Which place is cheaper, Luang Prabang or Koh Lipe?
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 Lipe or Luang Prabang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Koh Lipe and Luang Prabang can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Koh Lipe or Luang Prabang?
Koh Lipe
Ko Lipe used to be one of Thailand's most gorgeous hidden treasures. While it's still breathtaking, it's certainly not hidden anymore. With a small community of approximately 700 chow lair, or sea gypsies, this region is doing its best to maintain the beauty of its culture and beaches despite the influx of tourism. The rapid development has seen additions of concrete cafes and travel agencies. There are still rich, cultural gems to find in Ko Lipe - you just have to be willing to wander.
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 Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos.
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Koh Lipe Prices
Thailand PricesLuang Prabang Prices
Laos Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Lipe $120Luang Prabang $18
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Lipe is $120, 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 Lipe and Luang Prabang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Lipe $50Luang Prabang $5.60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Lipe $100Luang Prabang $11
Compare Hotels in Koh Lipe and Luang Prabang
Looking for a hotel in Koh Lipe 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 Lipe Hotel Prices and Luang Prabang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Lipe $21Luang Prabang $2.07
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Lipe
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Koh Lipe:
- Private Transfer Pak Bara Pier to Hatyai Airport by Van: $80
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:
- From 3-Day Oudomxay Town Trip with Transfers: $580
- LPQ Airport: Private Transfer to/from Luang Prabang City: $20
- Luang Prabang Private Airport transfers: $9.00
- 2-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $165
- 2D Transfer to Huay Xai by Slow Boat: $60
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Lipe or Luang Prabang?
Prices for flights to both Luang Prabang and Koh Lipe 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 Lipe $52Luang 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 Lipe $27Luang Prabang $2.66
Tours and Activities in Koh Lipe
Here are a few actual costs in Koh Lipe for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) 1 day Experience: $127
- Experience the Koh Lipe Backyard including 5 Mysterious Islands: $25
- Experience the Koh Lipe Frontier in the Eastern Adang Archipelago: $29
- Full-Day Koh Lipe 7 Islands Snorkeling Experience with Lunch: $27
- Koh Lipe Beginner Scuba Diving Half Day Tour with Lunch: $131
- Private Experience with Fishing, Barbeque, Sashimi and Snorkeling: $78
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Lipe $9.42Luang Prabang $1.78
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Lipe and Luang Prabang, we can see that Koh Lipe 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 Lipe would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Lipe 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 Lipe Expensive? and Is Luang Prabang Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Lipe or Luang Prabang?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Koh Lipe or Luang Prabang in the Summer?
Both Luang Prabang and Koh Lipe during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Lipe 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Lipe. Koh Lipe usually gets more rain in July than Luang Prabang. Koh Lipe gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.
Koh Lipe is around the same temperature as Luang Prabang in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Lipe averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Lipe 27°C (81°F)Luang Prabang 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Koh Lipe or Luang Prabang in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Lipe and Luang Prabang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lipe year-round. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to April in Koh Lipe is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Koh Lipe. Luang Prabang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Lipe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koh Lipe usually receives more rain than Luang Prabang. Koh Lipe gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 126 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Koh Lipe is around the same temperature as Luang Prabang. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Lipe 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 Lipe 27°C (81°F)Luang Prabang 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Koh Lipe or Luang Prabang in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Koh Lipe as well as Luang Prabang. Koh Lipe attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luang Prabang throughout the year.
Koh Lipe usually gets more rain in January than Luang Prabang. Koh Lipe gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In January, Koh Lipe is generally a little warmer than Luang Prabang. Daily temperatures in Koh Lipe average around 27°C (80°F), and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Lipe 27°C (80°F)Luang Prabang 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Koh Lipe or Luang Prabang in the Spring?
Both Luang Prabang and Koh Lipe are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Lipe 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 Lipe is December to April. The rainy season in Koh Lipe is May to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Luang Prabang. It's quite rainy in Koh Lipe. In April, Koh Lipe usually receives more rain than Luang Prabang. Koh Lipe gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Koh Lipe is around the same temperature as Luang Prabang in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Lipe averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Lipe 29°C (85°F)Luang Prabang 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Luang Prabang and Koh Lipe
| Koh Lipe | Luang Prabang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 355 mm (14 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 116 mm (4.6 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.