Which place is cheaper, Ulaanbaatar or Osaka?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Osaka or Ulaanbaatar, 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.
The third largest city in Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer travelers. It's at the center of the Kansai region, and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city sits at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay and is a major commercial hub for the country.
Osaka has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. The winters are mild with January temperatures having an average high of almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is very rare. Springs start cool and become hot and humid. This is also the wettest season with the rainiest time being between May and early July. Summers are hot and humid with July temperatures climbing into the high 90s Fahrenheit. The fall season becomes cooler as winter approaches.
Ulaanbaatar is Mongolia's capital city. It has a population of slightly over two million people, or about sixty percent of the country's entire population. You are likely to arrive in Ulaanbaatar either by train, coming from China or Russia, or by plane. Many people use Ulaanbaatar as a stop off while doing the Transsiberian Railway. The city is a great place to organize a tour of the surrounding countryside. It's also good city to relax, so make sure you allow yourself a few days to recover from your tour, enjoy some of the great food options, and see some of the fascinating cultural sights around town.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mongolia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Mongolia.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Osaka is $88, while the average daily cost in Ulaanbaatar is $25. 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 Osaka and Ulaanbaatar in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Osaka or Ulaanbaatar? 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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:
Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ulaanbaatar:
Prices for flights to both Ulaanbaatar and Osaka 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 Osaka, 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 Ulaanbaatar.
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Here are a few actual costs in Ulaanbaatar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Osaka and Ulaanbaatar, we can see that Osaka is more expensive. And not only is Ulaanbaatar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ulaanbaatar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ulaanbaatar 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 Osaka would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Osaka than you might in Ulaanbaatar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Osaka Expensive? and Is Ulaanbaatar Expensive?.
Osaka has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Ulaanbaatar. When comparing the sizes of Osaka and Ulaanbaatar, 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.