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 Cultural Tours in Serbia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Belgrade, The Best Adventure Tours to Mongolia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Mongolia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBelgrade $47Ulaanbaatar $25
The average daily cost (per person) in Belgrade is $47, 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 $32Ulaanbaatar $12
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBelgrade $64Ulaanbaatar $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 $5.81Ulaanbaatar $2.95
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Belgrade
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Belgrade:
- Airport Transfer: $55
- Airport Transfer in Belgrade, Serbia: $40
- Airport transfer between Belgrade Nikola Tesla and Novi Sad: $97
- BELGRADE TRANSIT TOUR - private layover tour with return airport transfer: $133
- Belgrade Airport to City Center Transfers: $39
- Belgrade Layover tour with E Scooter and airport transfers: $219
- Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG): Transfer to Belgrade: $148
- Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport(BEG) to Belgrade - Arrival Transfer: $36
- Belgrade airport transfer: $47
- Belgrade to Belgrade N. Tesla Airport (BEG) - Departure Transfer: $36
- Belgrade transfer from and to airport (by car): $94
- Bus Transfer Between Airport and Slavija Square: $4.82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ulaanbaatar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ulaanbaatar:
- BEST 5* Airport Transfer Taxi Shuttle Pick Up: $18
- BEST 5* Chinggis Khaan Airport UBN to Ulaanbaatar Transfer Taxi: $18
- Private Transfer to Ulaanbaatar Airport ULN by Business Vehicle: $28
- Private Transfer Ulaanbaatar Airport ULN to Ulaanbaatar City : $28
- Private Airport Transfer taxi in Ulaanbaatar: $30
- Private Transfer from Chinggis Khaan Airport to Ulaanbaatar: $35
- Private Transfer from Chinggis Khaan Airport to Ulaanbaatar: $37
- Airport - Ulaanbaatar transfer service: $40
- Private Departure Transfer: Ulaanbaatar Airport: $42
- New Ulaanbaatar International Airport Transfer Service: $45
- Airport transfer service: $50
- Transfer service to Terelj national park : $51
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 $9.64Ulaanbaatar $9.06
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Belgrade
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Belgrade.
- Serbian Evening-Entertainment Program and Traditional Dinner: $61
- E-Scooter Serbian Food Tour: $67
- E-Scooter Serbian Food Tour: $77
- Private Walking and Food Tour in Belgrade: $77
- Private Serbian Food Cooking Experience in Belgrade with Meal: $78
- The 10 Tastings of Belgrade Private Food Tour : $138
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 $4.68Ulaanbaatar $4.48
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: $1.11
- Jack The Ripper Skip-the-Line Ticket in Belgrade: $3.34
- Belgrade Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $6.69
- Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $14
- Downtown Belgrade Walking Tour with Smartphone App: $14
- Sightseeing by Open-top Bus: $14
- Yugoslavia Communist tour: $16
- Walking Tour in Belgrade: $16
- Underground Tour with Glass of Wine: $16
- Guided Sightseeing Cruise, Danube and Sava rivers: $23
- Self-guided kayak tour in Belgrade : $25
- Belgrade walking tour 11:00 or 17:30: $27
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: $48
- Ulaanbaatar Private Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private): $49
- Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex and Sain Nomun Monastery Tour : $50
- Nightlife Bar Hopping Adventure in Ulaanbaatar: $60
- Day Tour to Terelj Park Chinggs khaan statue, Zaisan Hill: $69
- 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 Genghis Khan Statue Complex and Terelj National Park Including Lunch: $83
- GENGHIS KHAN STATUE COMPLEX: Half Day Private Tour: $89
- Day tour Terelj National Park Via Chinggis Khaan Statue: $90
- Private Jeep City tour with English Speaking Driver : $90
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBelgrade $22Ulaanbaatar $3.88
Sample the Local Flavors in Belgrade
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Belgrade:
- Belgrade Chuggalong - A unique Pub Crawl experience!: $16
- Columbo Pub Crawl Belgrade: $45
- RePlay Pub Crawl in Belgrade: $54
- E-Scooter CRAFT BEER and BREWERY Tour: $55
- Natural wine tasting with great views: $56
- Urban Rakija Distillery Tour in Belgrade: $56
- Belgrade Reserved Pub Crawl: $61
- Private Wine Tasting by Party in Belgrade: $72
- Novi Sad and Sremski Karlovci private tour with wine tasting: $77
- 3-Hour Walking Local Wine Tasting Tour: $82
- Northern Serbia: Sremski Karlovci & Novi Sad with Wine Tasting in a cellar : $84
- Novi Sad and Fruska Gora with Wine Tasting in Sremski Karlovci: $106
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.