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

Should you visit Bagan or Hue?

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 Hue can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Bagan or Hue?

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.

Hue

Hue is a major city in central Vietnam and was historically the imperial capital. The city was the base for the imperial Nguyen Dynasty, which ruled from 1802 to 1945. During the Vietnam War the city faced many challenges. It was conquered by the Viet Cong and held for 24 days. During this time about 3,000 people were slaughtered for their political views, education level, or religious affiliation.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Vietnam.


Which place is cheaper, Hue or Bagan?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bagan is $30, while the average daily cost in Hue is $48. 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 Hue in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bagan $7.36
    Hue $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bagan $15
    Hue $46
Compare Hotels in Bagan and Hue

Looking for a hotel in Bagan or Hue? 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 Hue


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: Hue Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bagan $3.57
    Hue $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bagan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bagan:

  • From Bagan City To Mandalay Private Transfer: $150

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hue

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Hue:


  • Cyclo
    $0.48
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.88
  • Taxi Ride to Tombs
    $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hue

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hue:

  • Da Nang Airport: Private Transfer to/from Hue City: $107
  • Da Nang City : Private Car Transfer to Da Nang/From Hue City: $95
  • Da Nang: Airport Transfer Pick up Service: $5.91
  • Da Nang: Private Car Transfer to Hue Via My Son Sanctuary: $139
  • Daily Transfer Hue - Hoi An with sightseeing on the way: $63
  • Danang: Transfer to/from Hue by Private Car via Hai Van Pass: $41
  • Deluxe Transfer Hue to Hoi An by Amazing way: $25
  • From Da Nang : Private Transfer to Hue via Hai Van pass: $35
  • From Hue : Transfer Hue To Hoi An with Sightseeing: $16
  • From Hue Private Transfer to Phong Nha via DMZ & sightseeing: $67
  • From Hue to Golden Bridge - Ba Na Via Hai Van Pass (Private Roundtrip Transfer): $85
  • From Bach Ma National Park Private Car Transfer: $121

Is it cheaper to fly into Bagan or Hue?

Prices for flights to both Hue 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 $5.95
    Hue $15

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 Hue

Some typical examples of dining costs in Hue are as follows:


  • River Night Market Dinner (for Two)
    $7.99
  • Two Sugarcane Drinks
    $0.80
  • Quick Lunch (for Two)
    $2.20
  • Sitdown Dinner (for Two)
    $4.39

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hue

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

  • Private Healthy Cooking Class In Ancient Vietnamese Garden: $20
  • Hue Walking Street Food Tour: $27
  • Walking street food tour: $30
  • Hue : Vegetarian Cooking Class with Local Family: $31
  • Vietnamese Cooking Class with Local Family in Hue: $31
  • Hue Food Tour by Walking or Cyclo or Motorcycle with Driver: $33
  • Hue Food Tour by Walking or Cyclo or Motorbike with Driver: $33
  • Home Cooking Class in Hue City : $35
  • Hue Walking Food Tour: $35
  • Best Hue Street Food Tour: $35
  • Exploring Hue Food Tour with Local Guide : $35
  • Home Vegan/Vegetarian Cooking Class with Local Girl: $35

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bagan $57
    Hue $11

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
  • Mount Popa Tour: $42
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Hue

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hue are as follows:


  • Boat Ride
    $7.79
  • Bicycle Rental (One Day)
    $1.12
  • Imperial Citadel Entrance
    $3.20
  • Massage at Institute for the Blind
    $1.60

Tours and Activities in Hue

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hue are as follows:

  • Traditional Singing on Huong River Ticket: $3.82
  • Hue City Tour by Private Car & English Speaking Driver: $8.80
  • Hue Car Rental: Sightseeing City Day Trip by Car with Driver: $9.23
  • Sightseeing Travel Bus from Hue to Hoi An: $12
  • Discover Vietnamese Cuisine E-Ticket: $15
  • Hue Hoi An Bus Tour Sightseeing via Hai Van Pass 4 Stops: $15
  • Sightseeing Bus from Hue to Hoi An (Seat in Coach): $15
  • Hue Imperial City Sightseeing Full-Day Trip From Hue: $16
  • From Hue : Full-Day Hue Imperial City Tour with Lunch: $16
  • Hue : City Highlights Full Day Tour with Lunch: $16
  • BUS TOUR HUE - PHONG NHA: $16
  • HUE - HOI AN BUS TOUR (S.I.C): $16

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bagan -
    Hue $5.79

Typical Alcohol Prices in Hue

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Hue:


  • Beer
    $1.00


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bagan and Hue, we can see that Hue 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 Hue would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hue 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 Hue Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bagan or Hue?

Hue has a larger population, and is about 960 times larger than the population of Bagan. When comparing the sizes of Bagan and Hue, 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.