Which place is cheaper, Ulaanbaatar or Belgrade?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Belgrade 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 Belgrade 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: Belgrade or Ulaanbaatar?
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital city of the Republic of Serbia. Dating back to the 4th Century BC, is has seen many changes from Celtic tribes at its earliest beginnings to Roman rule, the Ottoman Empire, and Serbian independence. Relics of its past can be seen today in Belgrade's architecture and museums, while there are also a host of contemporary activities like nightlife, clubs, cafes, and concerts.
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 Budget Tours to Serbia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Belgrade, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mongolia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Mongolia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBelgrade $45Ulaanbaatar $25
The average daily cost (per person) in Belgrade is $45, 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 Belgrade and Ulaanbaatar in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBelgrade $30Ulaanbaatar $12
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBelgrade $60Ulaanbaatar $24
Compare Hotels in Belgrade and Ulaanbaatar
Looking for a hotel in Belgrade 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: Belgrade Hotel Prices and Ulaanbaatar Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Belgrade $5.60Ulaanbaatar $2.91
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Belgrade
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Belgrade:
- Airport Transfer in Belgrade, Serbia: $39
- Belgrade Layover tour with E Scooter and airport transfers: $215
- Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG): Transfer to Belgrade: $145
- Belgrade Panorama - Private Arrival Transfer and City Tour Combined: $240
- Belgrade airport transfer: $46
- Belgrade and Avala Mountain Full Day Layover Tour with Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $88
- Belgrade to Zlatibor private transfer by car: $252
- Bus Transfer Between Airport and Slavija Square: $3.67
- Nikola Tesla Airport Private Transfer: $53
- Nikola Tesla BEG airport-private airport transfer: $75
- Private Airport Transfer: $85
- Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel: $107
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ulaanbaatar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ulaanbaatar:
- Mongolia Airport Transfer & Taxi Service -BEST!: $18
- 2024 Ulaanbaatar Airport Transfer & Taxi Shuttle Service - Best!: $18
- 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 Departure Transfer: Ulaanbaatar Airport: $40
- New Ulaanbaatar International Airport Transfer Service: $45
- Airport transfer service: $50
- Private Transfer from Ulaanbaatar to or from Terelj National Park: $60
Is it cheaper to fly into Belgrade or Ulaanbaatar?
Prices for flights to both Ulaanbaatar and Belgrade 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 dayBelgrade $9.30Ulaanbaatar $8.94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Belgrade
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Belgrade.
- E-Scooter Serbian Food Tour: $66
- Folklore night in Belgrade with dinner: $70
- Private Walking and Food Tour in Belgrade: $71
- E-Scooter Serbian Food Tour: $75
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.Belgrade $4.52Ulaanbaatar $4.42
Tours and Activities in Belgrade
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Belgrade are as follows:
- Skip the Line: Family Centar Sremska Mitrovica -Playroom for kids: $1.10
- Capture Belgrade:Audio Walking Tour in the Heart of the City: $3.19
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Jack The Ripper Skip-the-Line Ticket in Belgrade: $3.29
- Belgrade City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.46
- Self-Guided City Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.46
- Sightseeing by open top bus: $14
- Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $14
- Saint Sava Temple guided tour: $16
- Walking Tour in Belgrade: $16
- Underground Tour with Glass of Wine: $16
- Yugoslavia Communist tour: $16
Tours and Activities in Ulaanbaatar
Here are a few actual costs in Ulaanbaatar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private custom tour with a local guide: $47
- Ulaanbatar : Private Custom Tour With A Local Guide : $48
- Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex and Sain Nomun Monastery Tour : $50
- Genghis Khan Statue Tour: 3-Hour Ticket Included: $65
- Genghis Khan Statue Tour: 3-Hour Ticket Included: $65
- Traditional Music and Dance Performance Ticket: $69
- 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 Terelj National Park Including Lunch And Free Camel Ride: $83
- 1 Day Coach Tour of Genghis Khan Statue Complex and Terelj National Park Including Lunch: $83
- Day Tour of Hustai National Park: $83
- Full Day Private Tour in Terelj National Park with Horse Riding: $85
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBelgrade $21Ulaanbaatar $3.83
Sample the Local Flavors in Belgrade
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Belgrade:
- RE:PLAY Pub Crawl Belgrade: $44
- Play Pub Crawl Belgrade: $49
- RePlay Pub Crawl in Belgrade: $53
- E-Scooter CRAFT BEER and BREWERY Tour: $54
- Natural wine tasting with great views: $55
- Tour of the MONASTERIES at Fruška Gora NP and Sremski Karlovci with wine tasting: $55
- Belgrade Bar Crawl: $55
- Pearl of North Serbia, trip to Novi Sad and Sremski Karlovci with wine tasting: $60
- Private Wine Tasting by Party in Belgrade: $71
- Novi Sad and Sremski Karlovci private tour with wine tasting: $76
- 3-Hour Walking Local Wine Tasting Tour: $81
- Northern Serbia: Sremski Karlovci & Novi Sad with Wine Tasting in a cellar : $82
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Belgrade and Ulaanbaatar, we can see that Belgrade is more expensive. And not only is Ulaanbaatar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Belgrade is in Europe and Ulaanbaatar is in Asia, 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 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 Belgrade would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Belgrade 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 Belgrade Expensive? and Is Ulaanbaatar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Belgrade or Ulaanbaatar?
Belgrade has a larger population, and is about 51% larger than the population of Ulaanbaatar. When comparing the sizes of Belgrade 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.