Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Luang Prabang?
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 Luang Prabang or Harbin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Luang Prabang or Harbin, 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: Luang Prabang or Harbin?
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.
Harbin
Harbin, China is the northernmost major city in the country, with a population of over 10 million. Harbin was founded in 1897 by Russia, which has resulted in a lot of Russian influence throughout the city and many Russian citizens. The city is most famous for their annual International Snow and Ice Festival, a two-month-long festival running from January through February of each year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.
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Luang Prabang Prices
Laos PricesHarbin Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuang Prabang $18Harbin $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Luang Prabang is $18, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $66. 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 Luang Prabang and Harbin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuang Prabang $5.60Harbin $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuang Prabang $11Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Luang Prabang and Harbin
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang or Harbin? 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: Luang Prabang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luang Prabang $2.07Harbin $1.52
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: $61
- 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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Harbin Volga Manor Private Transfer Service with Entry Tickets: $300
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $198
- Harbin Ice Festival Tickets and Transfer Service : $148
- 4 Hour Private Transfer to Sun Island Snow Sculptures: $100
- Private Departure Transfer to Harbin North Railway Station from Harbin City: $100
- Harbin Catholic Church Car Transfer Service: $80
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer, Pick up.: $59
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Luang Prabang or Harbin?
Prices for flights to both Harbin and Luang Prabang 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 dayLuang Prabang $9.25Harbin $24
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 River Sunset & Lao Tasting Dinner: $49
- Evening Cooking Class & Local Baci Ceremony: $51
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dinner Show with Costumes and Performances: $29
- Harbin Cultural Tour at Zhongyang Dajie to Baluoke with Dinner: $80
- Central Street, Baluoke Village, and Dinner Tour: $90
- Harbin Dumpling Cooking Class: $154
- Hot Spring Experience with Hot Pot Dinner in Harbin: $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Luang Prabang $2.66Harbin $53
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
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Harbin Igloos Hot Pot Private Tour: $300
- Private Night Tour to Harbin Ice Festival: $261
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $168
- 2-Day Harbin City Private Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $280
- All-Inclusive Harbin City History and Local Culture Private Day Tour: $300
- Group Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World plus Sun Island Snow Sculpture Festival: $298
- Half Day Tour for Harbin Guandong Ancient Lane and Wood Sculpture Museum: $104
- Half-Day Private Old Harbin Street Walking Tour with Meal: $300
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
- Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
- Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
- Harbin Ice Lantern Show and Center Street Tour: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuang Prabang $1.78Harbin $7.96
Sample the Local Flavors in Harbin
Also in Harbin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Brewery Tour: $250
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luang Prabang and Harbin, we can see that Harbin 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 Harbin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Harbin 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 Luang Prabang Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Luang Prabang or Harbin?
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Luang Prabang. When comparing the sizes of Luang Prabang and Harbin, 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 Luang Prabang or Harbin?
Harbin 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 Luang Prabang or Harbin in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Luang Prabang and Harbin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round.
In the summer, Luang Prabang is a little warmer than Harbin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Luang Prabang in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Harbin averages at about 24°C (75°F).
Harbin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Luang Prabang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Luang Prabang usually receives more rain than Harbin. Luang Prabang gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Harbin 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Harbin in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Luang Prabang as well as Harbin. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Luang Prabang is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 26°C (79°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
Luang Prabang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Luang Prabang usually gets more rain in October than Harbin. Luang Prabang gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLuang Prabang 26°C (79°F)Harbin 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Harbin in the Winter?
Both Harbin and Luang Prabang are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luang Prabang throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Harbin. Luang Prabang is much warmer than Harbin in the winter. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and Harbin fluctuates around -18°C (-0°F).
In January, Luang Prabang usually receives more rain than Harbin. Luang Prabang gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLuang Prabang 21°C (70°F)Harbin -18°C (-0°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Harbin in the Spring?
Both Harbin and Luang Prabang during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Luang Prabang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Luang Prabang is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Luang Prabang in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Harbin averages at about 8°C (46°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang usually gets more rain in April than Harbin. Luang Prabang gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Harbin 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Harbin and Luang Prabang
| Luang Prabang | Harbin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 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.