A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kanchanaburi vs. Bandung for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kanchanaburi or Bandung?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kanchanaburi and Bandung. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Kanchanaburi or Bandung?

Kanchanaburi

If the hustle and bustle of the big city of Bangkok is just getting to you, there's an easy escape. Kanchanaburi, Thailand is a city located at the meeting of Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai, and is ideal for backpackers looking to reflect and relax. With easily accessible waterfalls and national parks, you'll wonder why anyone ever leaves.

Bandung

Bandung is the capital city of West Java, and the third largest city in Indonesia after Jakarta and Surabaya. Nicknamed Parijs van Java (Paris of Java) by the Dutch for its resemblance to Paris and European atmosphere back in colonial times, Bandung also earned another nickname as Kota Kembang, literally meaning the Flower City since Bandung used to have a lot of flowers. Nowadays, Bandung has become a very popular weekend escape for Jakartans, who crowd the city on weekends and national holidays. It's known for colonial and art deco architecture, a lively, university-town feel and relatively cool tropical weather. Bandung is also a shopping destination, with fashion outlets clustered along Jalan Setiabudi and Jalan Riau in the Dago district. The city also make a good base for day trips to the surrounding countryside - high volcanic peaks, hot springs, and tea plantations are all within reach.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia.


Which place is cheaper, Bandung or Kanchanaburi?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Kanchanaburi is $42, while the average daily cost in Bandung is $40. 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 Kanchanaburi and Bandung in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kanchanaburi $19
    Bandung $21
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kanchanaburi $38
    Bandung $42
Compare Hotels in Kanchanaburi and Bandung

Looking for a hotel in Kanchanaburi or Bandung? 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 Kanchanaburi


Hotels in Bandung


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: Kanchanaburi Hotel Prices and Bandung Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kanchanaburi $12
    Bandung $5.76

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kanchanaburi

Also for Kanchanaburi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Ratchaburi to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $90
  • Private Transfer from Ratchaburi to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $98
  • Private Transfer from Kanchanaburi to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $163
  • Private Transfer from Kanchanaburi to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $171
  • Private Airport Transfer : Bangkok to/from Kanchanaburi: $103
  • Arrival Bangkok Airport Private Transfer : Hotel in Kanchanaburi: $116

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bandung

Also for Bandung, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer from Kec. Batununggal Kel. Kacapiring 40271 to Bandung Airport (BDO): $35
  • Private Transfer from ciwidey to Bandung Airport (BDO): $57
  • Private Transfer from Villa Istana Bunga to Bandung Airport (BDO): $35
  • Private Transfer from Ujung Genteng Sukabumi to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $210
  • Private Transfer from Ujung Genteng Sukabumi to Jakarta Airport (CGK): $210
  • Private Transfer from Tamansari to Bandung Airport (BDO): $35
  • Private Transfer from Sukatani permai to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $68
  • Private Transfer from Sukatani Purwakarta Regency to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $109
  • Private Transfer from Sukaresmi, Sukamakmur, Bogor to Jakarta Airport (CGK): $93
  • Private Transfer from Sukaresmi Sukamakmur Bogor to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $93
  • Private Transfer from Sukaresmi Garut Regency to Jakarta Airport (CGK): $168
  • Private Transfer from Sukaresmi Cianjur Regency to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $109

Is it cheaper to fly into Kanchanaburi or Bandung?

Prices for flights to both Bandung and Kanchanaburi 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
    Kanchanaburi $12
    Bandung $14
Typical Food Prices in Kanchanaburi

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


  • Casual Lunch
    $4.09

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kanchanaburi

For Kanchanaburi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Thai Cooking Class: $34

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kanchanaburi $9.10
    Bandung $5.67
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kanchanaburi

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


  • Entry Park TreeHouse
    $5.46

Tours and Activities in Kanchanaburi

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

  • Amazing Boat Trip River Kwai and Erawan Falls Full Day Tour: $116
  • Bangkok Mystical Waterfall & River Kwai Tour: $241
  • Bangkok and Beyond - A 6 Day Exciting Group Tour: $1,000
  • Bangkok: 2-Day River Kwai & Erawan National Park Tour: $281
  • Bangkok: Erawan Waterfall, River Kwai & Death Railway Tour: $95
  • Bangkok: Kanchanaburi and Erawan Waterfall Private Tour: $149
  • Cycling to visit Local Experience and Learn Culture with Local expert: $28
  • Discovery Bike Tour: $16
  • E-Scooter Tour in Kanchanaburi: $30
  • Erawan Waterfall & Train Tour from Kanchanaburi – Full Day: $110
  • Erawan Waterfalls & Phra That Cave Tour : from Bangkok: $111
  • Full Day Kanchanaburi River Kwai Experience: $84

Tours and Activities in Bandung

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

  • Backpacker Style of the Java-Madura-Bali Island Tour 12 Days: $1,544
  • Bandung One Day Tour Package: $160
  • Kawah Putih Private Tour and Angklung Performance: $45
  • Volcano Tour with Hot Springs Swim: $135
  • Volcano, Hot Spring, Mud Bathing, & Lake Tour: $64
  • Bandung:Kawah Putih,Volcano,HotSpring,Mud Bathing,Lake Tour: $50
  • Bogor ,west Java Tour: $50
  • Day Trip White Crater Ciwidey Bandung All In - Tour Guide: $70
  • Full-Day Tour to Bandung White Crater,Lake and Tea Plantation: $82
  • Innova Reborn Tour driver car rental in Bandung: $64
  • Java Bali Private Tour Package with Driver as Guide: $468
  • Java Classic Overland Tour: $1,332

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kanchanaburi $8.03
    Bandung $3.46


When comparing the travel costs between Kanchanaburi and Bandung, we can see that Kanchanaburi 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. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Kanchanaburi or Bandung?

Bandung has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Kanchanaburi. When comparing the sizes of Kanchanaburi and Bandung, 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.