Which place is cheaper, Bagan or Krabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Krabi and Bagan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Thailand is covered in beaches, but if you're more interested in immersion in Thai culture than the salty ocean, consider a trip to Krabi, also known as "Krabi Town". Pronounced "Grabee," this small, but bustling city is just up the river from the coast, and is the gateway to the beaches in the surrounding Province of Krabi. Krabi Town is full of hotels, agencies and western restaurants, but if you look hard enough, you'll easily see the energy and life of Thailand. While there are no beaches in the town itself, there is plenty of Thai culture to experience.
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 10-Day Tours in Thailand, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Krabi is $55, while the average daily cost in Bagan 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 Krabi and Bagan in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Krabi 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.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Krabi are as follows:
Also for Krabi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bagan:
Prices for flights to both Bagan and Krabi 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.
For Krabi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Krabi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bagan.
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Krabi's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Krabi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Here are a few actual costs in Bagan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Krabi are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Krabi:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Krabi and Bagan, we can see that Krabi 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 Krabi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Krabi 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 Krabi Expensive? and Is Bagan Expensive?.
Krabi has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Bagan. When comparing the sizes of Krabi 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.