Which place is cheaper, Ulaanbaatar 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 Ulaanbaatar?
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 Ulaanbaatar 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 Ulaanbaatar?
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.
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 Eco Tours in Thailand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mongolia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Mongolia.
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Koh Lanta Prices
Thailand PricesUlaanbaatar Prices
Mongolia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Lanta $62Ulaanbaatar $30
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Lanta is $62, 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 Koh Lanta and Ulaanbaatar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Lanta $27Ulaanbaatar $11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Lanta $54Ulaanbaatar $22
Compare Hotels in Koh Lanta and Ulaanbaatar
Looking for a hotel in Koh Lanta 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: Koh Lanta Hotel Prices and Ulaanbaatar Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Lanta $6.31Ulaanbaatar $2.80
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:
- 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 Ulaanbaatar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ulaanbaatar:
- Airport - Ulaanbaatar transfer service: $40
- Airport Private Transfer: $75
- BEST 5* Chinggis Khaan Airport UBN Ulaanbaatar Transfer Taxi 24/7: $21
- Best Price :Terelj National Park Best Non-Guided Transfers: $36
- Chinggis Khaan Airport (UBN) Taxi Transfers to/from Ulaanbaatar: $20
- Private Transfer to Ulaanbaatar Airport UBN by private Vehicule: $52
- Transfer Service to Khustai National Park: $178
- Transfer service to Kharkhorin: $220
- Transfer service to Terelj national park: $51
- Airport Transfer Taxi Shuttle Pick Up: $23
- Chinggis Khaan Airport (UBN) Taxi Transfer 24/7: $21
- ULN Airport to Downtown|Hotels Private Transfer: $21
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Lanta or Ulaanbaatar?
Prices for flights to both Ulaanbaatar 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 $21Ulaanbaatar $15
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$4.86
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Casual Lunch$8.21
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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
- Sukho Cuisine Thai Cooking School From Koh Lanta: $58
- 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 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: $229
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Lanta $34Ulaanbaatar $4.25
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: $22
- 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
- Half Day Mangrove Kayaking Adventure Tour From Koh Lanta: $44
- 4 Islands Tour by Speedboat with Snorkeling: $48
- 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 Ulaanbaatar
Here are a few actual costs in Ulaanbaatar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Terelj National Park Via Genghis Khan Statue Full Day Tour: $35
- Gobi Cashmere Flagship Store Shopping Tour: $35
- Terelj national park transport /Best price tour: $36
- Private custom walking tour with a local guide: $40
- Genghis Khan Tour – Mongolia’s #1 Daily Escape: $50
- Genghis Khan Tour – Mongolia’s #1 Daily Escape: $50
- Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex and Sain Nomun Monastery Tour: $50
- Mongolian Traditional Music and Dance Performance Ticket: $50
- Private custom tour with a local guide: $52
- From UB: Day Tour to Chinggis khaan statue and Terelj NP.: $58
- Chinggis Khaan Statue and Turtle Rock Day Tour: $59
- From UB:Chinggis Khan Statue&Turtle Rock&Aryapala temple Day Tour: $59
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Lanta $4.23Ulaanbaatar $3.68
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Lanta and Ulaanbaatar, we can see that Koh Lanta 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 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 Ulaanbaatar.
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 Ulaanbaatar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Koh Lanta or Ulaanbaatar?
Ulaanbaatar has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Koh Lanta. When comparing the sizes of Koh Lanta 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.