Which place is cheaper, Nikko 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 Nikko?
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 Nikko can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Bagan or Nikko?
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.
Nikko
Nikko is a small Japanese city located in the mountains north of Tokyo. It is well-known for the site of Toshogu, a famed Shinto shrine established in 1617, in memory of Tokugawa Ieyasu who was the founding ruler of the Edo Period. The town is situated just outside of Nikko National Park which offers scenic mountain landscapes, lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, wild monkeys, and hiking trails.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Japan, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan.
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Bagan Prices
Myanmar PricesNikko Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBagan $34Nikko $100
The average daily cost (per person) in Bagan is $34, while the average daily cost in Nikko is $100. 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 Nikko in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBagan $7.36Nikko $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBagan $15Nikko $88
Compare Hotels in Bagan and Nikko
Looking for a hotel in Bagan or Nikko? 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: Nikko Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bagan $3.57Nikko -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bagan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bagan:
- From Bagan City To Mandalay Private Transfer: $180
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bagan Nyaung-U Airport (NYU): $14
Is it cheaper to fly into Bagan or Nikko?
Prices for flights to both Nikko 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 $10Nikko $51
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bagan $57Nikko $21
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 TEMPLES FULL DAY GUIDED BY ELECTRIC BIKE ( Private Tour ): $64
- Bagan Antique Day Tour in Bagan: $86
- Bagan Cycling Tour ( Villages & Temples Cycling Explorer): $129
- Bagan Fullday Sightseeing by Car and Horse-cart: $184
- Bagan Horse Cart Ride Tour with Puppet Show: $170
- Bagan Instagram Photo Tour: $179
- Bagan and Mount Popa Private Tour (2 Days): $90
- Full Day Bagan Tour: $295
- Best Bagan One Day Tour With Tour Guide: $48
- Day Cruise Bagan to Mandalay: $31
- Faces of Bagan Private Photography Tour: $199
Tours and Activities in Nikko
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nikko.
- Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura Ticket: $60
- Private Tea Ceremony & Kimono Experience in Nikko: $64
- Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura Admission Ticket: $65
- Nikko Early Morning Tour (Tokyo Departure Option Available): $70
- Nikko World Heritage Walking Tour with Toshogu Shrine & Lunch: $83
- Kegon Falls & Lake Chuzenji 3-Hour E-Bike Tour: $83
- Visit the Unexplored Regions of Lake Chuzenji-Scenic Trekking and Rafting Tour: $89
- Tokyo Nikko Day Tour: $95
- Hidden Canyoning Adventure in Nikko: $96
- Lake Chuzenji Scenic E-Bike & Hike Tour: $96
- Nikko Three Waterfalls E-Bike Tour: Kegon, Ryuzu and Yudaki Falls: $96
- Bask in the beauty of winter Nikko in this unforgettable ice climbing experience: $107
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBagan -Nikko $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bagan and Nikko, we can see that Nikko 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 Nikko would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nikko 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 Nikko Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bagan or Nikko?
Nikko has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Bagan. When comparing the sizes of Bagan and Nikko, 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.