A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mount Kailash vs. Bangkok for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mount Kailash or Bangkok?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Mount Kailash 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: Mount Kailash or Bangkok?

Mount Kailash

The main point of entry to Mount Kailash is a small village called Darchen. Once an important sheep station for nomads and their flocks, the village has now grown to provide for the pilgrims wishing to embark towards Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. It contains a number of guest houses and restaurants as well as a hotel where pilgrims must get permission from the Public Security Bureau to make the trek around the mountain. Also in the village are a handful of small stores and kiosks, as well as some grounds for camping. It is about 330 km (a one-day bus drive) from the town of Shiquanhe to the northeast, where Gunsa Airport is located, offering flights twice a week to Lhasa and Chengdu.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, and The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Bangkok or Mount Kailash?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Mount Kailash Prices
    China Prices
    Bangkok Prices
    Thailand Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Mount Kailash $90
    Bangkok $105

The average daily cost (per person) in Mount Kailash is $90, while the average daily cost in Bangkok is $105. 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 Mount Kailash and Bangkok in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mount Kailash $27
    Bangkok $50
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mount Kailash $54
    Bangkok $100
Compare Hotels in Mount Kailash and Bangkok

Looking for a hotel in Mount Kailash 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.

Hotels in Mount Kailash


Hotels in Bangkok


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: Bangkok Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mount Kailash $32
    Bangkok $6.57

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bangkok

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bangkok are as follows:


  • Tuk Tuk to bus station
    $2.51
  • Skytrain Ticket
    $5.02
  • Chao Phraya River Express Ticket
    $1.00
  • Ferry Ride
    $0.82
  • Taxi From Airport
    $7.85
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $2.83
  • Boat Taxi
    $1.57
  • Trains to airport
    $5.02

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:

  • Affordable Bangkok Airport Transfer: $22
  • Airport Private Transfers from Suvarnabhumi BKK to Bangkok City: $33
  • Airport Transfer Camry/Fortuner or Similar : $45
  • Airport Transfer Luxury Sedan Mercedes E Class BMW 5 Series: $98
  • Airport Transfer to​ or from Hotel in Bangkok (Private Transport): $58
  • Airport Transfer: Bangkok Airport BKK to Bangkok by Luxury Van: $107
  • Airport transfer to Bangkok downtown: $26
  • Arrival Bangkok Airport Private Transfer : Trat/ Koh Chang: $135
  • Arrival Transfer Bangkok Airport BKK to Bangkok City by Sedan: $71
  • Arrival Transfer from BKK Airport to Bangkok Hotel: $15
  • Ayutthaya Day Tour from Bangkok with Hotel Transfers: $85
  • Ayutthaya Floating Market Admission Ticket with Transfer: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Mount Kailash or Bangkok?

Prices for flights to both Bangkok and Mount Kailash 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 day
    Mount Kailash $43
    Bangkok $36

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)
    $28
  • Casual Lunch of Prawns (for Two)
    $6.28
  • 2 Rotis (Bread)
    $1.41
  • Mango & Sticky Rice
    $0.94
  • Lunch at KFC (for Two)
    $6.28
  • Pad Thai
    $2.20
  • Airport Lunch for 2
    $17
  • Lunch for 2
    $23

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bangkok.

  • Baiyoke Sky Hotel Observation Deck Ticket with Lunch or Dinner : $22
  • Meridian Dinner and Sunset Cruise in Bangkok: $23
  • Royal Princess Dinner Cruise in Bangkok: $25
  • Chao Phraya Princess Sunset and Dinner Cruise: $27
  • Twilight Dinner Cruise Along Chao Phraya River in Bangkok: $29
  • Calypso Cabaret Show with Thai Set Dinner: $29
  • Baiyoke Sky Dinner Experience with Observation Deck Access: $29
  • Baiyoke Sky Observation Deck With Buffet Dinner or Lunch: $29
  • Bangkok Amazing Chaophraya River Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $32
  • Nopparat’s Traditional Thai Dinner & Dance: $32
  • Chao Phraya River Serenade: VIVA Alangka Dinner Cruise, Bangkok: $32
  • Riverside Bangkok Dinner Cruise with Buffet and City Views: $32

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mount Kailash $16
    Bangkok $18

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
    $5.02
  • Grand Palace Entrance Ticket
    $11
  • Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket
    $1.57
  • Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)
    $6.28
  • Club Cover Charge
    $12
  • Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)
    $75
  • Fish Pedicure
    $4.71
  • Wat Pho entrance ticket
    $3.14
  • Siriraj Museum (2)
    $13

Tours and Activities in Bangkok

Here are a few actual costs in Bangkok for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Road to Democracy: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Thailand's Modern Politics: $5.00
  • Bangkok Noi Canal: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
  • Bangkok's Old Town: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Bangkok City Session Walking Tour: $8.18
  • Grand Palace Self-Guided Walking Tour (entry not incl.): $9.00
  • Space and Time Cube Tickets in Bangkok: $9.66
  • Ancient City Bangkok and Erawan Museum Tickets: $10
  • Erawan Museum Ticket (NON THAI): $10
  • Half Day Coral Island Tour from Pattaya With Lunch: $11
  • Erawan Museum at Bangkok Admission Ticket: $13
  • Explore Brilliant Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $14
  • Bangkok Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha Tour: $14

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mount Kailash $2.80
    Bangkok $5.65

Typical Alcohol Prices in Bangkok

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bangkok are as follows:


  • Beer
    $1.26

Sample the Local Flavors in Bangkok

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bangkok:

  • Bangkok Pub Crawl: $17
  • The Original Bangkok Pub Crawl: $32


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mount Kailash and Bangkok, we can see that Bangkok is more expensive. And not only is Mount Kailash much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mount Kailash would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mount Kailash 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 Mount Kailash.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mount Kailash Expensive? and Is Bangkok Expensive?.