Which place is cheaper, Luang Prabang or Koh Chang?
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 Koh Chang or Luang Prabang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Chang 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: Koh Chang or Luang Prabang?
Koh Chang
Most people pick Thailand for their destination because they're anxious to collapse on a breathtaking beach. If that is you, Ko Chang does not disappoint. As one the country's most beautiful islands, Ko Chang is full of white beaches and incredible wildlife. Beware, though, you're not the only one with Ko Chang in mind. During the high season, the island can become quite crowded with tourists.
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 Thailand, The Best Eco Tours in Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos.
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Koh Chang Prices
Thailand PricesLuang Prabang Prices
Laos Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Chang $70Luang Prabang $18
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Chang is $70, 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 Koh Chang and Luang Prabang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Chang $28Luang Prabang $5.60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Chang $56Luang Prabang $11
Compare Hotels in Koh Chang and Luang Prabang
Looking for a hotel in Koh Chang 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: Koh Chang Hotel Prices and Luang Prabang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Chang $15Luang Prabang $2.07
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Chang
Also for Koh Chang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Trat to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $236
- Private Transfer from Trat to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $229
- Koh Chang to BKK or DMK Airport Private Transfers : $161
- Trat Airport: Shared Transfers to/from Koh Chang with Ferry: $30
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$2.31
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 Koh Chang or Luang Prabang?
Prices for flights to both Luang Prabang and Koh Chang 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 dayKoh Chang $33Luang Prabang $9.25
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Chang $6.28Luang Prabang $2.66
Tours and Activities in Koh Chang
For Koh Chang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- PADI Discover Scuba Dive Experience: $175
- Private Kayak Experience in Bang Bao Bay with Lunch: $25
- Snorkeling Adventure at Koh Chang – Departing from Koh Chang: $32
Tours and Activities in Luang Prabang
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.
- Half Day Kayaking and Pak Ou Caves with Sunset Cruise: $196
- Kuang Si Waterfalls and Hmong Village Half-Day Tour: $30
- 6Days 5Nigths Luang Prabang city tour & Mekong River Cruise: $800
- Best of Luang Prabang Shared Group City Tour: $214
- Bike to Kuangsi Waterfall and Cruise the Mekong River Back - Luang Prabang 1 day: $170
- Classic Tour in Luang Prabang: $90
- Classic tour in Luang Prabang (Private): $243
- Day Pass - Premium Wellness Experience at The Namkhan: $90
- Dine and Cruise on Mekong River: $66
- Explore Pak Ou Caves by Kayak with Optional Sunset River Cruise: $196
- From Field to Table Half Day Rice Experience in Luang Prabang: $194
- From 8-Day Laos Tour with Accommodation: $1,241
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Chang $5.38Luang Prabang $1.78
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Chang and Luang Prabang, we can see that Koh Chang 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 Koh Chang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Chang 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 Koh Chang Expensive? and Is Luang Prabang Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Chang or Luang Prabang?
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.
Should I visit Koh Chang or Luang Prabang in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Chang and Luang Prabang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Chang year-round. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Luang Prabang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Chang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Chang usually receives more rain than Luang Prabang. Koh Chang gets 440 mm (17.3 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Koh Chang is around the same temperature as Luang Prabang in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Chang averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Chang 28°C (82°F)Luang Prabang 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Koh Chang or Luang Prabang in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Chang as well as Luang Prabang. Koh Chang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luang Prabang throughout the year.
Also, November to February in Koh Chang is the dry season. June to October in Koh Chang is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Luang Prabang. Koh Chang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Chang usually gets more rain in October than Luang Prabang. Koh Chang gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 126 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Koh Chang is around the same temperature as Luang Prabang. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Chang in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Luang Prabang averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Chang 27°C (81°F)Luang Prabang 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Koh Chang or Luang Prabang in the Winter?
Both Luang Prabang and Koh Chang are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Chang throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Luang Prabang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Koh Chang is November to February. In January, Koh Chang usually receives less rain than Luang Prabang. Koh Chang gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In January, Koh Chang is generally a little warmer than Luang Prabang. Daily temperatures in Koh Chang average around 26°C (79°F), and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Chang 26°C (79°F)Luang Prabang 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Koh Chang or Luang Prabang in the Spring?
Both Luang Prabang and Koh Chang during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Chang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round.
June to October is the rainy season in Koh Chang. Luang Prabang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Chang. Koh Chang usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Luang Prabang. Koh Chang gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
Koh Chang is around the same temperature as Luang Prabang in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Chang averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Chang 29°C (84°F)Luang Prabang 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Luang Prabang and Koh Chang
| Koh Chang | Luang Prabang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 356 mm (14 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 513 mm (20.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 440 mm (17.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 514 mm (20.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 476 mm (18.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 280 mm (11 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
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.