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

Should you visit Bangkok or Ulaanbaatar?

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 Ulaanbaatar 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 Ulaanbaatar?

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.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mongolia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Mongolia.


Which place is cheaper, Ulaanbaatar or Bangkok?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Bangkok is $77, while the average daily cost in Ulaanbaatar is $26. 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 Ulaanbaatar in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bangkok $42
    Ulaanbaatar $12
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bangkok $84
    Ulaanbaatar $24
Compare Hotels in Bangkok and Ulaanbaatar

Looking for a hotel in Bangkok 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.

Hotels in Bangkok


Hotels in Ulaanbaatar


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 Ulaanbaatar Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bangkok $5.83
    Ulaanbaatar $2.97
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bangkok

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


  • Tuk Tuk to bus station
    $2.21
  • Skytrain Ticket
    $4.41
  • Chao Phraya River Express Ticket
    $0.88
  • Ferry Ride
    $0.72
  • Taxi From Airport
    $6.89
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $2.48
  • Boat Taxi
    $1.38
  • Trains to airport
    $4.41

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:

  • 3 Temple Bangkok City Tour without Admission Ticket & Transfer: $47
  • Affordable Bangkok Airport Transfer: $22
  • Airport BKK||DMK : Private car Transfer to downtowns Bangkok: $28
  • Ancient City (Mueang Boran) Entrance Tickets With Hotel Transfer: $44
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Bangkok Airport BKK to Bangkok in Business Car: $72
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Bangkok Airport BKK to Bangkok in Luxury Van: $96
  • Arrival Private Transfers: Don Mueang Airport DMK to Bangkok in Business Car: $61
  • Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) Airport Transfer - Central Bangkok Hotel: $44
  • Bangkok Airport (DMK) to Bangkok - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $71
  • Bangkok Airport Arrival Transfer with Free SIM CARD: $31
  • Bangkok Airport Departure – Private Transfer from Hotel to Airport: $26
  • Bangkok Airport Transfer or Bangkok Hotel to Pattaya Private : $55

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ulaanbaatar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ulaanbaatar:

  • 2024 Ulaanbaatar Airport Transfer & Taxi Shuttle Service - Best!: $18
  • Airport transfer service: $50
  • Private Transfer from Chinggis Khaan Airport to Ulaanbaatar: $31
  • Private Transfer from Ulaanbaatar to or from Terelj National Park: $60

Is it cheaper to fly into Bangkok or Ulaanbaatar?

Prices for flights to both Ulaanbaatar 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
    Ulaanbaatar $9.12
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)
    $5.51
  • 2 Rotis (Bread)
    $1.24
  • Mango & Sticky Rice
    $0.83
  • Lunch at KFC (for Two)
    $5.51
  • Pad Thai
    $1.93
  • 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: $21
  • Baiyoke Observation Deck with Lunch/Dinner Buffet: $22
  • River Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess: $24
  • Meridian Sunset Dinner Cruise - Floating Paradise From ICONSIAM Bangkok: $24
  • Twilight Dinner Cruise Along Chao Phraya River in Bangkok: $25
  • Alangka Luxury Buffet Dinner Cruise With Live Music: $27
  • Viva Alangka Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise: $27
  • Chao Phraya Buffet Dinner Viva Alangka Cruise: $27
  • Riverside Dinner Buffet Cruise On Chao Phraya: $28
  • Baiyoke Sky Hotel Observation Deck Ticket with Lunch or Dinner : $28
  • Baiyoke Sky Hotel Observation Deck Ticket With Dinner or Lunch: $28

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bangkok $16
    Ulaanbaatar $4.51
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
    $4.41
  • Grand Palace Entrance Ticket
    $9.65
  • Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket
    $1.38
  • Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)
    $5.51
  • Club Cover Charge
    $10
  • Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)
    $66
  • Fish Pedicure
    $4.14
  • Wat Pho entrance ticket
    $2.76
  • Siriraj Museum (2)
    $11

Tours and Activities in Bangkok

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

  • Thailand's Road to Democracy: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $1.99
  • Skip the Line Admission Ticket: Ayutthaya Floating Market: $5.46
  • Chinatown and Wat Traimit Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.00
  • Skip the Line Admission Ticket of Ayothaya Floating Market: $8.52
  • Wat Pho Reclining Buddha Self-Guided Audio Tour (entry not incl.): $9.00
  • Pororo Aqua Park Entry Ticket: $9.68
  • Skip the Line: Patpong Museum Guided Tour : $9.94
  • Wat Arun Self-Guided Audio Tour: $10
  • Grand Palace Self-Guided Walking Tour: $10
  • Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) Self-Guided Audio Tour: $10
  • Three Head Giant Elephant & Erawan Museum in Bangkok Admission Ticket: $10
  • Self- Guided Audio Tour: $11

Tours and Activities in Ulaanbaatar

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

  • Terelj National Park: Tour with horse riding and hiking: $4.00
  • Private custom tour with a local guide: $48
  • Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex and Sain Nomun Monastery Tour : $50
  • Traditional Music and Dance Performance Ticket: $69
  • Day Coach Tour of Aglag Buteel Monastery and Meditation Center Including Lunch : $72
  • Genghis Khan Statue Tour + Bonus Gorkhi-Terelj National Park One Day tour: $79
  • Genghis Khan Statue One Day Tour +Bonus Terelj National Park And Aryabal Temple: $79
  • Ancient Fine Arts with Honored Masters - UB City Experience: $82
  • 1 Day Coach Tour of Genghis Khan Statue Complex and Terelj National Park Including Lunch: $83
  • Day Tour to Terelj Park Chinggs khaan statue, Zaisan Hill: $86
  • Night city tour all included: $90
  • City tour all included: $90

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bangkok $6.03
    Ulaanbaatar $3.91
Typical Alcohol Prices in Bangkok

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


  • Beer
    $1.10

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 Ulaanbaatar, we can see that Bangkok 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 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 Ulaanbaatar.

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


Which is Bigger, Bangkok or Ulaanbaatar?

Bangkok has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Ulaanbaatar. When comparing the sizes of Bangkok 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.