Which place is cheaper, Sapa or Mumbai?
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 Mumbai or Sapa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mumbai or Sapa, 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: Mumbai or Sapa?
Mumbai
Mumbai is the largest city in India and the capital of Maharashtra state. It is still occasionally referred to as Bombay, but most people know it now as Mumbai. It's the commercial capital of the country and is a major port city. It's also famous for Bollywood, which is the movie capital of the country and famous for it's music filled Bollywood flicks that have become popular around the world. Mumbai is arguably the most cosmopolitan city in India and has some of the most liberal views of an otherwise conservative country. Many immigrants and expats live in Mumbai and it's easy to see the blend of cultures.
Sapa
Sapa is a beautiful town in the northern mountains of Vietnam by the border with China. Many travelers pass through the area on their way from China into Hanoi. Alternatively, some travelers head north from Hanoi to spend a few days in the beautiful mountains where tribal cultures are still alive and well. There are a good number of ethnic minorities that populate the area. The eight populations in the area include H'mong, Dao, Tay, Giay, Muong, Thai, Hoa, and Xa Pho, but the vast majority in the area are H'mong. Within the town of Sapa itself, there are about 7,000 people. The rest of the population lives in the surrounding countryside and are peasant farmers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Mumbai, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India, The Best Budget Tours to Vietnam, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Vietnam.
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Mumbai Prices
India PricesSapa Prices
Vietnam Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMumbai $75Sapa $46
The average daily cost (per person) in Mumbai is $75, while the average daily cost in Sapa is $46. 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 Mumbai and Sapa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMumbai $29Sapa $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMumbai $58Sapa $24
Compare Hotels in Mumbai and Sapa
Looking for a hotel in Mumbai or Sapa? 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: Mumbai Hotel Prices and Sapa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mumbai $6.37Sapa $9.07
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mumbai
Also for Mumbai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private 3Day City Tour with Hotel & Airport Transfer: $377
- Luxury Mumbai Package with Hotel,Private Airport Transfers and Sightseeing Tour: $270
- Private Shore Excursion with Guide & Transfers: $215
- From Sondai Fort Guided Trek with Meals & Transfers: $179
- From Prabalgad Fort Trek with Meals and Transfers: $165
- Mumbai to Alibaug Private Speed Boat Transfer: $145
- Full-Day Private City Tour with Guide and Transfer: $120
- Mumbai Private Bollywood Studio Tour with Transfer: $117
- Airport Transfer: Mumbai to Mumbai Airport BOM by Van: $108
- Private Bollywood Tour with Dance Show & Transfers: $104
- Arrival Transfer: Mumbai Airport BOM to Mumbai by Luxury Van: $97
- Mumbai Airport (BOM) to Mumbai - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $73
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sapa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Sapa are as follows:
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Short Motorbike Ride$1.15
Is it cheaper to fly into Mumbai or Sapa?
Prices for flights to both Sapa and Mumbai 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 dayMumbai $38Sapa $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mumbai
For Mumbai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Bollywood Studio Tour & Indian Cooking Class: $11
- Private Evening City & Street Food Tour with AC Car: $11
- Best Steet Food Tour & Marekt with Train Ride Tour: $14
- Mumbai Food Tour — 178 Years of Bombay on a Plate: $14
- Discover Mumbai's street & beach with Vegetarian food tour: $14
- Mumbai Street Food Tour with Evening Bazaar Walk: $14
- Authentic Indian Cooking Class in Mumbai with a Local Family: $16
- Vegetarian Indian Cuisine Virtual Cooking Class Experience from Mumbai: $20
- Indian Cooking Class & Cultural Delights: $23
- Private Dharavi Walking Tour & Indian Cooking Class: $25
- Safe Food Tour in Mumbai for 2 hours: $27
- Indian cusine demonstration cum hands on with Hi Tea / Dinner at a Family home: $29
Typical Food Prices in Sapa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Sapa:
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Casual Dinner (for One)$2.62
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Quick Breakfast (for Two)$2.12
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Coffee (for Two)$2.31
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Western Dinner (for Two)$7.67
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Pho Soup$0.58
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mumbai $2.31Sapa $5.91
Tours and Activities in Mumbai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Mumbai.
- " Dash Of Mumbai " Sightseeing & Experiences-by Goi Licensed Guide Ragini Doshi: $281
- "Mumbai - Dharavi Slum Tour": $8.47
- "Mumbai City Sightseeing Tour": $42
- 2 Days Delhi, Agra Tour from Mumbai by Flight: $299
- 2 Days Mumbai City tour with Elephanta Caves: $90
- 2 Days Mumbai Tour with Car and Hotel: $285
- 2-Day Tour to Taj Mahal, Agra from Mumbai with Both side Commercial Flights: $270
- 2-Day Tour to The Taj Mahal, Agra from Mumbai with Both Side Commercial Flights: $254
- 2-Hour Guided Tour of Dharavi: $21
- 2Days Mumbai Sightseeing Tours with Dharavi, Elephanta Caves: $62
- 3 Days Chatrapati Shambaji Nagar Tour from Mumbai in Pvt Vehicle: $290
- 3 Days Complete Mumbai Tour Inclusive of Bollywood Studio Experience: $277
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sapa
For Sapa, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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CatCat Village Tax$1.54
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Ta Phin Village Tax$0.77
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Walking Stick$0.19
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Paddle Boat Rental on Sapa Lake (1 Hr)$3.08
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMumbai $3.20Sapa $7.88
Sample the Local Flavors in Mumbai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Mumbai:
- Bombay Party (Bar Crawl): $25
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sapa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Sapa are as follows:
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Two Beers$0.96
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mumbai and Sapa, we can see that Mumbai is more expensive. And not only is Sapa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sapa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sapa 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 Mumbai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mumbai than you might in Sapa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mumbai Expensive? and Is Sapa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mumbai or Sapa?
Mumbai has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Sapa. When comparing the sizes of Mumbai and Sapa, 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.