Which place is cheaper, Luang Prabang or Koh Samet?
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 Samet 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 Samet 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 Samet or Luang Prabang?
Koh Samet
The country of Thailand is full of some of the world's most stunning beauty and peaceful settings. So it begs the question, where the Thai people go to get away from it all? They go to Ko Samet on the eastern gulf coast. Located just outside of Bangkok, Ko Samet provides visitors an easily accessible and desirable weekend getaway spot. With white beaches and coral of every other color, this island has steadily developed over the last few years without an intense construction increase like many other Thai beaches. Once thought to be the home of pirates, this island provides plenty to wonder about including, are there hidden treasures under that gorgeous white sand?
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week 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 Samet Prices
Thailand PricesLuang Prabang Prices
Laos Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samet $133Luang Prabang $18
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $133, 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 Samet and Luang Prabang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samet $37Luang Prabang $5.60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samet $74Luang Prabang $11
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Luang Prabang
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet 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 Samet Hotel Prices and Luang Prabang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samet $79Luang Prabang $2.07
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:
- 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 Koh Samet or Luang Prabang?
Prices for flights to both Luang Prabang and Koh Samet 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 Samet $54Luang 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 Samet $10Luang Prabang $2.66
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 Samet $5.38Luang Prabang $1.78
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samet and Luang Prabang, we can see that Koh Samet 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 Samet would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Samet 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 Samet Expensive? and Is Luang Prabang Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samet 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 Samet or Luang Prabang in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Luang Prabang. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luang Prabang throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Luang Prabang. Koh Samet receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Samet usually gets less rain in July than Luang Prabang. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.
In July, Koh Samet is generally around the same temperature as Luang Prabang. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 28°C (82°F), and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samet 28°C (82°F)Luang Prabang 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Luang Prabang in the Autumn?
Both Luang Prabang and Koh Samet are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samet throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Luang Prabang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Luang Prabang. It's quite rainy in Koh Samet. In October, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Luang Prabang. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 126 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Luang Prabang in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samet 27°C (81°F)Luang Prabang 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Luang Prabang in the Winter?
Both Luang Prabang and Koh Samet during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samet because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round.
Koh Samet usually gets more rain in January than Luang Prabang. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, Koh Samet is a little warmer than Luang Prabang. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Samet in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Luang Prabang averages at about 21°C (70°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samet 25°C (77°F)Luang Prabang 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Luang Prabang in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Luang Prabang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Luang Prabang receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Koh Samet usually receives less rain than Luang Prabang. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In April, Koh Samet is generally around the same temperature as Luang Prabang. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 29°C (84°F), and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samet 29°C (84°F)Luang Prabang 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Luang Prabang and Koh Samet
| Koh Samet | Luang Prabang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 380 mm (15 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 118 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.