Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Bangkok?
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 Bangkok or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bangkok and Cartagena can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Bangkok or Cartagena?
Bangkok
Bangkok: a name synonymous with all things exotic. The vibrant and exciting capital of Thailand is not just a hub for Southeast Asia, but also a destination into itself. Known for an active nightlife and party scene, as well as great food, historic temples, and busy markets, Bangkok offers a diversity to entertain even the most experienced travelers.
Cartagena
The capital of the Bolivar Department of Colombia, Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in the country. It sits on Colombia's northern coast by the Caribbean Sea. It's a port city with a population of almost 900,000, making it the fifth largest city in Colombia. The city has a rich history and was the first Spanish colony on the American continent. It was also one of the first sanctuaries for freed African slaves in the Americas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Bangkok Prices
Thailand PricesCartagena Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBangkok $100Cartagena $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Bangkok is $100, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $50. 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 Bangkok and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBangkok $48Cartagena $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBangkok $96Cartagena $50
Compare Hotels in Bangkok and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Bangkok or Cartagena? 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: Bangkok Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bangkok $6.16Cartagena $6.91
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bangkok are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk to bus station$2.39
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Skytrain Ticket$4.77
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Chao Phraya River Express Ticket$0.95
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Ferry Ride$0.78
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Taxi From Airport$7.46
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Short Taxi Ride$2.69
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Boat Taxi$1.49
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Trains to airport$4.77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:
- BKK Airport to Pattaya hotel 100% Electric Private Transfer: $90
- Bangkok to Samed Pier Private Transfer: $129
- Affordable Bangkok Airport Transfer: $22
- Airport Private Transfers from Suvarnabhumi BKK to Bangkok City: $12
- Airport Transfer Camry/Fortuner or Similar : $45
- Airport Transfer Luxury Sedan Mercedes E Class BMW 5 Series: $98
- Airport Transfer to or from Hotel in Bangkok (Private Transport): $56
- Airport Transfer: DMK Airport or BKK Hotel to Pattaya Private : $67
- Airport Transfer: Don Mueang/Suvarnabhumi ⇄ Bangkok City: $71
- Airport Transfer: Suvarnabhumi or BKK Hotel to Pattaya Private : $62
- Ancient City (Mueang Boran) Entrance Tickets With Hotel Transfer: $47
- Arrival Bangkok Airport Private Transfer : Trat/ Koh Chang: $131
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- 18.Transfer (Rafael N-Hotel Decameron Baru Airport) or vice versa: $156
- 20. Transfer Rafael N. Airport-HOTEL LAS ISLAS-CALABLANCA: $167
- 6.Transfer (Airport-Manzanillo KARIBANA-ESTELAR) Or Vice Versa: $56
- 8. Transfer to BARRANQUILLA from Cartagena Private or vice versa: $207
- Airport Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $7.00
- Airport Private Transfer to Hotel in the urban City : $12
- Airport Transfer - Hotel Cartagena: $24
- Airport Transfers Cartagena: $35
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minibus: $91
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minivan: $63
- Arrival Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena by Sedan: $66
- Baru: Rafael Nunez International Airport Private Transfer: $85
Is it cheaper to fly into Bangkok or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Bangkok 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 dayBangkok $35Cartagena $16
Typical Food Prices in Bangkok
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Bangkok:
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Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe (for Two)$27
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Casual Lunch of Prawns (for Two)$5.97
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2 Rotis (Bread)$1.34
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Mango & Sticky Rice$0.90
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Lunch at KFC (for Two)$5.97
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Pad Thai$2.09
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Airport Lunch for 2$16
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Lunch for 2$22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bangkok.
