A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bagan vs. Auckland for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bagan or Auckland?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bagan and Auckland can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Bagan or Auckland?

Bagan

Located in central Myanmar (formerly Burma), Bagan is an ancient city best known as the home to the largest and densest concentration of Buddhist temples, pagodas, stupas, and ruins in the world with many dating from the 11th and 12th centuries.

Auckland

Auckland is located on the North Island of New Zealand on an isthmus between the Northland Peninsula and the other parts of the North Island. Auckland is not only a city but also a region. In 2010 New Zealand combined what had previously been four separate cities into one region. These cities include the southern city of Manukau, the western city of Waitakere, the North Shore in the north, and Auckland City. The City of Auckland is the largest city in Polynesia and is very diverse with many expatriates from elsewhere in Polynesia. This diversity becomes most apparent in Auckland's many festivals and sporting events.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Auckland or Bagan?

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 Bagan is $34, while the average daily cost in Auckland is $172. 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 Bagan and Auckland in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bagan $7.36
    Auckland $100
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bagan $15
    Auckland $200
Compare Hotels in Bagan and Auckland

Looking for a hotel in Bagan or Auckland? 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 Bagan


Hotels in Auckland


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: Auckland Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bagan $3.57
    Auckland $18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bagan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bagan:

  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bagan Nyaung-U Airport (NYU): $14
  • From Bagan City To Mandalay Private Transfer: $180

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Auckland

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Auckland:


  • Bus from Airport
    $9.57
  • Airport Shuttle
    $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Auckland

Also for Auckland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Transfer: Auckland Airport AKL to Auckland by Luxury Van: $134
  • Airport Transfer: Auckland to Auckland Airport AKL by Luxury Car: $157
  • Arrival Private Transfer Auckland Airport to North Shore or Henderson Luxury Car: $127
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Auckland Airport AKL to Auckland City: $119
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Auckland Airport AKL to Auckland City by Luxury Van: $112
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Auckland Airport AKL to Auckland City by Sedan Car: $88
  • Arrival Transfer: Auckland Airport to Auckland Central City Centre: $25
  • Auckland Airport (AKL) to North Shore - Arrival Private Transfer: $109
  • Auckland Airport (AKL) to North Shore-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $218
  • Auckland Airport Private One-Way or Round-Trip Transfer: $70
  • Auckland Airport Private Transfer: $81
  • Auckland Airport Taxi Transfers for Stress-Free Travel: $84

Is it cheaper to fly into Bagan or Auckland?

Prices for flights to both Auckland and Bagan 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
    Bagan $10
    Auckland $46

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bagan

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

  • Romantic Sunset Dinner At Bagan Viewing Tower: $91

Typical Food Prices in Auckland

For Auckland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Breakfast
    $4.79

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Auckland

For Auckland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Harbour Sailing Cruise with 3-Course Dinner: $93
  • Flavours of the City Walking Food Tour: $101
  • Auckland Harbour Sailboat Cruise Including Three Course Dinner: $102
  • Ponsonby Road Food Tour in Auckland: $113
  • Auckland Downtown Food Tour with 5 Locals Favorite Dishes: $129
  • Waiheke Island: Private Sunset Wine Tour & 2 Course Dinner: $392
  • Māori Evening Dinner and Private Show Experience: $519
  • From Kiwi Bird Encounter & 3-Course Dinner Tour: $550

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bagan $57
    Auckland $28

Tours and Activities in Bagan

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

  • Amazing Bagan, full day tour by car and guide: $90
  • BAGAN TEMPLES FULL DAY GUIDED BY ELECTRIC BIKE ( Private Tour ): $64
  • Bagan Antique Day Tour in Bagan: $86
  • Bagan Cycling Tour ( Villages & Temples Cycling Explorer): $129
  • Bagan Fullday Sightseeing by Car and Horse-cart: $184
  • Bagan Horse Cart Ride Tour with Puppet Show: $170
  • Bagan Instagram Photo Tour: $179
  • Bagan and Mount Popa Private Tour (2 Days): $90
  • Full Day Bagan Tour: $295
  • Best Bagan One Day Tour With Tour Guide: $48
  • Day Cruise Bagan to Mandalay: $31
  • Faces of Bagan Private Photography Tour: $199

Typical Entertainment Prices in Auckland

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Auckland's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Auckland Sky Tour (for 2)
    $33
  • Waiheke Island Tour (for 2)
    $121

Tours and Activities in Auckland

For Auckland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Auckland to Volcanoes: North Island Self-Guided Adventure: $8.27
  • Auckland War Memorial Museum Entry Ticket: $9.27
  • Auckland City Self Guided Walking Tour with an APP: $9.99
  • A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Auckland's Hidden Stories: $12
  • Maritime Museum Entry Ticket and Guided Tour: $14
  • Maritime Museum Entry Ticket: $14
  • Explore Self Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Skip the Line: Auckland Museum General Admission Ticket: $16
  • Vibrosaun Therapy Experience: $18
  • Waitematā Harbour Cruise with Live Commentary: $20
  • Odyssey Sensory Maze Entry Auckland Ticket: $23
  • Scenic Harbour Cruise in Auckland: $23

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bagan -
    Auckland $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Auckland

Also in Auckland, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Waiheke Island: Scenic Island Wine Tour & Local Wine Tasting: $110
  • Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour in Auckland with 3-Course Vineyard Lunch: $120
  • Kumeu Wineries, Muriwai / Hallertau Brewery: $153
  • Waiheke Island: The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour: $159
  • Waiheke Island: Wine Tour & Lunch at Award Winning Venue: $168
  • Piha Waitakere Rainforest Wine Tour from Auckland: $177
  • Muriwai GANNET Colony & Wine Tasting - Half Day Tour Ex Auckland: $180
  • From Small Group Kumeu Wine Tour with Lunch: $180
  • Kumeu Wine Tasting & Local Flavours Tour: Vines, Brews & Views: $180
  • Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour with Platter Lunch: $183
  • Small-Group Kumeu Wine Country Tour with Wine Tastings & Lunch: $186
  • City Tour with Wine Tasting and Black Sand Beach: $217


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bagan and Auckland, we can see that Auckland is more expensive. And not only is Bagan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bagan is in Asia and Auckland is in Pacific, 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 Bagan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bagan 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 Auckland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Auckland than you might in Bagan.

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


Which is Bigger, Bagan or Auckland?

Auckland has a larger population, and is about 1390 times larger than the population of Bagan. When comparing the sizes of Bagan and Auckland, 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.