A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chumphon vs. Bagan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Chumphon or Bagan?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Chumphon or Bagan? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Chumphon or Bagan?

Chumphon

Sometimes tourism has a tendency to spoil the natural beauty of a place. This is not the case in the magical city of Chumphon, Thailand. As the gateway to the Chumphon Archipelago, this city has maintained natural, untouched beauty. Its miles of coastline are full of fine beaches with fishing, swimming and a number of other activities.

Bagan

Located in central Myanmar (formerly Burma), Bagan is an ancient city best known as the home to the largest and densest concentration of Buddhist temples, pagodas, stupas, and ruins in the world with many dating from the 11th and 12th centuries.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in Thailand, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Bagan or Chumphon?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Chumphon is $39, while the average daily cost in Bagan is $19. 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 Chumphon and Bagan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Chumphon $17
    Bagan $4.76
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Chumphon $34
    Bagan $9.52
Compare Hotels in Chumphon and Bagan

Looking for a hotel in Chumphon or Bagan? 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 Chumphon


Hotels in Bagan


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: Chumphon Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Chumphon $6.87
    Bagan $2.31

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bagan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bagan:

  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bagan Nyaung-U Airport (NYU): $14
  • From Bagan City To Mandalay Private Transfer: $150

Is it cheaper to fly into Chumphon or Bagan?

Prices for flights to both Bagan and Chumphon 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
    Chumphon $14
    Bagan $3.85
Typical Food Prices in Chumphon

For Chumphon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Ice Cream
    $0.18
  • Fruit at the Market
    $0.59
  • Breakfast
    $1.19

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bagan

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bagan.

  • Romantic Sunset Dinner At Bagan Viewing Tower: $91

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Chumphon $11
    Bagan $37

Tours and Activities in Bagan

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

  • BAGAN TEMPLES FULL DAY GUIDED BY ELECTRIC BIKE ( Private Tour ): $64
  • Bagan Antique Day Tour in Bagan: $86
  • Bagan Cycling Tour ( Villages & Temples Cycling Explorer) : $129
  • Bagan Instagram Photo Tour: $179
  • Bagan Sightseeing Tour with Horse Cart: $86
  • Bagan and Mount Popa Private Tour (2 Days): $90
  • Full Day Bagan Tour: $160
  • Best Bagan One Day Tour With Tour Guide: $48
  • Day Cruise Bagan to Mandalay: $31
  • Excellent Private Guided Tour Around Bagan With Lunch: $88
  • Faces of Bagan Private Photography Tour: $199
  • Full Day tour In Bagan UNESCO World Heritage: $50

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Chumphon $12
    Bagan -
Typical Alcohol Prices in Chumphon

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


  • Beer (2)
    $4.15


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chumphon and Bagan, we can see that Chumphon is more expensive. And not only is Bagan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bagan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bagan 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 Chumphon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chumphon than you might in Bagan.

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


Which is Bigger, Chumphon or Bagan?

Chumphon has a larger population, and is about 190 times larger than the population of Bagan. When comparing the sizes of Chumphon and Bagan, 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.