Which place is cheaper, Pattaya or Bagan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bagan or Pattaya?
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 Pattaya can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Bagan or Pattaya?
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.
Pattaya
Go where the locals go. If that is your vacation motto, you will want to take a look at the popular weekend getaway of Pattaya, Thailand. This seaside resort on the Eastern Gulf Coast of Thailand is just outside of Bangkok, and full of resorts, beer bars and beaches.
Hosting more than five million visitors a year, Pattaya is easily accessed from the capital and the airport. Keep in mind, the sex tourism industry is still a large money earner for this city, but efforts by local authorities have created resorts and attractions for families and vacationers from all around the world.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBagan $19Pattaya $72
The average daily cost (per person) in Bagan is $19, while the average daily cost in Pattaya is $72. 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 Pattaya in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBagan $4.76Pattaya $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBagan $9.52Pattaya $52
Compare Hotels in Bagan and Pattaya
Looking for a hotel in Bagan or Pattaya? 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: Pattaya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bagan $2.31Pattaya $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bagan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bagan:
- From Bagan City To Mandalay Private Transfer: $150
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pattaya
Also for Pattaya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Hotel in Pattaya to U-Tapao Airport Transfer: $41
- 3 Hours Private Hotel to Airport Departure Transfers in Rayong: $94
- Admission Ticket to Underwater World Pattaya with Return Transfer: $41
- Airport transfer in Rayong from Airport to Hotel (UTP): $36
- Arrival Bangkok Airport Private Transfer : Rayong/ Koh Samed: $83
- Bangkok Hotel Transfer: to/from Pattaya Hotel Transfer: $105
- Bangkok Private Transfer from Pattaya city to Bangkok (BKK) Airport: $117
- Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya Transfer: $43
- Colosseum Cabaret Show Pattaya, Tickets & Transfers: $27
- DMK Airport to Pattaya Hotel Transfer (Private): $75
- Departure Private Airport Transfer : Rayong/Koh Samed Hotel to Bangkok Airport: $107
- Flower Land Pattaya Admission Ticket with Return Transfer: $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Bagan or Pattaya?
Prices for flights to both Pattaya 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 $3.85Pattaya $24
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 Pattaya
For Pattaya, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- All Star Dinner Cruise, Cabaret Show & Beer Buffet: $42
- All Star Dinner Cruise in Pattaya with Cabaret Show: $43
- Pattaya Night Guided Tour with Dinner: $52
- Thai Cooking Class in Pattaya: $74
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bagan $37Pattaya $22
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 Fullday Sightseeing by Car and Horse-cart: $184
- Bagan Horse Cart Ride Tour with Puppet Show: $160
- Bagan Instagram Photo Tour: $179
- Bagan Sightseeing Tour with Horse Cart: $86
- Bagan and Mount Popa Private Tour (2 Days): $90
- Full Day Bagan Tour: $160
- Best Bagan One Day Tour With Tour Guide: $48
- Day Cruise Bagan to Mandalay: $31
- Excellent Private Guided Tour Around Bagan With Lunch: $88
Tours and Activities in Pattaya
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pattaya.
- Floating Market Entry Ticket: $3.18
- Pattaya sheep Farm Entrance Tickets: $4.00
- Art in Paradise Pattaya Admission Ticket: $6.00
- Fairy Sweet Village Pattaya Entry ticket: $6.01
- Art in Paradise Pattaya Entrance (Ticket Only): $6.91
- Mini Siam Entry Ticket: $7.36
- Entry Ticket for Art in Paradise 3D Art Museum in Pattaya: $7.93
- Pattaya : Coral Island Tour by Speedboat with Indian Lunch & Pick Up from Hotel: $8.39
- Coral Island Tour with Indian Lunch for Indians: $8.54
- Half-day Coral Island Join Tour with Lunch from Pattaya: $8.54
- Pattaya Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Thailand Love in Museum Entry Tickets: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBagan -Pattaya $8.89
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bagan and Pattaya, we can see that Pattaya 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 Pattaya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pattaya 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 Pattaya Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bagan or Pattaya?
Pattaya has a larger population, and is about 320 times larger than the population of Bagan. When comparing the sizes of Bagan and Pattaya, 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.