Which place is cheaper, Luang Prabang or Nha Trang?
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 Nha Trang or Luang Prabang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Nha Trang and Luang Prabang. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Nha Trang or Luang Prabang?
Nha Trang
For the relaxation of a small beach town, plus the energy of a young city, consider Nha Trang, Vietnam. As the most famous seaside town in Vietnam, Nha Trang is certainly livelier than many other beach resort towns. Visiting this part of Vietnam is not for the faint of heart. These people know the meaning of nightlife - and make the night last as long as they can.
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 Coach Bus Tours in Vietnam, The Best Adventure Tours to Vietnam, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos.
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Nha Trang Prices
Vietnam PricesLuang Prabang Prices
Laos Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNha Trang $48Luang Prabang $18
The average daily cost (per person) in Nha Trang is $48, 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 Nha Trang and Luang Prabang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNha Trang $13Luang Prabang $5.60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNha Trang $26Luang Prabang $11
Compare Hotels in Nha Trang and Luang Prabang
Looking for a hotel in Nha Trang 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: Nha Trang Hotel Prices and Luang Prabang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nha Trang $13Luang Prabang $2.07
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nha Trang
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Nha Trang:
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Local Bus Ticket$0.11
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Taxi From Airport$14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nha Trang
Also for Nha Trang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Nha Trang to Hoi An - Private Transfer: $300
- Nha Trang to Quy Nhon - Private Transfer: $130
- Nha Trang - Mui Ne Private car transfer: $115
- Private Transfer: Nha Trang City Center to Da Lat City Center: $114
- Nha Trang to Buon Me Thuot - Private Transfer: $99
- Private transfer from Nha Trang to Mui Ne by car 7 seater: $99
- Nha Trang to Phan Thiet - Private Transfer: $94
- Private One-way Transfer To Mui Ne From Nha Trang: $90
- Nha Trang to Da Lat - Private Transfer: $84
- Private Transfer from Doc Let to Cam Ranh (CXR) Airport: $73
- Nha Trang To Mui Ne Private Car Transfer : $70
- Private Transfer from Nha Trang Cruise Port to Nha Trang city: $69
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
- 2-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $165
- 2D Transfer to Huay Xai by Slow Boat: $60
- LPQ Airport: Private Transfer to/from Luang Prabang City: $20
- Luang Prabang Private Airport transfers: $9.00
Is it cheaper to fly into Nha Trang or Luang Prabang?
Prices for flights to both Luang Prabang and Nha Trang 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 dayNha Trang $25Luang Prabang $9.25
Typical Food Prices in Nha Trang
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Nha Trang:
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nha Trang
For Nha Trang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Nha Trang Private Authentic Sunset River Cruise for a nice dinner: $78
- Nha Trang Special Sunset River Cruise for sightseeing and nice dinner: $82
- Nha Trang Sunset Cocktails and Dinner Cruise: $90
- Nha Trang Sunset Cocktails and Dinner Cruise: $90
- Experience Countryside Private Cooking Class in Nha Trang City: $90
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.Nha Trang $9.03Luang Prabang $2.66
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nha Trang
For Nha Trang, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Po Ngar Cham Entrance (for Two)$1.21
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Two Rental Lounge Chairs on Beach$2.65
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Vinpearl Land Amusement Park$17
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Fairy Spring Waterfall Entrance$0.38
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Thap Ba Mud Bath$3.79
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Cyclo Tour of City (One Day)$9.48
Tours and Activities in Nha Trang
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nha Trang.
- Day Cruise Exploring Nha Trang Bay｜Nha Trang: $98
- Experience Nha Trang Scuba Diving with Certified Dive: $51
- I-Resort Hot Springs and Spa Packages Ticket Nha Trang: $14
- Nha Trang Beach Tour by Bus and Water: $93
- 2 Day Car Tour Excursion Dalat and Mui Ne (Minimum 4 guest): $170
- 2 Day Private Tour to Discover Nha Trang City: $113
- 2 Days Private Guided Tour to Mui Ne from Nha Trang Included Lunch: $195
- 3 Day VIP Tour at Hon Tam Resort in Nha Trang: $47
- 3 Hour Pedicab City Tour Nha Trang: $75
- 3 Hour Pedicab Night Tour Included Street Food With Your Local Guide: $79
- 3 Islands Tour of Nha Trang: $55
- 3-Day Motorbike Adventure from Nha Trang to Da Lat - Easy Rider: $241
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 dayNha Trang $18Luang Prabang $1.78
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nha Trang and Luang Prabang, we can see that Nha Trang 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 Nha Trang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nha Trang 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 Nha Trang Expensive? and Is Luang Prabang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nha Trang or Luang Prabang?
Nha Trang has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Luang Prabang. When comparing the sizes of Nha Trang 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 Nha Trang 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 Nha Trang or Luang Prabang in the Summer?
Both Luang Prabang and Nha Trang are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nha Trang 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 Nha Trang is January to August. The rainy season in Nha Trang is September to December. It rains a lot this time of the year in Luang Prabang. In July, Nha Trang usually receives less rain than Luang Prabang. Nha Trang gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In July, Nha Trang is generally around the same temperature as Luang Prabang. Daily temperatures in Nha Trang average around 28°C (82°F), and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNha Trang 28°C (82°F)Luang Prabang 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Nha Trang or Luang Prabang in the Autumn?
Both Luang Prabang and Nha Trang during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Nha Trang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round.
September to December is the rainy season in Nha Trang. Luang Prabang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nha Trang. Nha Trang usually gets more rain in October than Luang Prabang. Nha Trang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 126 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.
Nha Trang is around the same temperature as Luang Prabang in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nha Trang averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNha Trang 26°C (79°F)Luang Prabang 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Nha Trang or Luang Prabang in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nha Trang and Luang Prabang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nha Trang year-round. Luang Prabang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
January to August in Nha Trang is the dry season. In January, Nha Trang usually receives more rain than Luang Prabang. Nha Trang gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In the winter, Nha Trang is a little warmer than Luang Prabang. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nha Trang in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Luang Prabang averages at about 21°C (70°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNha Trang 24°C (75°F)Luang Prabang 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Nha Trang or Luang Prabang in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Nha Trang as well as Luang Prabang. Nha Trang 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. Nha Trang usually gets less rain in April than Luang Prabang. Nha Trang gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Luang Prabang receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In April, Nha Trang is generally around the same temperature as Luang Prabang. Daily temperatures in Nha Trang average around 26°C (79°F), and Luang Prabang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNha Trang 26°C (79°F)Luang Prabang 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Luang Prabang and Nha Trang
| Nha Trang | Luang Prabang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 170 mm (6.7 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.