A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bangkok vs. Datong for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bangkok or Datong?

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 Datong 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 Datong?

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.

Datong

If you're looking for an old world city, with a renovated feel, you might want to spend some time in Datong, China. This city was once walled-in and the newest initiative is to rebuild their great wall to maintain their old world charm. Datong is definitely done a lot to make itself a contender in the world of vacation destinations.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Cultural Tours in China, and The Best Luxury Tours to China.


Which place is cheaper, Datong or Bangkok?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bangkok is $76, while the average daily cost in Datong is $56. 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 Datong in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bangkok $41
    Datong $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bangkok $82
    Datong $46
Compare Hotels in Bangkok and Datong

Looking for a hotel in Bangkok or Datong? 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 Bangkok


Hotels in Datong


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bangkok $5.77
    Datong $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bangkok

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bangkok are as follows:


  • Tuk Tuk to bus station
    $2.18
  • Skytrain Ticket
    $4.36
  • Chao Phraya River Express Ticket
    $0.87
  • Ferry Ride
    $0.71
  • Taxi From Airport
    $6.82
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $2.45
  • Boat Taxi
    $1.36
  • Trains to airport
    $4.36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:

  • Don Mueang Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Koh Chang: $297
  • Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK): Transfer to Pattaya: $288
  • Bangkok Don Mueang Airport (DMK): Transfer to Pattaya hotels: $288
  • Private Transfer from Bangkok to Chiang Mai with 2h of Sightseeing: $261
  • Don Mueang Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Koh Chang: $241
  • From Damnoen and Maeklong Markets Private Transfer: $219
  • Private Transfer from Don Mueang (DMK) Airport to Aranyaprathet: $218
  • Private Transfer from Don Mueang (DMK) Airport to Trat: $216
  • Bangkok Hotel Transfer: to/from Koh Chang Hotel Transfer: $214
  • Private Transfer from Ayutthaya to Hua Hin: $213
  • Private Transfer from Bangkok to Koh Chang: $209
  • From Pattaya Private Day Trip with Transfer: $200

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Datong

Also for Datong, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Chengdu: Private Round-Trip Transfer to Leshan Budda: $128
  • Datong Hanging Temple Private Transfer from Hotel or Station: $69
  • Datong Yungang Airport Chauffeur Service , to Datong Transfer: $12
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer to Hanging Temple: $98
  • Dunhuang Private Round Trip Transfer to Jiayuguan and Xuanbi Great Wall : $100
  • Private One Way Transfer from Datong to Beijing : $211
  • Private Transfer Service from Yungang Airport to Datong Hotel: $29
  • Transfer from Datong Railway Stations to Hotels in City Center: $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Bangkok or Datong?

Prices for flights to both Datong 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Bangkok $18
    Datong $20
Typical Food Prices in Bangkok

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


  • Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe (for Two)
    $25
  • Casual Lunch of Prawns (for Two)
    $5.46
  • 2 Rotis (Bread)
    $1.23
  • Mango & Sticky Rice
    $0.82
  • Lunch at KFC (for Two)
    $5.46
  • Pad Thai
    $1.91
  • Airport Lunch for 2
    $15
  • Lunch for 2
    $20

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: $19
  • Chao Phraya Princess Dinner Cruise Ticket: $20
  • Baiyoke Observation Deck with Lunch/Dinner Buffet: $21
  • River Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess: $23
  • Calypso Cabaret Show with Thai Set Dinner: $24
  • Chao Phraya Buffet Dinner Viva Alangka Cruise: $27
  • Alangka Luxury Buffet Dinner Cruise With Live Music: $27
  • Viva Alangka Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise: $27
  • Riverside Dinner Buffet Cruise On Chao Phraya: $27
  • Nopparat Thai Dinner with Classical Dance: $28
  • Chao Phraya River Serenade: VIVA Alangka Dinner Cruise, Bangkok: $28
  • Bangkok Riverside Dinner Buffet Cruised Tour On Chao Phraya: $28

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bangkok $16
    Datong $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bangkok

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


  • Movie Ticket
    $4.36
  • Grand Palace Entrance Ticket
    $9.55
  • Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket
    $1.36
  • Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)
    $5.46
  • Club Cover Charge
    $10
  • Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)
    $65
  • Fish Pedicure
    $4.09
  • Wat Pho entrance ticket
    $2.73
  • Siriraj Museum (2)
    $11

Tours and Activities in Bangkok

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

  • A Day in Ayutthaya: Private 5 UNESCO Temples Tour From Bangkok: $108
  • Ayutthaya Historic Park Group Tour from Bangkok: $65
  • Bangkok 5 Hour Cultural & Temples Tour Private: $82
  • Bangkok Hindu Landmark City, Grand Palace & Temples Tours with Lunch: $284
  • Bangkok Sea Life + Madame Tussauds Entrance Tickets : $46
  • Bangkok Thrilling Tuk Tuk Tour (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
  • Siam Park City Admission Ticket With All Rides In Bangkok: $17
  • Sunset Sail, Glittering Temspls at Afternoon Ayutthaya Tours : $59
  • 'Sunset Cruise' Canal Boat Tour - Fully guided 3hrs: $74
  • "Bangkok Walking Hopping Tour" show city’s historic sights are located.: $67
  • 1 Hour Axe Throwing Experience : $17
  • 2 Hours Bangkok Canal Tour By Longtail Boat : $58

Tours and Activities in Datong

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Datong.

  • Yungang Grottoes Entrance Ticket with Optional Guided Service: $22
  • Datong Private Self-guided Tour with Chartered Car: $26
  • YungangGrottoe HangingTemple Private Self-guided Tour by Car: $79
  • Datong Hanging Temple Wooden Pagoda Self-guided Tour by Car: $95
  • 4-8 hours Private Datong Great Wall Tour: $99
  • Private Datong Day Tour Arranged by Local Tour Guide Nancy: $129
  • Datong Classic Day Tour: $135
  • Temples and Grottoes Private Full–Day Tour: $149
  • Private city tour Datong Yungang grottoes and Huayan Monastery: $160
  • Private Tour: Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Monastery From Datong: $164
  • Private Custom Tour: Datong City in One Day: $180
  • All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Hanging Temple at Hengshan from Datong : $188

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bangkok $5.97
    Datong $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Bangkok

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bangkok are as follows:


  • Beer
    $1.09

Sample the Local Flavors in Bangkok

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bangkok:

  • Pub Crawl and Club Night With Shots & VIP Entrance: $22


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bangkok and Datong, we can see that Bangkok is more expensive. And not only is Datong much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Datong would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Datong 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 Datong.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bangkok Expensive? and Is Datong Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bangkok or Datong?

Bangkok has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Datong. When comparing the sizes of Bangkok and Datong, 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.