Which place is cheaper, Bangkok or Lhasa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Lhasa or Bangkok?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Lhasa or Bangkok? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Lhasa or Bangkok?
Lhasa
Lhasa is the famed capital of Tibet, and is one of the most fascinating cities in the world to visit. It's name means "Land of the Gods" and the city dates back more than 1,300 years. It's elevation is 3,650 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest cities in the world. It sits on the northern slopes of the Himalayan Mountains by the Lhasa River and is the second largest city on the Tibetan Plateau after Xining.
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 Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, and The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand.
-
Lhasa Prices
China PricesBangkok Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLhasa $97Bangkok $99
The average daily cost (per person) in Lhasa is $97, while the average daily cost in Bangkok is $99. 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 Lhasa and Bangkok in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLhasa $42Bangkok $48
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLhasa $84Bangkok $96
Compare Hotels in Lhasa and Bangkok
Looking for a hotel in Lhasa 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: Lhasa Hotel Prices and Bangkok Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lhasa $2.78Bangkok $6.24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lhasa
Also for Lhasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Lhasa Kongga Airport Chauffeur Service, Lhasa Airport Transfer, Pickup: $170
- Lhasa Kongga Airport private Transfer: $260
- Lhasa Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $102
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bangkok are as follows:
-
Tuk Tuk to bus station$2.39
-
Skytrain Ticket$4.78
-
Chao Phraya River Express Ticket$0.96
-
Ferry Ride$0.78
-
Taxi From Airport$7.46
-
Short Taxi Ride$2.69
-
Boat Taxi$1.49
-
Trains to airport$4.78
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:
- oneway transfer service Bangkok-Hua hin: $76
- VIP Bangkok Tours and Transfers: $64
- Transfer from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Rayong Province: $95
- Transfer from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Pattaya: $65
- Transfer from Don Mueang (DMK) Airport to Bangkok city: $29
- Transfer from BKK Suvarnabhumi International Airport to khao Yai National Park: $82
- Transfer from BKK Suvarnabhumi International Airport to DMK Donmuang Airport: $33
- Transfer Suvarnabhumi Airport(BKK) to Bangkok City Center: $18
- Transfer From Don Mueang Airport to Bangkok Hotel or Vice Versa: $40
- Thrilling Jurassic World Adventure with Private Bangkok Transfer: $64
- Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya 24 hour Round trip Transfer Service: $147
- Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya 24 hour Private Airport Transfer Service: $76
Is it cheaper to fly into Lhasa or Bangkok?
Prices for flights to both Bangkok and Lhasa 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 dayLhasa $49Bangkok $34
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)$27
-
Casual Lunch of Prawns (for Two)$5.97
-
2 Rotis (Bread)$1.34
-
Mango & Sticky Rice$0.90
-
Lunch at KFC (for Two)$5.97
-
Pad Thai$2.09
-
Airport Lunch for 2$16
-
Lunch for 2$22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bangkok.
- Mahanakorn Pad Thai & Tom Yum Cooking Class in Bangkok: $21
- Meridian Dinner and Sunset Cruise in Bangkok: $24
- Chao Phraya Princess Sunset and Dinner Cruise: $26
- Bangkok Sawasdee Sunset Dinner Cruise from ICONSIAM Beer FreeFlow: $26
- Calypso Cabaret Show with Thai Set Dinner: $28
- Meridian Sunset Cruise Dinner Buffet from Bangkok: $28
- Chao Phraya Princess Bangkok Sunset Dinner Cruise: $28
- Baiyoke Sky Dinner Experience with Observation Deck Access: $29
- Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise with Cabaret Show and Sunset View: $29
- Bangkok Sunset or Evening Dinner Cruise (The Planet Cruise): $30
- Bangkok Amazing Chaophraya River Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $30
- Bangkok Newest Luxury Noah Chao Phraya River Dinner Cruise: $31
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lhasa $18Bangkok $17
Tours and Activities in Lhasa
For Lhasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 5-Day Private Tour with Potala Palace & Yamdrok Lake: $1,299
- 17-Day Tibet Tour with Everest Base Camp: $3,759
- 17 Days Kailash Mansarovar Tour & Guge Kingdom Exploration: $13,185
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$4.78
-
Grand Palace Entrance Ticket$10
-
Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket$1.49
-
Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)$5.97
-
Club Cover Charge$11
-
Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)$72
-
Fish Pedicure$4.48
-
Wat Pho entrance ticket$2.98
-
Siriraj Museum (2)$12
Tours and Activities in Bangkok
Here are a few actual costs in Bangkok for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- "Bangkok Walking Hopping Tour" show city’s historic sights are located.: $74
- "View" Rooftop Dining Experience with Cityscape Views: $83
- 1 Hour Axe Throwing Experience: $19
- 2 Day Guided Tour from Bangkok to Ayutthaya: $91
- 2 Hours Bangkok Canal Tour By Longtail Boat: $70
- 2-Hour Guided Tour in Bangkok's Chinatown: $23
- 3 Days Bangkok Experience with Accommodation & Top Sightseeing: $180
- 3 Hour Bus Tour in Ayutthaya Heritage and Temples: $34
- 3 Hours Heritage Ayutthaya Bus Tour to Famous Temples: $27
- 3 Remarkable Temples Walking Tour in Bangkok: $61
- 3hr Sunset Canal Cruise & Stop at Biggest Buddha (fully guided): $73
- 4 Dishes Thai Cuisine Experience at Bang Kruai, Nonthaburi: $59
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayLhasa $7.47Bangkok $5.46
Typical Alcohol Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bangkok are as follows:
-
Beer$1.19
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangkok
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bangkok:
- The Original Speakeasy & Iconic Venues Pub Crawl: $21
- Sunset Rooftop, TukTuk Ride, Night Market & Bar Crawl: $29
When comparing the travel costs between Lhasa and Bangkok, we can see that Bangkok 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 Lhasa Expensive? and Is Bangkok Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lhasa or Bangkok?
Bangkok has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Lhasa. When comparing the sizes of Lhasa 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.