Which place is cheaper, Bangkok or Bagan?
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 Bagan or Bangkok?
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 Bangkok can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Bagan or Bangkok?
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.
Bangkok
Bangkok: a name synonymous with all things exotic. The vibrant and exciting capital of Thailand is not just a hub for Southeast Asia, but also a destination into itself. Known for an active nightlife and party scene, as well as great food, historic temples, and busy markets, Bangkok offers a diversity to entertain even the most experienced travelers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, and The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand.
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Bagan Prices
Myanmar PricesBangkok Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBagan $34Bangkok $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Bagan is $34, while the average daily cost in Bangkok is $103. 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 Bangkok in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBagan $7.36Bangkok $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBagan $15Bangkok $98
Compare Hotels in Bagan and Bangkok
Looking for a hotel in Bagan or Bangkok? 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: Bangkok Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bagan $3.57Bangkok $6.42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bagan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bagan:
- From Bagan City To Mandalay Private Transfer: $180
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bagan Nyaung-U Airport (NYU): $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bangkok are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk to bus station$2.46
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Skytrain Ticket$4.91
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Chao Phraya River Express Ticket$0.98
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Ferry Ride$0.80
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Taxi From Airport$7.67
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Short Taxi Ride$2.76
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Boat Taxi$1.53
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Trains to airport$4.91
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:
- Airport Private Transfers from Suvarnabhumi BKK to Bangkok City: $38
- Airport Transfer Camry/Fortuner or Similar: $45
- Airport Transfer: Bangkok Airport BKK to Bangkok by Luxury Car: $129
- Airport Transfer: Bangkok to Bangkok Airport BKK by Luxury Van: $105
- Airport private Transfer from Bangkok City to Suvarnabhumi BKK: $38
- Airport to Airport Transfer in Bangkok: $66
- Airport transfer to Bangkok downtown: $25
- Arrival Private Transfers from Bangkok Airport BKK to Bangkok in Business Car: $77
- Arrival Private Transfers from Bangkok Airport BKK to Bangkok in Luxury Van: $103
- Arrival Private Transfers: Don Mueang Airport DMK to Bangkok in Business Car: $82
- Arrival Transfer Bangkok Airport BKK to Bangkok City by Sedan: $77
- Arrival Transfer: Don Mueang Airport DMK to Bangkok by Luxury Van: $98
Is it cheaper to fly into Bagan or Bangkok?
Prices for flights to both Bangkok 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
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Food Meals for one dayBagan $10Bangkok $36
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 Bangkok
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Bangkok:
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Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe (for Two)$28
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Casual Lunch of Prawns (for Two)$6.14
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2 Rotis (Bread)$1.38
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Mango & Sticky Rice$0.92
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Lunch at KFC (for Two)$6.14
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Pad Thai$2.15
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Airport Lunch for 2$17
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Lunch for 2$23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bangkok.
- Baiyoke Sky Hotel Observation Deck Ticket with Lunch or Dinner: $24
- Twilight Dinner Cruise Along Chao Phraya River in Bangkok: $25
- Meridian Sunset Dinner Cruise - Floating Paradise From ICONSIAM Bangkok: $27
- Chao Phraya Princess Sunset and Dinner Cruise: $27
- Bangkok Sawasdee Sunset Dinner Cruise from ICONSIAM+Beer FreeFlow: $27
- Chao Phraya River Meridian Dinner Buffet Cruise Tour: $28
- Chao Phraya Princess Bangkok Sunset Dinner Cruise: $29
- Alangka Bangkok Sunset Dinner Cruise: $30
- Bangkok Sunset or Evening Dinner Cruise (The Planet Cruise): $30
- Smile Riverside Cruise Luxury Buffet Dinner from Bangkok: $31
- Nopparat’s Traditional Thai Dinner & Dance: $31
- Bangkok Newest Luxury Noah Chao Phraya River Dinner Cruise: $31
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bagan $57Bangkok $18
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 Bangkok
Here are a few typical costs in Bangkok for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Movie Ticket$4.91
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Grand Palace Entrance Ticket$11
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Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket$1.53
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Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)$6.14
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Club Cover Charge$12
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Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)$74
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Fish Pedicure$4.60
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Wat Pho entrance ticket$3.07
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Siriraj Museum (2)$12
Tours and Activities in Bangkok
Here are a few actual costs in Bangkok for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bangkok Chinatown Eats: A Self-guided Audio Tour: $5.13
- Bangkok Noi Canal: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Bangkok Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Chao Phraya Tourist Hop-On-Hop-Off Sightseeing Boat from Bangkok: $6.28
- Bangkok Walking Tour 2h40 and 22 audio reviews: $6.75
- Grand Palace Self-Guided Walking Tour (entry not incl.): $6.99
- Wat Pho Reclining Buddha Self-Guided Audio Tour (entry not incl.): $6.99
- Chinatown & Golden Buddha Self-Guided Audio Tour (entry not incl): $6.99
- Bangkok's Wireless Road: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Erawan Museum & Ancient City Admission Ticket - Bangkok: $10
- Skip the Line: Patpong Museum Guided Tour: $11
- Bangkok Meland Siam Paragon Entry Ticket: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBagan -Bangkok $5.52
Typical Alcohol Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bangkok are as follows:
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Beer$1.23
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangkok
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bangkok:
- Sunset Rooftop, TukTuk Ride, Night Market & Bar Crawl: $21
- The Original Speakeasy & Iconic Venues Pub Crawl: $22
- GoGo Bar Crawl With Party Vehicle and Party Guide: $63
- Bangkok Bar Crawl by Tuk Tuk: $69
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bagan and Bangkok, we can see that Bangkok 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 Bangkok would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bangkok 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 Bangkok Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bagan or Bangkok?
Bangkok has a larger population, and is about 17010 times larger than the population of Bagan. When comparing the sizes of Bagan and Bangkok, 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.