Which place is cheaper, Ulaanbaatar or Aqaba?
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 Aqaba or Ulaanbaatar?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Ulaanbaatar, 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: Aqaba or Ulaanbaatar?
Aqaba
Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.
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 Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mongolia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Mongolia.
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Aqaba Prices
Jordan PricesUlaanbaatar Prices
Mongolia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAqaba $157Ulaanbaatar $30
The average daily cost (per person) in Aqaba is $157, 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 Aqaba and Ulaanbaatar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAqaba $59Ulaanbaatar $11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAqaba $118Ulaanbaatar $22
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Ulaanbaatar
Looking for a hotel in Aqaba 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.
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: Aqaba Hotel Prices and Ulaanbaatar Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Aqaba $24Ulaanbaatar $2.79
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:
- Aqaba Airport (AQJ) to Aqaba hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $61
- Aqaba Airport (AQJ) to Petra - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $142
- Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Aqaba: $35
- Aqaba Airport Transfer to Petra: $90
- Aqaba Hussein Airport (AQJ) to Petra - Arrival Private Transfer: $71
- Aqaba or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Dead Sea: $185
- Aqaba or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Petra: $105
- Aqaba or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Wadi Rum: $60
- Aqaba to Aqaba Hussein Airport (AQJ) - Departure Private Transfer: $31
- From Transfer to Amman Hotels or Amman Airport: $113
- Private Transfer Aqaba Airport to Amman Queen Alia Airport: $153
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Allenby King Hussein Bridge: $173
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ulaanbaatar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ulaanbaatar:
- Airport - Ulaanbaatar transfer service: $40
- Airport transfer service: $50
- BEST 5* Chinggis Khaan Airport UBN Ulaanbaatar Transfer Taxi 24/7: $23
- Best Price :Terelj National Park Best Non-Guided Transfers: $36
- Chinggis Khaan Airport (UBN) Taxi Transfers to/from Ulaanbaatar: $23
- New Ulaanbaatar International Airport Transfer Service: $45
- Private Transfer from Chinggis Khaan Airport to Ulaanbaatar: $23
- Private Transfer to Ulaanbaatar Airport UBN by private Vehicule: $53
- Private Transfers in Ulaanbaatar – Flexible & Reliable: $75
- Transfer Service to Khustai National Park: $178
- Ulaanbaatar Airport Transfer and Private Car with Driver: $40
- Airport Transfer Taxi Shuttle Pick Up: $23
Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Ulaanbaatar?
Prices for flights to both Ulaanbaatar and Aqaba 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 dayAqaba $73Ulaanbaatar $15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.
- Suhaila (connecting through cooking): $50
- Traditional Bedouin Cooking Experience in the Desert: $50
- "Wadi Rum Jeep Tour + Bedouin Camp & Dinner Under the Stars: $80
- Explore Wadi Rum: Jeep Tour, Bed and Breakfast, and Dinner: $83
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight in Bedouin Camp & Dinner: $100
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight & Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $110
- 2 Day Wadi Rum Tour: Traditional Dinner and Starlit Cave Camp: $115
- Half Day Sunset Tour + Dinner & overnight stay in luxury tents: $286
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ulaanbaatar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ulaanbaatar.
- Ulaanbaatar Walking Tour & Cooking Class in a Mongolian Home: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aqaba $54Ulaanbaatar $4.24
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Turgut camp with tour: $15
- Aqaba Local Tour: $28
- Aqaba Walking Tour : History ,Culture & Food: $30
- Wadi Rum Half-day Jeep Tour incl. sandboard, water & Bedouin tea: $30
- Two-hour Jeep tour - Wadi Rum desert: $30
- Private Walking Tour in Aqaba City with Free Meal: $30
- Glass-Bottom Boat 2-hours Tour and Coral-Reef Viewing from Aqaba: $30
- Stargazing Adventure in Jordan: $30
- 2 Hours Morning or Sunset Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
- 2 Hour Jeep Tour - Wadi Rum Desert & Canyon: $35
- Camel Tours in Wadi Rum Desert | Magic Bedouin Star: $37
- Wadi Rum: Explorer Jeep Tour PASS + Local Food + Optional Stay: $38
Tours and Activities in Ulaanbaatar
Here are a few actual costs in Ulaanbaatar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Terelj National Park Via Genghis Khan Statue Full Day Tour: $35
- Gobi Cashmere Flagship Store Shopping Tour: $35
- Terelj national park transport /Best price tour: $36
- Private custom walking tour with a local guide: $40
- Ulaanbaatar Private Custom Walking Tour With a Local Guide: $45
- Custom-made city walking tour (Naadam venue-July 11, 12th only): $45
- Genghis Khan Tour – Mongolia’s #1 Daily Escape: $50
- Genghis Khan Tour – Mongolia’s #1 Daily Escape: $50
- Private custom tour with a local guide: $52
- Chinggis Khaan Statue and Turtle Rock Day Tour: $55
- From UB: Day Tour to Chinggis khaan statue and Terelj NP.: $58
- From UB:Chinggis Khan Statue&Turtle Rock&Aryapala temple Day Tour: $59
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAqaba $9.07Ulaanbaatar $3.67
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aqaba and Ulaanbaatar, we can see that Aqaba is more expensive. And not only is Ulaanbaatar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aqaba is in Middle East 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 Aqaba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aqaba 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 Aqaba Expensive? and Is Ulaanbaatar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Aqaba or Ulaanbaatar?
Ulaanbaatar has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Aqaba. When comparing the sizes of Aqaba 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.
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.