A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kampala vs. Yangon for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kampala or Yangon?

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

Should I visit Kampala or Yangon? 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: Kampala or Yangon?

Kampala

Kampala is the capital of Uganda in the South part of the country near Lake Victoria. It is the largest city in Uganda, with a population of over two million people. This city is very safe and the locals are known to be very kind and approachable.

Yangon

Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is the largest city and economic center for the nation of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. The city is a mix of British, Burmese, Chinese, and Indian influences, and is host to beautiful 19th-century colonial architecture as well as modern skyscrapers. The people of Yangon mainly follow the Buddhist religion and it is common to see monks wandering along the busy streets amidst gilded temples.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in Uganda, and The Best Safaris in Uganda.


Which place is cheaper, Yangon or Kampala?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Kampala is $69, while the average daily cost in Yangon is $63. 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 Kampala and Yangon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kampala $59
    Yangon $31
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kampala $118
    Yangon $62
Compare Hotels in Kampala and Yangon

Looking for a hotel in Kampala or Yangon? 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 Kampala


Hotels in Yangon


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: Kampala Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kampala $2.48
    Yangon $2.39
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kampala

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kampala are as follows:


  • Taxi around town
    $3.98

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kampala

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kampala:

  • Entebbe Airport taxi. For a safe, affordable and reliable 24/7 airport transfer.: $45
  • Entebbe Airport Transfers: $80
  • Private Transfer from Entebbe Airport (EBB) Uganda to Kampala: $128
  • Full-Day Kampala Trip with Lunch and Hotel Transfers: $200
  • From 3-Day Murchison Falls Safari with Transfer: $2,200

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Yangon:

  • Bagan (Nyaung Oo) Airport Private Transfer : $8.54
  • Bagan Airport Transfer with Private Car: $13
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Bagan Nyaung-U Airport (NYU) to Hotel: $14
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Yangon International Airport (RGN) to Hotel: $23
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon International Airport (RGN): $23
  • Private Yangon Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon Airport: $40
  • Yangon Airport (RGN): Private Transfer to/from Yangon City: $41
  • Yangon Airport Private Arrival Transfer : $20
  • Yangon Airport Private Transfer : $27
  • Private Hotel Transfers to or from YIA Airport: $25

Is it cheaper to fly into Kampala or Yangon?

Prices for flights to both Yangon and Kampala 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
    Kampala $8.36
    Yangon $9.72
Typical Food Prices in Kampala

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Kampala:


  • Lunch for 2
    $1.59

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kampala

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

  • Like a local cooking Tours: $26
  • Three-Hour Food Tour: $41
  • Private Cooking Class with a Local Host: $47
  • Momma Ida's Ugandan Cuisine Cooking Tour: $75
  • Kampala City Walking Food Tour: $77
  • Night-time Boda Boda Street Food Tour: $91
  • Amazing Race - Food Tour: $103
  • Half-day Kampala City Tour and Traditional Dance Show with Dinner (7-Hours): $147
  • Kampala food tour: $205

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangon

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

  • Morning Yangon Food Tour: $24
  • Yangon morning food tour with train ride : $27
  • Yangon Street Food Tours: $28
  • Cooking Myanmar Food and Explore Dala: $46
  • Cooking class in the down town of Yangon, half day tour (07:30 AM - 12:30 PM): $65
  • Half day Cooking Course in Yangon: $90

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kampala -
    Yangon -

Tours and Activities in Kampala

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

  • Uganda Community Tour: $15
  • African Fabric Market Tour : $18
  • 3-Hour Walking Tour with Optional Gaddafi Mosque: $24
  • Kampala:Guided walking tour: $25
  • Entebbe Walking Tour (3 Hours) with Zoo and Botanical Gardens Options: $25
  • Tombs, King’s palace and Gaddafi mosque walk tours: $26
  • Steve Kampala Walking tours: $27
  • Safe Motorbike Tour in Kampala (Boda Boda Tour): $30
  • Kampala Guided walking Tour: $30
  • Free Female Guided Walking Tours Kampala (3 Hours): $30
  • Inside Kampala walking tour (Female guided): $32
  • Running City Tour of Kampala at Dawn (7 KMs | Sundays): $33

Tours and Activities in Yangon

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yangon are as follows:

  • Bus Ticket ( Yangon - Mandalay): $21
  • Walk and Ride Yangon Foodie Tour: $25
  • Morning Eat, Walk & Ride Tour: $25
  • Walking Tour in Downtown Yangon: $25
  • Yangon Dala Discovery Tour on Bamboo Bicycles: $32
  • Half-Day Spiritual Shwedagon Pagoda Join in Tour in Yangon: $33
  • Adventure Half-day visit in Yangon : $37
  • Yangon Full Day City Tour: $38
  • Adventure Half-day visit in Yangon including Shwedagon Pagoda: $39
  • Yangon City Tour With English Speaking Driver: $40
  • Half-Day Thanlyin Tour in Yangon: $40
  • Yangon Group Street Food & Walking Tour: $40

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kampala -
    Yangon -

Sample the Local Flavors in Kampala

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kampala:

  • Entebbe and club,pub and bar crawl experiences: $35
  • Kampala Pub Crawl | Uganda | 4 hours: $65


When comparing the travel costs between Kampala and Yangon, we can see that Kampala is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Kampala is in Africa and Yangon is in Asia, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Kampala or Yangon?

Yangon has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kampala. When comparing the sizes of Kampala and Yangon, 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.