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

Should you visit Cochin or Ulaanbaatar?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cochin or Ulaanbaatar, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Cochin or Ulaanbaatar?

Cochin

Cochin is a large city in Kerala, India. It's a cosmopolitan commercial port city with a population of over two million and is a major tourist destination. The city has a diverse population that has migrated from elsewhere in Kerala, as well as the rest of India. The city continues to become more cosmopolitan with fashion shifting to western styles. There are also many large shopping malls as well as an enthusiasm for sports such as football (soccer) or cricket.

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 Luxury Tours to India, The Best Budget Tours to India, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mongolia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Mongolia.


Which place is cheaper, Ulaanbaatar or Cochin?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Cochin is $36, 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 Cochin and Ulaanbaatar in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cochin $15
    Ulaanbaatar $12
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cochin $30
    Ulaanbaatar $24
Compare Hotels in Cochin and Ulaanbaatar

Looking for a hotel in Cochin 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 Cochin


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: Cochin Hotel Prices and Ulaanbaatar Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cochin $9.90
    Ulaanbaatar $2.91

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 Cochin or Ulaanbaatar?

Prices for flights to both Ulaanbaatar and Cochin 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
    Cochin $12
    Ulaanbaatar $8.94

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cochin $10
    Ulaanbaatar $4.42

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cochin $8.79
    Ulaanbaatar $3.83


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cochin and Ulaanbaatar, we can see that Cochin 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 Cochin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cochin 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 Cochin Expensive? and Is Ulaanbaatar Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cochin or Ulaanbaatar?

Ulaanbaatar has a larger population, and is about 40% larger than the population of Cochin. When comparing the sizes of Cochin 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.