Which place is cheaper, Bali or Bagan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Bagan or Bali?
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 Bali can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Bagan or Bali?
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.
Bali
Known as the "Island of the Gods," it's not difficult to see why the Gods would want to set up shop in Bali. With a beautifully diverse landscape of hills, mountains, coastlines, beaches, vibrant rice fields and volcanic hillsides, you'll easily go into sensory overload.
Bali is home to 4 million people who all hold true to a deeply spiritual and unique culture. With champion surfing, world class resorts and challenging hiking trails, this Indonesian island accommodates travelers from every walk of life. It's often called, "paradise on earth, " and no one disagrees.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia.
-
Bagan Prices
Myanmar PricesBali Prices
Indonesia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBagan $34Bali $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Bagan is $34, while the average daily cost in Bali is $79. 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 Bali in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBagan $7.36Bali $37
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBagan $15Bali $74
Compare Hotels in Bagan and Bali
Looking for a hotel in Bagan or Bali? 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: Bali Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bagan $3.57Bali $8.07
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 Bali
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bali:
-
Motorbike Rental$2.77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bali
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bali:
- Bali Airport Private Departure Transfer: $8.00
- Bali Jet Ski, Parasailing, Banana, and Donut Boat with Transfer: $74
- Bali Nusa Dua Combo Parasailing And Snorkeling Include Transfer: $40
- Bali Parasailing Adventure, Sea Walker, Donut Boat with Transfer: $68
- Bali Parasailing Adventure,Banana Boat,Jet Ski and Donut Boat with Transfers: $66
- Bali Quad and Buggy Discovery Tour, Including Round-Trip Transfer: $76
- Bali Sea Walker, Parasailing Adventure, Donut Boat with Transfer: $67
- Bali Spa Treatment with Airport Transfers (Departure): $64
- Bali Ultimate Watersport Package and Optional Transfers: $64
- Denpasar Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $25
- Denpasar Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $25
- Devdan Treasure of the Archipelago Show with Transfer from Bali: $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Bagan or Bali?
Prices for flights to both Bali 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 dayBagan $10Bali $32
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 Bali
Some typical examples of dining costs in Bali are as follows:
-
Coffee$1.11
-
Lunch for Two$12
-
Bali Cafe for Two$24
-
Lunch for Two$7.21
-
Lunch for 2$7.99
-
Dinner for 2$8.76
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bali
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bali.
- Best Romantic Seafood Dinner at Jimbaran Beach Sunset: $30
- Bali Sunset and Dinner: Uluwatu, Tanah Lot and Jimbaran: $32
- Romantic Seafood Dinner at Jimbaran beach: $38
- Private Tour Uluwatu Sunset Kecak Dance and Dinner at Jimbaran: $41
- Nusa Dua Cooking Class With Spice Herb Garden Visit-Free Pick Up: $42
- Spice Garden, Jamu & Cooking Class in Bali Village: $55
- Kekeb Cooking Class at Nusa Dua: $55
- Uluwatu Temple Sunset Tour & Dinner at Jimbaran Bay: $63
- Bali Famous Beach, Kecak Dance, Uluwatu Temple, Sunset, Dinner: $65
- Bali Street Food Tour: $65
- Ubud Slow Afternoon with Balinese Cooking Class: $69
- Jimbaran Beach Sunset Candlelight Dinner with Indian Set Menu: $75
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bagan $57Bali $9.68
Tours and Activities in Bagan
Here are a few actual costs in Bagan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Day Cruise Bagan to Mandalay: $31
- Old Bagan Sightseeing Tour: $43
- Old Bagan Biking Tour - Half Day (Guide included): $45
- Private Bagan Cultural Tour: $46
- Best Bagan One Day Tour With Tour Guide: $48
- Private Day Tour to Mt Popa: $48
- Visiting Mount Popa from Bagan - Private Tour: $48
- Full Day tour In Bagan UNESCO World Heritage: $50
- BAGAN TEMPLES FULL DAY GUIDED BY ELECTRIC BIKE ( Private Tour ): $64
- Tuk Tuk tour to Mt. Popa: $67
- Full day Adventure Trip in Bagan with Tuk Tuk: $72
- Bagan Antique Day Tour in Bagan: $86
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bali
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bali are as follows:
-
Spa for Two$48
-
Snorkelling Trip$11
-
Cooking School$25
Tours and Activities in Bali
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bali are as follows:
- Tickets for the Kecak Dance Performance at Uluwatu Temple: $11
- Kecak and Fire Dance Ticket at Uluwatu Temple: $12
- Secret Comedy Night Bali Ticket: $12
- Uluwatu Kecak Tickets A Spectacular Show: $18
- Kanto Lampo Penglipuran Swing Kehen Temple Private Guided Tour: $18
- Best Full Day Of Ubud Private Guided Tour: $19
- Bali Jetski Watersport Nusa Dua Beach Experience: $20
- Private ATV Quad Bike Guided Adventure in Ubud: $23
- Bali Full Day Uluwatu Highlights Tour: $23
- Ulu Petanu Waterfall Monkey Forest And Swing Private Guided Tour: $24
- Iconic Uluwatu Sunset & Kecak Fire Dance – Private Half-Day Tour: $25
- Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking and Rice Terrace Adventure: $25
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBagan -Bali $2.86
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bagan and Bali, we can see that Bali is more expensive. And not only is Bagan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Bali would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bali 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 Bali Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bagan or Bali?
Bali has a larger population, and is about 1350 times larger than the population of Bagan. When comparing the sizes of Bagan and Bali, 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.