Which place is cheaper, Bagan or Koh Lanta?
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 Koh Lanta or Bagan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Koh Lanta and Bagan can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Koh Lanta or Bagan?
Koh Lanta
Located on the southern coast of Thailand is a place populated by long beaches and diving hotspots. Consisting of several islands, Koh Lanta is a large island with nine beaches along the coast. The beautiful scenery makes this a quiet and relaxing spot for tourists. The crowds on this island tend to be older than the party-seekers on Ko Phi Phi so you'll find more activities like serene walks on the beach or travelers catching a sunset.
Bagan
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 Eco Tours in Thailand, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand.
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Koh Lanta Prices
Thailand PricesBagan Prices
Myanmar Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Lanta $63Bagan $34
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Lanta is $63, while the average daily cost in Bagan is $34. 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 Koh Lanta and Bagan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Lanta $28Bagan $7.36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Lanta $56Bagan $15
Compare Hotels in Koh Lanta and Bagan
Looking for a hotel in Koh Lanta 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Koh Lanta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Lanta $6.37Bagan $3.57
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Lanta
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Lanta:
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Ferry from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Lanta
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Koh Lanta:
- ATV Jungle Ride on Ko Lanta Noi with Hotel Transfers: $48
- Koh Lanta Private Transfers to or from Krabi Airport (KBV): $91
- Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta Private Transfer with Hotel Pickup: $125
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bagan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bagan:
- From Bagan City To Mandalay Private Transfer: $180
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Lanta or Bagan?
Prices for flights to both Bagan and Koh Lanta 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 dayKoh Lanta $21Bagan $10
Typical Food Prices in Koh Lanta
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Lanta:
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Casual Breakfast$4.91
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Casual Lunch$8.29
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Casual Dinner$14
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Fancy Dinner (for Two)$52
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Lanta
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Koh Lanta.
- Cooking Experience at Lanta Thai Cookery School From Koh Lanta: $49
- Thai Cooking and Market Tour in Koh Lanta: $51
- Cooking Class and Market Tour at Lanta Thai Cookery School on Koh Lanta: $60
- Thai Cooking in a Teak House on Koh Lanta: $61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bagan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bagan.
- Romantic Sunset Dinner At Bagan Viewing Tower: $91
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Lanta $34Bagan $57
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Lanta
Here are a few typical costs in Koh Lanta for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Emerald Cave Tour$21
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Yoga Session (1 Hour)$11
Tours and Activities in Koh Lanta
Here are a few actual costs in Koh Lanta for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Mangrove Tour by Kayaking in Ko Lanta With Lunch: $23
- Koh Lanta Mangrove and Monkey Point Longtail Boat Tour: $24
- Lanta 4 Islands tour (Longtail boat): $30
- Half Day Mangrove and Lanta Old Town Tour: $31
- Half-Day Thung Yee Peng Mangrove Kayaking Adventure: $31
- 4 Island Tour to Emerald Cave by Longtail Boat from Koh Lanta: $31
- Lanta Mangrove Tour with Sea Cave Kayaking at Koh Talabeng: $34
- Sea Cave and Mangrove Forest Kayaking Tour From Koh Lanta: $36
- Lanta 4 Islands + Emerald Cave Snorkeling Tour: $36
- 4 Islands Tour by Speedboat with Snorkeling: $49
- Tin Adventure Sea Tour to 4 Islands & Emerald Cave from Koh Lanta: $50
- Lanta Old Town and Mangrove Forest Sightseeing Tour: $50
Tours and Activities in Bagan
Here are a few actual costs in Bagan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Day Cruise Bagan to Mandalay: $31
- Old Bagan Sightseeing Tour: $43
- Private Bagan Cultural Tour: $46
- Best Bagan One Day Tour With Tour Guide: $48
- Private Day Tour to Mt Popa: $48
- Visiting Mount Popa from Bagan - Private Tour: $48
- Full Day tour In Bagan UNESCO World Heritage: $50
- Tuk Tuk tour to Mt. Popa: $67
- Private Day Adventure Trip in Bagan: $71
- Full day Adventure Trip in Bagan with Tuk Tuk: $72
- Bagan Antique Day Tour in Bagan: $86
- Mount Popa - Private Day Tour: $105
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Lanta $4.27Bagan -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Lanta and Bagan, we can see that Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta Expensive? and Is Bagan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Koh Lanta or Bagan?
Koh Lanta has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Bagan. When comparing the sizes of Koh Lanta 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.
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.