Which place is cheaper, Byron Bay or Bagan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bagan or Byron Bay?
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 Byron Bay can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Bagan or Byron Bay?
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.
Byron Bay
South of Brisbane, off the Pacific Highway, is the coastal town of Byron Bay. It is close to Cape Byron, which is the easternmost point in mainland Australia. Byron Bay makes its way onto most traveler's itineraries because of its wonderful beach activities. The area is world famous for its waves, making it popular with surfers, but it also has incredible scuba diving, whale watching, and a generally relaxed atmosphere. The area continues to rise in popularity with travelers and as such, amenities and facilities are popping up everywhere.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Sydney, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Melbourne.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBagan $19Byron Bay $146
The average daily cost (per person) in Bagan is $19, while the average daily cost in Byron Bay is $146. 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 Byron Bay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBagan $4.76Byron Bay $70
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBagan $9.52Byron Bay $140
Compare Hotels in Bagan and Byron Bay
Looking for a hotel in Bagan or Byron Bay? 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: Byron Bay Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bagan $2.31Byron Bay $34
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: $150
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Byron Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Byron Bay:
- Byron Bay Tandem Skydive with Transfer Options: $285
Is it cheaper to fly into Bagan or Byron Bay?
Prices for flights to both Byron Bay 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 $3.85Byron Bay $50
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 Byron Bay
Some typical examples of dining costs in Byron Bay are as follows:
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Dinner at Olivo (for 2)$62
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bagan $37Byron Bay $37
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
- Private Bagan Cultural Tour : $46
- Visiting Mount Popa from Bagan - Private Tour: $48
- Private Day Tour to Mt Popa: $48
- Full Day tour In Bagan UNESCO World Heritage: $50
- Full day Adventure Trip to Mt. Popa & Salay: $65
- Tuk Tuk tour to Mt. Popa : $67
- Private Bagan day tour by car with horse cart: $70
- Private Day Adventure Trip in Bagan : $71
- Full day Adventure Trip in Bagan with Tuk Tuk : $72
- Half Day Sightseeing With Royal Horse: $76
Typical Entertainment Prices in Byron Bay
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Byron Bay are as follows:
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Buddha Gardens Spa (for 2)$130
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Surf Lesson$45
Tours and Activities in Byron Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Byron Bay are as follows:
- Skip the Line: Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens Admission Ticket: $34
- WANDER BYRON Guided Sunrise Tours to Cape Byron Lighthouse: $34
- Brunswick River Scenic Kayak Tour: $41
- Broken Head Aboriginal Tour: $47
- Cape Byron Aboriginal Tour: $47
- Cape Byron Aboriginal Tour: $48
- Broken Head Aboriginal Tour: $48
- Sunset River Cruise near Byron Bay: $49
- Byron Surrounds: Nimbin Waterfall Adventure - Swimming Tour: $52
- Experience The Thrill Half Day Surf School in Byron Bay: $55
- Group 2.5 Hour Stand-Up Paddle Board Tour: $58
- Stand-Up Paddle Board Tour in Byron Bay: $59
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBagan -Byron Bay $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Byron Bay
Also in Byron Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Arvo Session Brewery and Distillery Tour: $101
- Afternoon Brewery and Distillery session : $103
- Full-Day Brewery and Distillery Tour with Lunch: $133
- Full Barrel Brewery and Distillery tour: $135
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bagan and Byron Bay, we can see that Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bagan or Byron Bay?
Byron Bay has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Bagan. When comparing the sizes of Bagan and Byron Bay, 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.