A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bagan vs. Sydney for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bagan or Sydney?

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 Sydney can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Bagan or Sydney?

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.

Sydney

Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Sydney or Bagan?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bagan is $34, while the average daily cost in Sydney is $225. 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 Sydney in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bagan $7.36
    Sydney $112
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bagan $15
    Sydney $224
Compare Hotels in Bagan and Sydney

Looking for a hotel in Bagan or Sydney? 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.

Hotels in Bagan


Hotels in Sydney


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: Sydney Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bagan $3.57
    Sydney $16

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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sydney

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:


  • Taxi Ride
    $14
  • Taxi to Airport
    $18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:

  • 11:30AM Sydney Airport-Hotel transfer with Bondi Tour: $125
  • 9:30AM Sydney Airport-Hotel transfer with City Half Day Tour: $112
  • Chauffeur Airport Transfers Sydney - Up to 15 Passengers: $99
  • Chauffeur Service Sydney For Luxury Airport Transfers: $112
  • From Sydney Hotels - Hotel Transfer to Airport: $355
  • From Special Event, Festival or Conference Transfers: $661
  • Premium airport transfer to Western Suburbs: $106
  • Sydney Airport Transfer to Sydney CBD And Other Suburbs: $116
  • Sydney Airport Transfers & Sydney CBD: $53
  • Sydney Airport Vip Transfer to city: $36
  • Sydney Airport to Sydney CBD Private Transfer: $119
  • Airport Shuttle Transfer to and from CBD Hotels: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Bagan or Sydney?

Prices for flights to both Sydney 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 day
    Bagan $10
    Sydney $84

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 Sydney

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:


  • Tea
    $2.85
  • Lunch Special
    $11
  • Food/Drink Coogie Beach
    $11
  • Meat Pies
    $3.56

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sydney.

  • Vivid Festival of Light Harbor Cruise with Dinner: $36
  • City Highlights Walking Food Tour with Harbor Cruise: $45
  • Harbour Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $50
  • Roti Making Class with 5-Course Dinner: $50
  • Foraging Food Tour Sydney Native Aussie Food: $53
  • Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
  • Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $59
  • Tall Ship Harbour Twilight Dinner Cruise: $72
  • Sydney Harbour: Latin Fiesta Dinner Cruise: $73
  • Harbour Dinner Cruise with 3, 4 or 6-Course Menu: $83
  • Dinner Cruise with 3-Course Meal: $103
  • Food Tour in Surry Hills with 8 Local Delicacies: $114

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bagan $57
    Sydney $34

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
  • Old Bagan Biking Tour - Half Day (Guide included): $45
  • 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
  • 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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Sydney

Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Theatre Show
    $32
  • Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)
    $33
  • Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)
    $136
  • Powerhouse Museum
    $11

Tours and Activities in Sydney

Here are a few actual costs in Sydney for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Razor Gangs True Crime Tour: $17
  • Aboriginal Art Exhibition Ticket, Art Gallery of NSW: $17
  • Tickets & Tours at Art Gallery of New South Wales: $17
  • Allianz Stadium Guided Tour: $18
  • Sydney Harbour & Fish Market Sightseeing Cruise: $22
  • Sydney Harbour Sightseeing Cruise from Circular Quay: $22
  • Sydney Sightseeing Cruise from Darling Harbour: $22
  • True Crime Tour: $22
  • Opera House Guided Tour In Your Language: $23
  • Australian National Maritime Museum: See It All Ticket: $23
  • Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) and Museum Walking Tour: $23
  • SYDNEY : Ghosts, Grog & The Rocks: Haunted Pubs &Cellar Tour: $26

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bagan -
    Sydney $16

Typical Alcohol Prices in Sydney

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:


  • Wine
    $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sydney:

  • Big Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Party Hosts: $32
  • Private Wine Tasting at The Rocks: $46
  • From: Sydney - Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Guided Day Tour: $89
  • Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $112
  • From Full-Day Hunter Valley Wine Tour & Lunch: $145
  • From Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Day Tour: $145
  • From Hunter Valley Multi-Brewery Tour with Lunch: $149
  • Hunter Valley: Wine Tour with 3 Tastings and Garden Lunch: $155
  • From All Inclusive Boutique Hunter Valley Wine Tour: $155
  • Chef-Led Hunter Valley Food & Wine Tour: $183
  • From Hunter Valley Boutique Wine Tasting Tour: $185
  • Hunter Valley Wine Tour with Dumplings & Oysters: $185


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bagan and Sydney, we can see that Sydney is more expensive. And not only is Bagan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bagan is in Asia and Sydney is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney 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 Sydney Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bagan or Sydney?

Sydney has a larger population, and is about 14650 times larger than the population of Bagan. When comparing the sizes of Bagan and Sydney, 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.