Which place is cheaper, Bangkok or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Kolkata (Calcutta) or Bangkok?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kolkata (Calcutta) or Bangkok, 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: Kolkata (Calcutta) or Bangkok?
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Formerly known as Calcutta, Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal, India. Featuring colonial architecture, galleries, temples, and festivals, the city has flourished from its roots as an East India Company trading post in the 18th Century to a thriving metropolis. Today Kolkata is a diverse center of culture and bustling activity.
Bangkok
Bangkok: a name synonymous with all things exotic. The vibrant and exciting capital of Thailand is not just a hub for Southeast Asia, but also a destination into itself. Known for an active nightlife and party scene, as well as great food, historic temples, and busy markets, Bangkok offers a diversity to entertain even the most experienced travelers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in India, The Best Bicycle Tours in India, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, and The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKolkata (Calcutta) $37Bangkok $76
The average daily cost (per person) in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $37, while the average daily cost in Bangkok is $76. 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 Kolkata (Calcutta) and Bangkok in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKolkata (Calcutta) $17Bangkok $41
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKolkata (Calcutta) $34Bangkok $82
Compare Hotels in Kolkata (Calcutta) and Bangkok
Looking for a hotel in Kolkata (Calcutta) or Bangkok? 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: Kolkata (Calcutta) Hotel Prices and Bangkok Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kolkata (Calcutta) $5.11Bangkok $5.77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kolkata (Calcutta):
- Build Your Own: custom private tour of Kolkata with transfers: $69
- Kolkata 8 Hour Private City Tour Including Hotel Transfers by Car: $86
- Path of Knowledge: A Heritage Walking Tour of Kolkata with Private Transfer: $165
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kolkata Airport: $32
- Private Transfer Kolkata Airport CCU To Kolkata Hotels Drop: $22
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bangkok are as follows:
-
Tuk Tuk to bus station$2.18
-
Skytrain Ticket$4.36
-
Chao Phraya River Express Ticket$0.87
-
Ferry Ride$0.71
-
Taxi From Airport$6.82
-
Short Taxi Ride$2.45
-
Boat Taxi$1.36
-
Trains to airport$4.36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:
- Suvarnabhumi Airport Bus transfer to/from Bangkok: $4.06
- Bus transfer from/to Suvarnabhumi Airport: $4.99
- Airport BKK||DMK : Private car Transfer to downtowns Bangkok: $12
- Private transfer from Hotel in Bangkok to BKK Airport : $14
- Private Bangkok Airport Transfer (BKK/DMK): $14
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Bangkok HTL- APT(BKK): $14
- Bangkok International Airport - Departure Transfer: $15
- Private Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport Transfer To City Hotels Or Hotel To Airport: $15
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Bangkok APT-HTL (BKK): $17
- Private Bangkok Airport Transfer: $17
- Bangkok International Airport - Arrival Transfer: $17
- Departure Private Transfer Bangkok City to Bangkok Airport BKK or DMK by Sedan: $17
Is it cheaper to fly into Kolkata (Calcutta) or Bangkok?
Prices for flights to both Bangkok and Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 dayKolkata (Calcutta) $14Bangkok $18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kolkata (Calcutta).
- Bengali Nights Kolkata Food Tour with 13+ Tastings: $35
- Cooking experience in Authentic Bengali House with Lunch/Dinner: $41
- Alleyway Food Tour: $42
- Traditional Bengali Cooking Class in Kolkata in a Local Home: $64
Typical Food Prices in Bangkok
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Bangkok:
-
Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe (for Two)$25
-
Casual Lunch of Prawns (for Two)$5.46
-
2 Rotis (Bread)$1.23
-
Mango & Sticky Rice$0.82
-
Lunch at KFC (for Two)$5.46
-
Pad Thai$1.91
-
Airport Lunch for 2$15
-
Lunch for 2$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bangkok.
- Bangkok Food Tour and Sightseeing with Tuktuk: $16
- White Orchid Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise: $19
- Chao Phraya Princess Dinner Cruise Ticket: $20
- Baiyoke Observation Deck with Lunch/Dinner Buffet: $21
- River Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess: $23
- Meridian Sunset Dinner Cruise - Floating Paradise From ICONSIAM Bangkok: $23
- Calypso Cabaret Show with Thai Set Dinner: $24
- 2-Hour Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess: $26
- Alangka Luxury Buffet Dinner Cruise With Live Music: $27
- Viva Alangka Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise: $27
- Chao Phraya Buffet Dinner Viva Alangka Cruise: $27
- Riverside Dinner Buffet Cruise On Chao Phraya: $27
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kolkata (Calcutta) $15Bangkok $16
Tours and Activities in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kolkata (Calcutta) are as follows:
- Heritage & Cultural Walk of Kolkata (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Kolkata Colonial Walk (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Kolkata Food Crawl (2 Hours Guided Local Food Tasting Tour): $20
- Chasing The Sun Experience Kolkata's Culture: $25
- Kolkata Half Day Guided City Tour: $27
- The Taste of Kolkata - Evening Food Walk Tour: $30
- Magic Hour Tour: $37
- Cultural Confluence of Kolkata - Culture Kaleidoscope Tour: $37
- Kolkata's Flower Market - Hooghly's Flower Fest Tour: $37
- Kolkata Slum Walking Tour: $41
- Indian Museum Guided Tour (Including surrounding area): $43
- Mesmerising Kolkata Private Customised Day Tour: $53
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bangkok
Here are a few typical costs in Bangkok for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Movie Ticket$4.36
-
Grand Palace Entrance Ticket$9.55
-
Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket$1.36
-
Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)$5.46
-
Club Cover Charge$10
-
Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)$65
-
Fish Pedicure$4.09
-
Wat Pho entrance ticket$2.73
-
Siriraj Museum (2)$11
Tours and Activities in Bangkok
Here are a few actual costs in Bangkok for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Thailand's Road to Democracy: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $1.99
- Bangkok Noi Canal: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.13
- Road to Democracy: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Thailand's Modern Politics: $5.20
- Skip the Line Admission Ticket: Ayutthaya Floating Market: $5.31
- Skip the line Admission Ticket: Ayutthaya Floating Market: $5.52
- Chinatown and Wat Traimit Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.00
- Skip the Line Admission Ticket of Ayothaya Floating Market: $8.28
- Skip the Line Admission Ticket of Ayothaya Floating Market: $8.28
- Pororo Aqua Park Entry Ticket: $9.46
- Skip the Line: Patpong Museum Guided Tour : $9.66
- Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Audio Guide: $10
- Grand Palace Self-Guided Walking Tour: $10
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKolkata (Calcutta) $8.27Bangkok $5.97
Sample the Local Flavors in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Also in Kolkata (Calcutta), these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Kolkata: $39
Typical Alcohol Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bangkok are as follows:
-
Beer$1.09
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangkok
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bangkok:
- Pub Crawl and Club Night With Shots & VIP Entrance: $22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kolkata (Calcutta) and Bangkok, we can see that Bangkok is more expensive. And not only is Kolkata (Calcutta) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kolkata (Calcutta) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 Bangkok would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bangkok than you might in Kolkata (Calcutta).
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kolkata (Calcutta) Expensive? and Is Bangkok Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kolkata (Calcutta) or Bangkok?
Bangkok has a larger population, and is about 10% larger than the population of Kolkata (Calcutta). When comparing the sizes of Kolkata (Calcutta) and Bangkok, 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.