Which place is cheaper, Ulaanbaatar or Bali?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bali or Ulaanbaatar?
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 Bali and Ulaanbaatar can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Bali or Ulaanbaatar?
Bali
Known as the "Island of the Gods," it's not difficult to see why the Gods would want to set up shop in Bali. With a beautifully diverse landscape of hills, mountains, coastlines, beaches, vibrant rice fields and volcanic hillsides, you'll easily go into sensory overload.
Bali is home to 4 million people who all hold true to a deeply spiritual and unique culture. With champion surfing, world class resorts and challenging hiking trails, this Indonesian island accommodates travelers from every walk of life. It's often called, "paradise on earth, " and no one disagrees.
Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar is Mongolia's capital city. It has a population of slightly over two million people, or about sixty percent of the country's entire population. You are likely to arrive in Ulaanbaatar either by train, coming from China or Russia, or by plane. Many people use Ulaanbaatar as a stop off while doing the Transsiberian Railway. The city is a great place to organize a tour of the surrounding countryside. It's also good city to relax, so make sure you allow yourself a few days to recover from your tour, enjoy some of the great food options, and see some of the fascinating cultural sights around town.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, The Best Adventure Tours to Mongolia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Mongolia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBali $72Ulaanbaatar $25
The average daily cost (per person) in Bali is $72, while the average daily cost in Ulaanbaatar is $25. 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 Bali and Ulaanbaatar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBali $41Ulaanbaatar $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBali $82Ulaanbaatar $24
Compare Hotels in Bali and Ulaanbaatar
Looking for a hotel in Bali or Ulaanbaatar? 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: Bali Hotel Prices and Ulaanbaatar Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bali $8.96Ulaanbaatar $2.91
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bali
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bali:
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Motorbike Rental$3.08
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bali
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bali:
- BALI PARAGLIDING Fly, Swing and Soaring above the sea with private transfer: $103
- Bali DPS Airport Private Transfer from-to Nusa Dua: $23
- Bali DPS Airport Private Transfer from-to Uluwatu & South Kuta: $31
- Bali Massage with Transfer to International Bali Airport (DPS): $58
- Bali Parasailing Adventure with Including Hotel Transfer: $45
- Bali Parasailing Adventure,Banana Boat,Jet Ski and Donut Boat with Transfers: $59
- Bali Spa Treatment with Airport Transfers (Departure): $56
- Bali Tours 4U Airport and Seaport transfers. 24 hours a day.: $21
- Bali Water Sport : Sea Walker,Donut Boat and Banana Boat with Hotel Transfers: $64
- Bali and Nusa Penida: Fast Boat Transfers: $29
- Bali and Trawangan: Fastboat with Optional Bali Transfer: $47
- Bali to/from Gili Air: Fast Boat with Optional Bali Transfer: $47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ulaanbaatar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ulaanbaatar:
- 2024 Ulaanbaatar Airport Transfer & Taxi Shuttle Service - Best!: $20
- Private Transfer from Chinggis Khaan Airport to Ulaanbaatar: $20
- ULAANBAATAR, MONGOLIA: Airport Transfer: $25
- Private Transfer to Ulaanbaatar Airport ULN by Business Vehicle: $28
- Private Transfer Ulaanbaatar Airport ULN to Ulaanbaatar City : $28
- Private Transfer from Chinggis Khaan Airport to Ulaanbaatar: $37
- Airport - Ulaanbaatar transfer service: $40
- Private Arrival Transfer: Ulaanbaatar Airport: $43
- Airport transfer service: $50
- Private Transfer between New Ulaanbaatar International Airport and Ulaanbaatar : $60
- Private Transfer from Ulaanbaatar Airport: $75
- BEST 5* Airport Transfer Taxi Shuttle Pick Up: $1,728
Is it cheaper to fly into Bali or Ulaanbaatar?
Prices for flights to both Ulaanbaatar and Bali 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 dayBali $20Ulaanbaatar $8.94
Typical Food Prices in Bali
Some typical examples of dining costs in Bali are as follows:
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Coffee$1.23
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Lunch for Two$14
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Bali Cafe for Two$27
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Lunch for Two$8.00
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Lunch for 2$8.86
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Dinner for 2$9.72
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bali
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bali.
- Romantic Seafood Dinner under sunset jimbaran Beach: $30
- Private Tour Uluwatu Sunset Kecak Dance and Dinner at Jimbaran: $31
- Ubud: Balinese Cooking Class at an Organic Farm: $32
- Pirate Dinner Cruise with Shows, Games, and Music: $33
- From Ubud: Authentic Cooking Class in a Local Village: $35
- Ubud Food Tour : Explore Traditional Night Market: $35
- Romantic Seafood Dinner at Jimbaran: $38
- Spice Garden, Jamu & Cooking Class in Bali Village: $45
- Seminyak: Balinese Cooking Class & Market Tour: $45
- Bali Famous Beach, Kecak Dance, Uluwatu Temple, Sunset, Dinner: $45
- Bali Street Food Tour: $45
- Bali's Best Sunset: Uluwatu Kecak Dance & Dinner Jimbaran Beach: $50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ulaanbaatar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ulaanbaatar.
- Cooking Class in a Traditional Ger Home in Ulaanbaatar Suburbs: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bali $11Ulaanbaatar $4.42
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bali
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bali are as follows:
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Spa for Two$54
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Snorkelling Trip$12
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Cooking School$28
Tours and Activities in Bali
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bali are as follows:
- Bali Water Sports Adventure: $7.89
- Bali Tanjung Benoa Water Sport Adventure: $8.34
- Bali Bird Park 1-Day Admission Ticket: $8.98
- Best of Ubud Full Day Private Guided Tour: $11
- Private Tour to New Indonesia Urban Destination: $13
- Kecak and Fire Dance Ticket at Uluwatu Temple: $14
- Uluwatu Temple Tour with Optional Kecak Dance Ticket: $15
- Uluwatu Temple Kecak Fire Dance Private Guided Tour: $17
- Watersport activity Ocean walker, Parasailing Adventure & Banana Boat: $18
- Tanah Lot Temple Guided Tour: $18
- All-Inclusive White Water Rafting Adventure in Ubud: $19
- Bali Nusa Dua Theatre: Devdan Show Tickets: $19
Tours and Activities in Ulaanbaatar
Here are a few actual costs in Ulaanbaatar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Arvaitour Guesthouse in Mongolia: $20
- Ger Area Heritage Tour: $35
- Ger Area Walking Tour: $35
- Genghis Statue & Gorkhi-Terelj National Park Tour : $45
- Private custom tour with a local guide: $48
- Ulaanbatar : Private Custom Tour With A Local Guide : $49
- Walking Tour and Ger Visit: $55
- GENGHIS KHAN STATUE COMPLEX: Private Half Day Tour: $59
- Traditional Music and Dance Performance Ticket: $69
- 1 Day City Tour with All-Museum Private Tour With Free Admission: $70
- Day Coach Tour of Aglag Buteel Monastery and Meditation Center Including Lunch : $72
- Genghis Khan Statue One Day Tour +Bonus Terelj National Park And Aryabal Temple: $79
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBali $3.17Ulaanbaatar $3.83
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bali and Ulaanbaatar, we can see that Bali is more expensive. And not only is Ulaanbaatar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ulaanbaatar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ulaanbaatar 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 Bali would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bali than you might in Ulaanbaatar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bali Expensive? and Is Ulaanbaatar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bali or Ulaanbaatar?
Ulaanbaatar has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Bali. When comparing the sizes of Bali and Ulaanbaatar, 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.