- White Orchid Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise: $21
- Baiyoke Observation Deck with Lunch/Dinner Buffet: $24
- CHAR Rooftop Bar Dinner and Drinks: $24
- Michelin Guide Street Food Tour by Tuk Tuk: $24
- Chao Phraya Princess Dinner Cruise Ticket: $26
- River Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess: $26
- Meridian Sunset Dinner Cruise - Floating Paradise From ICONSIAM Bangkok: $26
- Unicorn Chao Phraya River Dinner Cruise: $27
- Smile Riverside Dinner Cruise: $27
- Calypso Cabaret Show with Thai Set Dinner: $27
- Chao Phraya River Cruise with Indian Buffet Dinner: $29
- Baiyoke Sky Hotel Observation Deck Ticket with Lunch or Dinner : $29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Street food tour Cartagena: $30
- Cooking Class In A Real Restaurant At Old City: $38
- Food Tour, History & Coffee Experience: $40
- Street food tour Cartagena: $40
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $42
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $43
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $44
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $56
- Fenix Beach Island Dinner: $60
- Dinner Cruise Along Cartagena's Bay: $60
- White night boat tour with dinner and open bar: $61
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bangkok $17Cartagena $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bangkok
Here are a few typical costs in Bangkok for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Movie Ticket$4.77
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Grand Palace Entrance Ticket$10
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Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket$1.49
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Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)$5.97
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Club Cover Charge$11
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Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)$72
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Fish Pedicure$4.48
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Wat Pho entrance ticket$2.98
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Siriraj Museum (2)$12
Tours and Activities in Bangkok
Here are a few actual costs in Bangkok for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Road to Democracy: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Thailand's Modern Politics: $5.00
- Bangkok Chinatown Eats: A Self-guided Audio Tour: $5.13
- Mad Monkey Bangkok City Session - Walking Tour: $5.44
- Bangkok City Session Walking Tour: $5.61
- Chinatown by Night Walking Tour in Bangkok: $6.42
- Bangkok's Wireless Road: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Pororo Aqua Park Entry Ticket: $8.82
- Bangkok Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Ancient City Bangkok and Erawan Museum Tickets: $9.97
- Wat Arun Self-Guided Walking Tour (entry not incl.): $10
- Skip the Line: Patpong Museum Guided Tour : $11
- Traditional Longtail Boat Tour in Bangkok Canals: $12
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Trendy Cartagena photo/ Video Tour Free: $0.02
- Into the Walls of The City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- CITY TOUR OVERVIEW of the city Boots castle chiva: $8.77
- Shared Getsemani Art District Tour with Wireless Live System: $8.77
- Tour Compartido al Castillo San Felipe de Barajas Cartagena: $8.77
- Shared Old Cartagena & Getsemani Tour with Wireless System: $8.77
- Tour Compartido de Gabriel García Marquez en Cartagena: $8.77
- Shared Cartagena Old City Tour with Wireless Audio System: $8.77
- Shared Walking Tour of the Colonial Old Town: $9.74
- Emerald Museum and Factory Tour: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Getsemaní Neighborhood: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Ghost of Downtown: Fear in the streets. : $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBangkok $5.37Cartagena $8.49
Typical Alcohol Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bangkok are as follows:
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Beer$1.19
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangkok
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bangkok:
- Bangkok Pub Crawl and Clubbing Experience: $14
- Mad Monkey Bangkok Pub Crawl: $18
- Bangkok Pub Crawl: $19
- Pub Crawl: $22
- Bangkok Bar Crawl by Tuk Tuk: $69
- Bangkok Pub Crawl - Private Experience: $115
Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $18
- Thursday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $20
- Getsemaní Pub Crawl with Shots and Dance Class: $22
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $23
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $25
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $25
- Pub Crawl Nightlife in Cartagena : $60
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $61
- Pub Crawl: $70
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bangkok and Cartagena, we can see that Bangkok is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bangkok is in Asia and Cartagena is in South America, 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 Cartagena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cartagena 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 Bangkok would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bangkok than you might in Cartagena.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bangkok Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bangkok or Cartagena?
Bangkok has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Cartagena. When comparing the sizes of Bangkok and Cartagena, 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.
When is the best time to visit Bangkok or Cartagena?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Bangkok or Cartagena in the Summer?
Both Cartagena and Bangkok are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bangkok throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Bangkok. In July, Bangkok usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Bangkok gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. Bangkok usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during summer. Bangkok gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Bangkok is around the same temperature as Cartagena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bangkok in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Cartagena averages at about 29°C (84°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBangkok 29°C (84°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Bangkok or Cartagena in the Autumn?
Both Cartagena and Bangkok during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bangkok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
November to February is the dry season in Bangkok. May to October is the rainy season in Bangkok. Cartagena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Bangkok. Bangkok usually gets more rain in October than Cartagena. Bangkok gets 242 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Bangkok. In the autumn, Bangkok often gets more sunshine than Cartagena. Bangkok gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun.
In October, Bangkok is generally around the same temperature as Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Bangkok average around 28°C (83°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBangkok 28°C (83°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Bangkok or Cartagena in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bangkok and Cartagena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bangkok year-round. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
November to February in Bangkok is the dry season. In January, Bangkok usually receives less rain than Cartagena. Bangkok gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. In Bangkok, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bangkok usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cartagena during winter. Bangkok gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun in the winter.
Bangkok is around the same temperature as Cartagena in the winter. The daily temperature in Bangkok averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBangkok 27°C (80°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Bangkok or Cartagena in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Bangkok as well as Cartagena. Bangkok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
May to October in Bangkok is the rainy season. Bangkok usually gets more rain in April than Cartagena. Bangkok gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bangkok this time of the year. In the spring, Bangkok often gets more sunshine than Cartagena. Bangkok gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Bangkok is around the same temperature as Cartagena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bangkok in April average around 31°C (87°F), and Cartagena averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBangkok 31°C (87°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Bangkok
| Bangkok | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (87°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 242 mm (9.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
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.