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

Should you visit Hong Kong or Ulaanbaatar?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hong Kong 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: Hong Kong or Ulaanbaatar?

Hong Kong

In Hong Kong you will find a predominantly Cantonese population that has long been influenced by British occupation. Most residents speak English and you can see the obvious effects of years of capitalism. Shopping malls are everywhere and most are thriving. Along the waterfront every night the buildings light up in a dramatic and festive light show that highlights such businesses as Sony and Canon, which are fixtures in the city. The city is a major financial hub, and is very international in nature. The city itself is very densely packed and there are narrow high rises that look vulnerable due to their height. There are two main areas to the city, Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Hong Kong Island is the location of the original British settlement. Today it is where you will find the highest skyscrapers, the most modern buildings, and the most popular shopping areas. Kowloon is located on a peninsula that is to the north of Hong Kong Island. The tip of the peninsula is a popular destination for backpackers as it has many of the city's hostels. This area is referred to as Tsim Sha Tsui. There are also a few high end hotels in the area. It is possible to head outside of the city so that you can escape into some rural regions where you can take a break from the crowds.

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.

Which place is cheaper, Ulaanbaatar or Hong Kong?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Hong Kong is $159, while the average daily cost in Ulaanbaatar is $26. 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 Hong Kong and Ulaanbaatar in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hong Kong $75
    Ulaanbaatar $12
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hong Kong $150
    Ulaanbaatar $24
Compare Hotels in Hong Kong and Ulaanbaatar

Looking for a hotel in Hong Kong 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 Hong Kong


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: Hong Kong Hotel Prices and Ulaanbaatar Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hong Kong $8.71
    Ulaanbaatar $2.96
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hong Kong

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hong Kong:


  • MTR (for 2)
    $2.81
  • Local Bus
    $2.81
  • Ferry Ticket
    $0.26
  • Hong Kong Airport Express Train Ticket
    $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ulaanbaatar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ulaanbaatar:

  • VIP Pick Up And Drop Off Airport Transfer In Ulaanbaatar City: $36
  • Ulaanbaatar Airport Transfer: $27
  • Transfer service to Terelj national park : $51
  • Private Transfer to Ulaanbaatar Airport ULN by Business Vehicle: $28
  • Private Transfer from Ulaanbaatar to or from Terelj National Park: $60
  • Private Transfer from Chinggis Khaan Airport to Ulaanbaatar: $31
  • Private Transfer between New Ulaanbaatar International Airport and Ulaanbaatar : $60
  • Private Transfer Ulaanbaatar Airport ULN to Ulaanbaatar City : $28
  • Private Departure Transfer: Ulaanbaatar Airport: $20
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Ulaanbaatar Airport: $20
  • New Ulaanbaatar International Airport Transfer Service: $45
  • Airport transfer service: $50

Is it cheaper to fly into Hong Kong or Ulaanbaatar?

Prices for flights to both Ulaanbaatar and Hong Kong 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
    Hong Kong $33
    Ulaanbaatar $9.09
Typical Food Prices in Hong Kong

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


  • Dinner for 2
    $11

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.
    Hong Kong $95
    Ulaanbaatar $4.49
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hong Kong

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Hong Kong's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Peak Tram
    $7.66
  • Madame Tussauds Hong Kong
    $24

Tours and Activities in Hong Kong

For Hong Kong, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Plover Cove Bicycling and Hiking Adventure: $110
  • Ma On Shan Climbing Adventure: $115

Tours and Activities in Ulaanbaatar

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

  • Private Tandem Paragliding Experience at Bayanzurkh Mountain: $96
  • 1 Day Chinggis Khaan Statue & Terelj National Park Private tour: $180
  • 1 Day City Sightseeing with Bogd Khan Winter Palace and Traditional Concert: $125
  • 1 Day Coach Tour of Genghis Khan Statue Complex and Terelj National Park Including Lunch: $83
  • 1 Day Coach Tour of Terelj National Park Including Lunch And Free Camel Ride: $83
  • 1 Day Semi-Gobi All-included tour : $141
  • 1 Day Semi-Gobi Tour Including Lunch And Free Camel +Bonus Khustai National Park: $169
  • 1 Day Semi-Gobi Tour Including Lunch And Free Camel or Horseback Ride: $145
  • 1 Day Semi-Gobi Tour with Lunch And Enjoying Camel or Horseback: $138
  • 1 Day Tour: Khustai National Park: $193
  • 1 Day Tour: Terelj National Park And Chinggis Statue: $193
  • 1 Day tour: Khustai National Park: Przewalski's wild horses: $190

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hong Kong $21
    Ulaanbaatar $3.90


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


Which is Bigger, Hong Kong or Ulaanbaatar?

Hong Kong has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Ulaanbaatar. When comparing the sizes of Hong Kong 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.