & Local Baci Ceremony: $51

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Karachi $4.95
    Luang Prabang $2.66

Tours and Activities in Karachi

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Karachi are as follows:

  • Day Tour in Karachi Unesco Heritage: $150
  • Experience local village life in Sindh: $300
  • Full Day Karachi Private City Tour: $120
  • Full Day Karachi to Thatta Unesco Sites Tour: $92
  • Full Day Private City Tour of Karachi: $120
  • Karachi City Tour : $129
  • Karachi Heritage Express: Thatta UNESCO Tour: $150
  • Karachi Sightseeing Private City Tour.: $199
  • UNESCO World Heritage Tour Near Karachi : $150

Tours and Activities in Luang Prabang

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.

  • Shuttle Bus ticket to Kuang Si Waterfalls: $8.00
  • Farm Tour and Buffalo Buffet Adventure: $9.00
  • Audio-Guided City Tour in Electric Car: $14
  • Laos Railway: Train Tickets Easily - Skip the Lines - No worries : $30
  • Kuang Si Waterfalls and Hmong Village Half-Day Tour: $30
  • Small Group Half Day Luang Prabang city tour: $30
  • UNESCO World Heritage City Highlights Tour: $35
  • Unwind with a Sunset Cruise on the Mekong River: $35
  • Afternoon Kuang Si Waterfalls & Sunset Cruise: $35
  • Sunset Cruise Luang Prabang: $35
  • Full day / Half Day Kayaking and Pak Ou Caves with optional sunset cruise: $41
  • From Guided Mountain Bike Tour with Lunch: $42

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Karachi $3.27
    Luang Prabang $1.78


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


Which is Bigger, Karachi or Luang Prabang?

Karachi has a larger population, and is about 250 times larger than the population of Luang Prabang. When comparing the sizes of Karachi 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.


When is the best time to visit Karachi or Luang Prabang?

Karachi has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Luang Prabang experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Karachi or Luang Prabang in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Karachi as well as Luang Prabang. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luang Prabang throughout the year.

Karachi is around the same temperature as Luang Prabang in the summer. The daily temperature in Karachi averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It's quite rainy in Luang Prabang. Karachi usually gets less rain in July than Luang Prabang. Karachi gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Karachi 30°C (86°F) 
    Luang Prabang 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Karachi or Luang Prabang in the Autumn?

Both Luang Prabang and Karachi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Luang Prabang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the autumn, Karachi is a little warmer than Luang Prabang. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Karachi in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Luang Prabang averages at about 26°C (79°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Luang Prabang. In October, Karachi usually receives less rain than Luang Prabang. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 126 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Karachi 29°C (84°F) 
    Luang Prabang 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Karachi or Luang Prabang in the Winter?

Both Luang Prabang and Karachi during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round.

In January, Karachi is generally around the same temperature as Luang Prabang. Daily temperatures in Karachi average around 19°C (66°F), and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

Karachi usually gets less rain in January than Luang Prabang. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Karachi 19°C (66°F) 
    Luang Prabang 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Karachi or Luang Prabang in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Karachi and Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Karachi is around the same temperature as Luang Prabang in the spring. The daily temperature in Karachi averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Luang Prabang receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Karachi usually receives less rain than Luang Prabang. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Karachi 29°C (84°F) 
    Luang Prabang 28°C (82°F)

Typical Weather for Luang Prabang and Karachi

Karachi Luang Prabang
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 21°C (70°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 19 mm (0.7 in)
Mar 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)
May 31°C (88°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 29°C (84°F) 147 mm (5.8 in)
Jun 31°C (88°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 258 mm (10.2 in)
Jul 30°C (86°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 228 mm (9 in)
Aug 30°C (86°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 289 mm (11.4 in)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 173 mm (6.8 in)
Oct 29°C (84°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 126 mm (5 in)
Nov 24°C (75°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Dec 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)


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