Which place is cheaper, Bagan or Darjiling?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Darjiling 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.
What began as a cluster of villages grew to prominence in the 19th Century when the British first established a hill station here and eventually realized that the climate was well-suited for tea plantations. Darjeeling (or Darjiling) has since become known for its teas in addition to cultural diversity, stunning views, and trekking opportunities.
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 Adventure Tours to India, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in India.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Darjiling is $35, while the average daily cost in Bagan is $30. 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 Darjiling and Bagan in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Darjiling 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.
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.
Also for Darjiling, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bagan:
Prices for flights to both Bagan and Darjiling 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bagan.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Darjiling.
Here are a few actual costs in Bagan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Darjiling and Bagan, we can see that Darjiling 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 Darjiling would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Darjiling 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 Darjiling Expensive? and Is Bagan Expensive?.
Darjiling has a larger population, and is about 410 times larger than the population of Bagan. When comparing the sizes of Darjiling 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.