A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Antananarivo vs. Ulaanbaatar for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Antananarivo or Ulaanbaatar?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Antananarivo and Ulaanbaatar can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Antananarivo or Ulaanbaatar?

Antananarivo

Antananarivo is the capital of Madagascar; it is also sometimes referred to as Tana. This city is the cultural and political center of Madagascar as a whole. There are multiple universities, museums, and other social venues in the city, as well as a national rugby team. This city has a very apparent French influence.

Ulaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar is Mongolia's capital city. It has a population of slightly over two million people, or about sixty percent of the country's entire population. You are likely to arrive in Ulaanbaatar either by train, coming from China or Russia, or by plane. Many people use Ulaanbaatar as a stop off while doing the Transsiberian Railway. The city is a great place to organize a tour of the surrounding countryside. It's also good city to relax, so make sure you allow yourself a few days to recover from your tour, enjoy some of the great food options, and see some of the fascinating cultural sights around town.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Madagascar, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Madagascar, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mongolia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Mongolia.


Which place is cheaper, Ulaanbaatar or Antananarivo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Antananarivo is $93, while the average daily cost in Ulaanbaatar is $30. 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 Antananarivo and Ulaanbaatar in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Antananarivo $30
    Ulaanbaatar $11
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Antananarivo $60
    Ulaanbaatar $22
Compare Hotels in Antananarivo and Ulaanbaatar

Looking for a hotel in Antananarivo or Ulaanbaatar? 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.

Hotels in Antananarivo


Hotels in Ulaanbaatar


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: Antananarivo Hotel Prices and Ulaanbaatar Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Antananarivo $14
    Ulaanbaatar $2.80

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antananarivo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Antananarivo:

  • Cheap Transfer Airport Hotel & Car rental in Antananarivo: $18
  • Private Airport Transfert Ivato Antananarivo: $40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ulaanbaatar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ulaanbaatar:

  • Airport Transfer Taxi Shuttle Pick Up: $20
  • ULN Airport to Downtown|Hotels Private Transfer: $21
  • BEST 5* Chinggis Khaan Airport UBN to Ulaanbaatar Transfer Taxi: $24
  • Private Airport Transfer taxi in Ulaanbaatar: $30
  • Private Transfer from Chinggis Khaan Airport to Ulaanbaatar: $38
  • Airport - Ulaanbaatar transfer service: $40
  • Terelj National Park Best Non-Guided Transfers in Mongolia: $41
  • Genghis Khan Statue & Terel parkj / Non-Guided Transfers: $41
  • Chinggis Khaan Airport (UBN) Private Transfer to Ulaanbaatar City: $47
  • Private Transfer between New Ulaanbaatar International Airport and Ulaanbaatar : $60
  • VIP Airport Transfer-Cadillac Escalade (6 Passengers+6 Luggage): $266

Is it cheaper to fly into Antananarivo or Ulaanbaatar?

Prices for flights to both Ulaanbaatar and Antananarivo 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Antananarivo $50
    Ulaanbaatar $15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antananarivo

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Antananarivo.

  • Cooking And Cuisine Tasting From Tana-Malagasy Fine Foodie Madagascar Tour: $245

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ulaanbaatar

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ulaanbaatar.

  • Cooking Class in a Traditional Ger Home in Ulaanbaatar Suburbs: $172

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Antananarivo $24
    Ulaanbaatar $4.25

Tours and Activities in Antananarivo

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Antananarivo are as follows:

  • Antananarivo Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour: $25
  • Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $30
  • Antananarivo : Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $38
  • Guided Tour and sunset in queen's palace: $68
  • Private Tour Through the Wildlife of Madagascar and the Kingdom of Rova: $149
  • Half-Day Private Tour in Lemur's Park: $150
  • Day - Tour Ampefy: $156
  • 4-Hours Night Tour of Antananarivo: $179
  • Madagascar: Customizable Tour with Car Rental Antananarivo: $206
  • Antananarivo : Day tour to Mantasoa Lake: $210
  • Full Day Private Tour in Antananarivo: $221
  • Lemurs Park & City Tour: $245

Tours and Activities in Ulaanbaatar

Here are a few actual costs in Ulaanbaatar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Terelj national park transport /Best price tour: $45
  • Secrets of the Mongol Script: 1-Hour Script Experience: $49
  • Chinggis Khaan Statue and Turtle Rock Day Tour: $49
  • Private custom tour with a local guide: $51
  • From Chinggis Khaan Statue and Turtle Rock Day Tour: $59
  • Private Tour drive to Chinggis Khan Statue & Terelj National Park: $60
  • Chinggis Khaan Museum Highlights Private Tour: $68
  • Traditional Music and Dance Performance Ticket: $69
  • Bogd Khan Mountain Hike with Monastery Tour: $70
  • Private Jeep City tour with English Speaking Driver : $70
  • Day Coach Tour of Aglag Buteel Monastery and Meditation Center Including Lunch : $72
  • Nightlife Bar Hopping Adventure in Ulaanbaatar: $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Antananarivo $9.69
    Ulaanbaatar $3.68


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antananarivo and Ulaanbaatar, we can see that Antananarivo is more expensive. And not only is Ulaanbaatar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Antananarivo is in Africa and Ulaanbaatar is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Ulaanbaatar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ulaanbaatar 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 Antananarivo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Antananarivo than you might in Ulaanbaatar.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Antananarivo Expensive? and Is Ulaanbaatar Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Antananarivo or Ulaanbaatar?

Antananarivo has a larger population, and is about 65% larger than the population of Ulaanbaatar. When comparing the sizes of Antananarivo and Ulaanbaatar, 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.

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