Which place is cheaper, Matsue 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 Matsue?
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 Matsue can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Bagan or Matsue?
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.
Matsue
Matsue, Japan is located on the scenic shores of Lake Shinji in the Shimane Prefecture. Matsue is the capital city of the prefecture and is known as the water city due to being located between Lake Shinji, Lake Nakaumi, and the Sea of Japan. This historically rich city is famous for being a laid back samurai village with stunning sunsets and traditional confectioneries.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.
-
Bagan Prices
Myanmar PricesMatsue Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBagan $34Matsue $83
The average daily cost (per person) in Bagan is $34, while the average daily cost in Matsue is $83. 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 Matsue in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBagan $7.36Matsue $25
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBagan $15Matsue $50
Compare Hotels in Bagan and Matsue
Looking for a hotel in Bagan or Matsue? 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: Matsue Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bagan $3.57Matsue $19
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Matsue
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Matsue:
- Private Transfer Yonago Airport: $61
Is it cheaper to fly into Bagan or Matsue?
Prices for flights to both Matsue 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 $10Matsue $46
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
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bagan $57Matsue $8.55
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
- Best Bagan One Day Tour With Tour Guide: $48
- Visiting Mount Popa from Bagan - Private Tour: $48
- Private Day Tour to Mt Popa: $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
- Private Day Adventure Trip in Bagan: $71
- Full day Adventure Trip in Bagan with Tuk Tuk: $72
- Private Day Adventure Trip to Mt. Popa from Bagan: $88
Tours and Activities in Matsue
Here are a few actual costs in Matsue for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Tour around Matsue Horikawa: $12
- Private Kimono Elegant Experience in the Castle Town of Matsue: $36
- Matsue Castle Guided Tour - With a Local Guide and an Audioguide: $38
- Izumo Traditional Cuisine Izumo Soba Making Experience: $63
- Wagashi Making Experience in Matsue: $63
- The Discover Matsue’s Old Town Walking Tour: $91
- Matsue Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide: $107
- The Best of Matsue Private Walking Tour: $195
- Private Romantic Walking Tour In Matsue: $195
- Matsue & Izumo Taisha in 1 Day Tour with Licensed Guide: $197
- Sakaiminato Semi Private Tour for Cruise Passengers: $220
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBagan -Matsue $6.65
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bagan and Matsue, we can see that Matsue 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 Matsue would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Matsue 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 Matsue Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bagan or Matsue?
Matsue has a larger population, and is about 520 times larger than the population of Bagan. When comparing the sizes of Bagan and Matsue, 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.