Which place is cheaper, Ulaanbaatar or Pattaya?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pattaya or Ulaanbaatar?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Pattaya and Ulaanbaatar can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Pattaya or Ulaanbaatar?
Pattaya
Go where the locals go. If that is your vacation motto, you will want to take a look at the popular weekend getaway of Pattaya, Thailand. This seaside resort on the Eastern Gulf Coast of Thailand is just outside of Bangkok, and full of resorts, beer bars and beaches.
Hosting more than five million visitors a year, Pattaya is easily accessed from the capital and the airport. Keep in mind, the sex tourism industry is still a large money earner for this city, but efforts by local authorities have created resorts and attractions for families and vacationers from all around the world.
Ulaanbaatar
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mongolia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Mongolia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPattaya $66Ulaanbaatar $25
The average daily cost (per person) in Pattaya is $66, 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 Pattaya and Ulaanbaatar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPattaya $24Ulaanbaatar $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPattaya $48Ulaanbaatar $24
Compare Hotels in Pattaya and Ulaanbaatar
Looking for a hotel in Pattaya 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Pattaya Hotel Prices and Ulaanbaatar Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pattaya $12Ulaanbaatar $2.91
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pattaya
Also for Pattaya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Big Bee farm Pattaya ( Entry & Return Transfers): $11
- Private Hotel in Pattaya to U-Tapao Airport Transfer: $37
- Admission Ticket to Underwater World Pattaya with Return Transfer: $37
- Bangkok Hotel Transfer: to/from Pattaya Hotel Transfer: $95
- Bangkok Private Transfer from Pattaya city to Bangkok (BKK) Airport: $142
- Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya Transfer: $39
- Bus transfer between Pattaya and Bangkok: $3.69
- DMK Airport to Pattaya Hotel Transfer (Private): $68
- Departure Private Airport Transfer : Rayong/Koh Samed Hotel to Bangkok Airport: $97
- Flower Land Pattaya Admission Ticket with Return Transfer: $59
- Frost Magical Ice Of Siam at Pattaya with Return Transfer: $24
- Frost Magical Ice Of Siam at Pattaya with Return Transfer: $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ulaanbaatar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ulaanbaatar:
- Airport transfer service: $50
- New Ulaanbaatar International Airport Transfer Service: $45
- Private Departure Transfer: Ulaanbaatar Airport: $40
- Private Transfer from Chinggis Khaan Airport to Ulaanbaatar: $37
- Private Transfer Ulaanbaatar Airport ULN to Ulaanbaatar City : $28
- Private Transfer to Ulaanbaatar Airport ULN by Business Vehicle: $28
- 2024 Ulaanbaatar Airport Transfer & Taxi Shuttle Service - Best!: $18
- Mongolia Airport Transfer & Taxi Service -BEST!: $18
Is it cheaper to fly into Pattaya or Ulaanbaatar?
Prices for flights to both Ulaanbaatar and Pattaya 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 dayPattaya $22Ulaanbaatar $8.94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pattaya
For Pattaya, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- All Star Dinner Cruise, Cabaret Show & Beer Buffet: $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ulaanbaatar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ulaanbaatar.
- Cooking Class in a Traditional Ger Home in Ulaanbaatar Suburbs: $100
- Farm to Table: Organic Farm Visit and Mongolian Cooking Class: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pattaya $21Ulaanbaatar $4.42
Tours and Activities in Pattaya
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pattaya.
- Floating Market Entry Ticket: $3.18
- Pattaya sheep Farm Entrance Tickets: $3.60
- FlowerLand Pattaya Admission Ticket (Optional Activities): $4.97
- Fairy Sweet Village Pattaya Entry ticket: $5.41
- Art in Paradise Pattaya Admission Ticket: $6.00
- Mini Siam Entry Ticket: $6.62
- Entry Ticket for Art in Paradise 3D Art Museum in Pattaya: $7.18
- Pattaya : Coral Island Tour by Speedboat with Indian Lunch & Pick Up from Hotel: $7.59
- Half-day Coral Island Join Tour with Lunch from Pattaya: $7.73
- Pattaya Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Mini Siam Miniature World in Pattaya Admission Ticket: $9.44
- Mini Siam Miniature World at Pattaya Admission Ticket: $9.44
Tours and Activities in Ulaanbaatar
Here are a few actual costs in Ulaanbaatar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private Tandem Paragliding Experience at Bayanzurkh Mountain: $96
- 1 Day Coach Tour of Genghis Khan Statue Complex and Terelj National Park Including Lunch: $83
- 1 Day Coach Tour of Terelj National Park Including Lunch And Free Camel Ride: $83
- 1 Day Semi-Gobi All-included tour : $141
- 1 Day Semi-Gobi Tour Including Lunch And Free Camel +Bonus Khustai National Park: $169
- 1 Day Semi-Gobi Tour Including Lunch And Free Camel or Horseback Ride: $145
- 1 Day Tour: Terelj National Park And Chinggis Statue: $193
- 1 Session with Shaman and know your future tour: $149
- 1 day tour Chinggis khan statue, Terelj national park: $89
- 12 day Great Gobi and Central Mongolia full adventure: $1,950
- 2 Day Local experience by train visit Tunkhel town: $340
- 2 Day Semi-Gobi Tour with nomads And Free Camel Ride: $235
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPattaya $8.18Ulaanbaatar $3.83
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pattaya and Ulaanbaatar, we can see that Pattaya 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 Pattaya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pattaya 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 Pattaya Expensive? and Is Ulaanbaatar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Ulaanbaatar?
Ulaanbaatar has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Pattaya. When comparing the sizes of Pattaya 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.
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.