Which place is cheaper, Ulaanbaatar or Cheju (Jeju)?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cheju (Jeju) or Ulaanbaatar?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Cheju (Jeju) and Ulaanbaatar. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Cheju (Jeju) or Ulaanbaatar?
Cheju (Jeju)
Cheju is an island located just off the southern coast of South Korea in the Korean Strait. It is known for its volcanic landscape full of craters and cave-like lava tubes, which many visitors venture to hike and explore. With the main industry invested in tourism, it is a popular vacation spot for Koreans and foreigners alike, and remains the top honeymoon destination for Korean newlyweds.
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 South Korea, The Best Luxury Tours to South Korea, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mongolia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Mongolia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCheju (Jeju) $72Ulaanbaatar $25
The average daily cost (per person) in Cheju (Jeju) is $72, 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 Cheju (Jeju) and Ulaanbaatar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCheju (Jeju) $46Ulaanbaatar $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCheju (Jeju) $92Ulaanbaatar $24
Compare Hotels in Cheju (Jeju) and Ulaanbaatar
Looking for a hotel in Cheju (Jeju) 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: Ulaanbaatar Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cheju (Jeju) $10Ulaanbaatar $2.91
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cheju (Jeju)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cheju (Jeju):
- Jeju Airport Transfer: $20
- Private Sightseeing Tour to Jeju Island with Transfer Included: $190
- Private Taxi Transfer from Jeju City Downtown to Jeju Airport: $50
- Private Transfer From Jeju Airport to in Seogwipo Jeju Island : $30
- Private Transfer From Seogwipo to Jeju Airport in jeju island: $25
- jeju island Private Taxi Hallasan Hiking Trail Transfer - One way: $57
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
- Mongolia Airport Transfer & Taxi Service -BEST!: $18
- New Ulaanbaatar International Airport Transfer Service: $45
- Private Departure Transfer: Ulaanbaatar Airport: $40
- Private Transfer Ulaanbaatar Airport ULN to Ulaanbaatar City : $28
- Private Transfer from Chinggis Khaan Airport to Ulaanbaatar: $37
- Private Transfer to Ulaanbaatar Airport ULN by Business Vehicle: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Cheju (Jeju) or Ulaanbaatar?
Prices for flights to both Ulaanbaatar and Cheju (Jeju) 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 dayCheju (Jeju) $17Ulaanbaatar $8.94
Typical Food Prices in Cheju (Jeju)
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cheju (Jeju):
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Burger$4.49
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Donkatsu (Charles Restaurant)$7.24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cheju (Jeju)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cheju (Jeju).
- Cooking Korean Cuisine and Dinner at Jeju Seaside Sunset Terrace: $108
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
- Farm to Table: Organic Farm Visit and Mongolian Cooking Class: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cheju (Jeju) $5.49Ulaanbaatar $4.42
Tours and Activities in Cheju (Jeju)
Here are a few actual costs in Cheju (Jeju) for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Visitors to Jeju Glass Museum and Experience: $25
- [Jeju] Hanbok Rental Experience/Korean Traditional Clothes Rental Shop: $30
- [Jeju] Woman Diver Haenyeo Traditional Clothes Rental Experience: $32
- Full-Day Private Jumbo taxi Tour - East of Jeju Island (UNESCO): $55
- Seogwipo(the southern city of Jeju) Art Museum Walking Tour: $55
- Seogwipo (The Southern City of Jeju) Jungmun Area Walking Tour: $55
- jeju Private Day Taxi tour - West of Jeju Island: $60
- Seogwipo(The southern city of Jeju)City Walking Tours with Sunset: $60
- Jeju island Southern Unesco Mt.halla ONE day Bus Tour: $63
- Private Tour Cheonjeyeon Falls & Osulloc Museum in Jeju Island : $65
- Jeju island Eastern UNESCO site Full Day Guided Tour: $66
- Jeju Eastern Must visit Unesco Bus Tour: $66
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
- Day Tour of Hustai National Park: $83
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCheju (Jeju) $7.12Ulaanbaatar $3.83
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cheju (Jeju) and Ulaanbaatar, we can see that Cheju (Jeju) 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 Cheju (Jeju) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cheju (Jeju) 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 Cheju (Jeju) Expensive? and Is Ulaanbaatar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cheju (Jeju) or Ulaanbaatar?
Ulaanbaatar has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Cheju (Jeju). When comparing the sizes of Cheju (Jeju) 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.