Which place is cheaper, Ulaanbaatar or Ho Chi Minh City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Ho Chi Minh City or Ulaanbaatar?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Ho Chi Minh City and Ulaanbaatar can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Ho Chi Minh City or Ulaanbaatar?
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam. It previously served as the capital of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). The metropolitan area, including Ho Chi Minh City, Thu Dau Mot, Di An, Bien Hoa, and other surrounding towns, has a population of more than 9 million people and continues to grow.
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 Historical Tours in Vietnam, The Best 10-Day Tours in Vietnam, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mongolia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Mongolia.
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Ho Chi Minh City Prices
Vietnam PricesUlaanbaatar Prices
Mongolia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHo Chi Minh City $89Ulaanbaatar $30
The average daily cost (per person) in Ho Chi Minh City is $89, while the average daily cost in Ulaanbaatar 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 Ho Chi Minh City and Ulaanbaatar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHo Chi Minh City $49Ulaanbaatar $11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHo Chi Minh City $98Ulaanbaatar $22
Compare Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City and Ulaanbaatar
Looking for a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City 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: Ho Chi Minh City Hotel Prices and Ulaanbaatar Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ho Chi Minh City $15Ulaanbaatar $2.79
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Ho Chi Minh City:
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Short Taxi Ride$1.35
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Taxi From Airport$7.74
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Cyclo Ride (One Hour)$1.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ho Chi Minh City
Also for Ho Chi Minh City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- #1 Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh / SGN Airport : Private Luxury Transfer: $145
- Airport Transfer (From Airport - Ho Chi Minh City (Private 16 Seats Car): $70
- Airport Transfer From Hotel in Ho Chi Minh to Airport By 4 Seats Car: $35
- Airport Transfers (Airport - Ho Chi Minh,Private 16 Seats Car): $52
- Can Tho: Bus transfer directly to/from Saigon City: $14
- Chan May Private transfer to Hoian via Hai Van Pass, marble Hills: $66
- Cu Chi Tunnels Half-Day Tour with English Guide & Transfers: $42
- Fusion Resort to Nha Trang - Private Transfer: $20
- Golden Bridge, Marble mount, guide, lunch, transfer from Cruises: $199
- Grand Park Water Park & Rides Ticket with Optional Transfer: $14
- HCMC: Shooting Range Experience with Transfer: $69
- HO CHI MINH AIRPORT: CAR 7s PICK UP HOTEL (one way transfer): $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ulaanbaatar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ulaanbaatar:
- VIP Airport Transfer-Cadillac Escalade (6 Passengers+6 Luggage): $266
- Transfer service to Kharkhorin: $240
- Transfer Service to Khustai National Park: $178
- Private Airport Transfer and City Ride: $139
- Airport Private Transfer: $75
- Private Transfers in Ulaanbaatar – Flexible & Reliable: $75
- Transfer service to Terelj national park: $56
- Private Transfer to Ulaanbaatar Airport UBN by private Vehicule: $51
- Airport transfer service: $50
- New Ulaanbaatar International Airport Transfer Service: $45
- Khurlee Airport Transfer Service: $40
- Ulaanbaatar Airport Transfer and Private Car with Driver: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Ho Chi Minh City or Ulaanbaatar?
Prices for flights to both Ulaanbaatar and Ho Chi Minh City 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 dayHo Chi Minh City $23Ulaanbaatar $15
Typical Food Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ho Chi Minh City:
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Street Food Dinner (for Two)$4.14
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Pizza$5.03
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Sweet Rice$1.16
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Pork Sandwich$0.58
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.57
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Western Lunch (for Two)$12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ho Chi Minh City
For Ho Chi Minh City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Budget Street Food Tour – Pay-As-You-Go: $3.22
- Ho Chi Minh City Local Street Food Tour With Local Students: $7.95
- Ho Chi Minh City Authentic Street Food Tour With Local Students: $7.95
- Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour & Hidden Local Gems Sightseeing: $9.93
- Mekong With Cai Be Less Tourist - Cooking Class: $14
- Express Cooking Experience: $15
- Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour with Local LGBT Student Guide: $16
- Mekong Delta 4 Islands, TukTuk, Boat, Try Khot Cake Local Cooking: $16
- Vietnamese Spring Roll Cooking Class: $16
- HCMC: Saigon Food Tour & Chinatown & Local Market on Scooter: $17
- Ho Chi Minh City Cyclo Ride with Lunch or Dinner Experience: $18
- Ho Chi Minh City Michelin & Street Food Tour by Motorbike or Car: $18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ulaanbaatar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ulaanbaatar.
- Ulaanbaatar Walking Tour & Cooking Class in a Mongolian Home: $159
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ho Chi Minh City $20Ulaanbaatar $4.23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
For Ho Chi Minh City, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Massage$5.42
Tours and Activities in Ho Chi Minh City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ho Chi Minh City.
- Hidden Bunker & Vietnam War - Ho Chi Minh City Free Walking Tour: $0.62
- Highlights & Hidden Gems - Free Walking Tour: $0.62
- Chinatown Hidden Treasures – Ho Chi Minh City Free Walking Tour: $0.62
- Ghosts & Legends of Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City Night Walking Tour: $0.62
- Ho Chi Minh City private walking tours with young local volunteers: $1.83
- Hidden Jungle War Experience – The Untold Side of Saigon: $1.83
- Private Long Tan Battlefield, Nui Dat Base and Vung Tau Day Tour: $1.91
- Tan Lap Floating Village Authentic Mekong Delta Nature Tour: $1.91
- Budget-Friendly Guided Walking Tour: $1.91
- Ho Chi Minh City Flexible Private Tour with Spa, City Highlights: $1.91
- Ho Chi Minh Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $3.57
- Langbiang Nature Park Experience with Tickets: $4.80
Tours and Activities in Ulaanbaatar
Here are a few actual costs in Ulaanbaatar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day -Nomad Naadam Experience: $115
- 1 Day Chinggis Khaan Statue & Terelj National Park Private tour: $180
- 1 Day Semi-Gobi All-included tour: $146
- 1 Day Terelj Tour from Ulaanbaatar: $250
- 1 Day Tour: Khustai National Park: $206
- 12 day Great Gobi and Central Mongolia full adventure: $2,210
- 2 Day Local experience by train visit Tunkhel town: $380
- 2 Day full adventure to Central Mongolia: $370
- 2 day Central Mongolia /Joint public tour: $280
- 3 day Khar khorum budget tour Central Mongolia: $400
- 4 Day Best of Central Mongolia tour, Chinggis Khan statue: $500
- 4 Day Terelj park and Gobi tour: $750
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHo Chi Minh City $7.73Ulaanbaatar $3.67
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Ho Chi Minh City:
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Beer$0.39
Sample the Local Flavors in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Ho Chi Minh City:
- Rooftops, Hidden Bars & Iconic Pub Crawl: $8.06
- Make Your Own Gin Experience and Saigon Baigur Distillery Tour: $36
- Make-Your-Own Gin Experience & Saigon Baigur Distillery Tour: $36
- Saigon After Dark: Pub Crawl & Party Adventure: $69
- Bike And Craft Beer Brewery Mekong Delta Cycling Tour: $152
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ho Chi Minh City and Ulaanbaatar, we can see that Ho Chi Minh City 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 Ho Chi Minh City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ho Chi Minh City 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 Ho Chi Minh City Expensive? and Is Ulaanbaatar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ho Chi Minh City or Ulaanbaatar?
Ho Chi Minh City has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Ulaanbaatar. When comparing the sizes of Ho Chi Minh City 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.