Which place is cheaper, Koh Phi Phi or Bagan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bagan or Koh Phi Phi?
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 Koh Phi Phi can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Bagan or Koh Phi Phi?
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.
Koh Phi Phi
The islands of Koh Phi Phi, off the coast of southwestern Thailand, are very popular with travelers because of their unrivaled tropical scenery, clear blue waters, relaxing atmosphere, and undersea attractions. However, in the last decade, Koh Phi Phi has seen a huge surge in tourism, adding to the crowds and pollution of the main (and only populated) island, known as Koh Phi Phi Don.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Thailand, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBagan $19Koh Phi Phi $81
The average daily cost (per person) in Bagan is $19, while the average daily cost in Koh Phi Phi is $81. 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 Koh Phi Phi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBagan $4.76Koh Phi Phi $46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBagan $9.52Koh Phi Phi $92
Compare Hotels in Bagan and Koh Phi Phi
Looking for a hotel in Bagan or Koh Phi Phi? 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: Koh Phi Phi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bagan $2.31Koh Phi Phi $7.80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bagan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bagan:
- From Bagan City To Mandalay Private Transfer: $150
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bagan Nyaung-U Airport (NYU): $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Phi Phi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Phi Phi:
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Ferry to Maya Beach (for 2)$17
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Longboat Taxi$3.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Phi Phi
Also for Koh Phi Phi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Ferry Transfer from Krabi Klong Jilad Pier to Phi Phi Tonsai: $14
- Koh Phi Phi to Krabi VIP Speed Boat Transfer: $40
- One-Way Departure Transfer from Phi Phi Island (Speedboat) to Phuket Airport : $57
- Phi Phi to Phuket Comfortable Transfer by Speedboat : $25
- Speedboat Transfer Phi Phi Tonsai to Phuket with Dropoff Service: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Bagan or Koh Phi Phi?
Prices for flights to both Koh Phi Phi 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 $3.85Koh Phi Phi $13
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 Koh Phi Phi
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Phi Phi:
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Crepe$1.85
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Sit Down Lunch$11
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Casual Lunch$6.49
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Coconut Donut$0.31
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Lunch at Mexican Restaurant (for 2)$12
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Sit Down Dinner$15
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bagan $37Koh Phi Phi $51
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 Antique Day Tour in Bagan: $86
- Bagan Classics Private Temples Tour: $159
- Bagan Cycling Tour ( Villages & Temples Cycling Explorer) : $129
- Bagan Fullday Sightseeing by Car and Horse-cart: $184
- Bagan and Mount Popa Private Tour (2 Days): $90
- Full Day Bagan Tour: $160
- Day Cruise Bagan to Mandalay: $31
- Full Day tour In Bagan UNESCO World Heritage: $50
- Full day Adventure Trip in Bagan with Tuk Tuk : $72
- Full day Adventure Trip to Mt. Popa & Salay: $65
- Half Day Sightseeing With Royal Horse: $76
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Phi Phi
For Koh Phi Phi, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Kayak Rental$9.27
Tours and Activities in Koh Phi Phi
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Phi Phi.
- Ferry from Phi Phi Islands to Phuket with Dropoff Service by Royal Jet Cruiser: $14
- Koh Phi Phi to Phuket by Phi Phi Cruiser: $18
- Phi Phi Island To Phuket By Phi Phi Cruiser: $18
- Phi Phi Island Half Day Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $20
- Snorkeling Phi Phi Islands Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $22
- Phi Phi Islands Sunset Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $24
- Phi Phi 7 Islands Full-Day Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $29
- Phuket Half Day Instagram Guided Group Tour: $36
- Phuket Best City & Landmark Tours: $41
- Snorkeling Phi Phi Islands Tour From Phi Phi by Speedboat: $63
- Half Day & Sunset Phi Phi Island Tour From Phi Phi by Speedboat: $63
- Early Bird Phi Phi Islands Tour From Phi Phi by Speedboat: $63
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBagan -Koh Phi Phi $6.41
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Phi Phi
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Phi Phi from other travelers:
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Mojito Bucket$15
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Banana Daiquiri$6.18
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bagan and Koh Phi Phi, we can see that Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bagan or Koh Phi Phi?
Koh Phi Phi has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bagan. When comparing the sizes of Bagan and Koh Phi Phi, 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.