Which place is cheaper, Nara 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 Nara?
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 Nara can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Bagan or Nara?
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.
Nara
As Japan's first capital, Nara offers a world of tradition and culture second only to the city of Kyoto. It is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which are largely concentrated in the area of Nara Park. Here, it is also common to see many deer wandering freely amongst the temples and shrines.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.
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Bagan Prices
Myanmar PricesNara Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBagan $34Nara $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Bagan is $34, while the average daily cost in Nara 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 Nara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBagan $7.36Nara $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBagan $15Nara $100
Compare Hotels in Bagan and Nara
Looking for a hotel in Bagan or Nara? 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: Nara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bagan $3.57Nara $5.62
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 Nara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nara:
- City-to-City Transfer, from Nara to Each City in Kansai: $206
Is it cheaper to fly into Bagan or Nara?
Prices for flights to both Nara 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 $10Nara $47
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nara.
- Uji Matcha & Tea Culture Food Tour with Licensed Guide: $108
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bagan $57Nara $7.53
Tours and Activities in Bagan
Here are a few actual costs in Bagan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Visit lacquerware workshop in MIn Nan Thu village from Bagan - Private tour: $14
- 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
- Private Day Tour to Mt Popa: $48
- Visiting Mount Popa from Bagan - Private Tour: $48
- Full Day tour In Bagan UNESCO World Heritage: $50
- Tuk Tuk tour to Mt. Popa: $67
- Full day Adventure Trip in Bagan with Tuk Tuk: $72
- Bagan Antique Day Tour in Bagan: $86
- Excellent Private Guided Tour Around Bagan With Lunch: $88
Tours and Activities in Nara
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nara are as follows:
- Traditional Chopstick Making Workshop Experience Japan: $20
- Nara Deer Park Todaiji and Buddha Temple Walking Tour: $25
- Nara Station Bamboo Lantern Craft Experience: $26
- Nara Art Clock Making Workshop Experience: $26
- Nara Craft Tours - local Craft beers tour experience in Nara City: $27
- Nara Highlights Private Walking Tour with Local Guide: $41
- All must-sees in 3 hours - Nara Park Classic Tour! From JR Nara!: $43
- Book for 4 or more! “Sushi Experience Course” in Nara: $43
- Hand Made Udon Noodle Experience Class in Nara: $50
- Nara 3-Hour Guided Tour: Deer Park & Todaiji Highlights: $52
- Nara Deer, Great Buddha & Traditional Mochi Experience: $52
- Must see attractions tour with English Speaking Guide: $55
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBagan -Nara $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Nara
Also in Nara, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Nara Afternoon Sake guided walk: Brewery Visit & Local Streets: $111
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bagan and Nara, we can see that Nara 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 Nara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nara 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 Nara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bagan or Nara?
Nara has a larger population, and is about 1220 times larger than the population of Bagan. When comparing the sizes of Bagan and Nara, 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.