A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Phuket vs. Yangon for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Phuket or Yangon?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Yangon, 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: Phuket or Yangon?

Phuket

Phuket Island is the holiday gem of southern Thailand. Known for its beaches and resorts, the island brings in a massive amount of travelers from all over the world, year round. Although the beaches are beautiful, Phuket has also become more westernized and tourist-oriented in recent decades, leaving many travelers to venture elsewhere to find that amazing beach with a more authentic Thai vibe. However, Phuket Island is quite large, and hidden gems can still be found.

Yangon

Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is the largest city and economic center for the nation of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. The city is a mix of British, Burmese, Chinese, and Indian influences, and is host to beautiful 19th-century colonial architecture as well as modern skyscrapers. The people of Yangon mainly follow the Buddhist religion and it is common to see monks wandering along the busy streets amidst gilded temples.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Yangon or Phuket?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $133, while the average daily cost in Yangon is $70. 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 Phuket and Yangon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Phuket $61
    Yangon $31
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Phuket $122
    Yangon $62
Compare Hotels in Phuket and Yangon

Looking for a hotel in Phuket or Yangon? 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 Phuket


Hotels in Yangon


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: Phuket Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Phuket $12
    Yangon $2.38
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Phuket

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:


  • Longtail Taxi (for Two)
    $9.01
  • Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town
    $7.51

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:

  • Phuket Airport (HKT) Arrival Transfer to Phuket Hotels (Shared or Private): $11
  • Phuket Airport (HKT) Departure Transfer from Phuket Hotels (Shared or Private): $11
  • Phuket Airport Private Transfer To or From All Phuket Hotels: $13
  • One-Way to/from Phi Phi Premium Ferry Transfer: $13
  • Phuket Private Transfer from/to Phuket Airport HKT (one way): $15
  • Ferry Transfer to/from Phi Phi Tonsai or Laem Tong: $16
  • One-Way Ferry Transfer to/from Koh Phi Phi: $16
  • (Privet)Phuket Transfer: $17
  • One Way Cruise Transfer from Phuket to Phi Phi – Multiple Classes: $17
  • Phuket Airport Arrival Transfer – Domestic & International: $18
  • Phuket Private Transfer To or From Phuket Hotel by Van & WiFi: $19
  • Phuket to Phuket Int Airport (HKT) - Departure Private Transfer: $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Yangon:

  • Bagan (Nyaung Oo) Airport Private Transfer: $27
  • Private Airport Transfer: Yangon Airport (RGN) → Yangon Hotel: $35
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Yangon International Airport (RGN) to Hotel: $23
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon International Airport (RGN): $23
  • Private Transfer from or to Rangon International Airport (YIA): $30
  • Private Yangon Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon Airport: $80
  • Yangon Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $60
  • Yangon Airport Private Transfer: $45

Is it cheaper to fly into Phuket or Yangon?

Prices for flights to both Yangon and Phuket 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
    Phuket $41
    Yangon $17
Typical Food Prices in Phuket

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:


  • Casual Dinner (for Two)
    $8.68
  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $5.11
  • Sit Down Dinner (for Two)
    $13
  • Thai Noodles
    $2.70
  • Bananas
    $0.75
  • Pizza (for Two)
    $9.01

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket

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

  • One Day Experience Cooking at Phuket Patong Thailand: $27
  • Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour Option in Bang Tao Phuket: $47
  • Phuket City Tour with Sunset and Thai Cooking: $47
  • Vegetarian Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $51
  • Phuket Express Thai Cooking Course with Authentic Recipes: $52
  • Phuket 10+ Tastings Food Tour & Charming Old Town: $52
  • Authentic Thai Cooking Class by Suuko Wellness Spa: $55
  • Express Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $55
  • Discounted Ticket to Phuket Siam Niramit Show with Dinner: $57
  • Phuket Coral Island and Sunset Dinner by Luxury Catamaran: $57
  • Southern Flavors Phuket Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
  • Baba Tastes Phuket Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangon

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

  • Cooking Myanmar Food and Explore Dala: $46
  • Cooking class in the down town of Yangon, half day tour (07:30 AM - 12:30 PM): $65
  • Cooking Class in Yangon,Myanmar: $67

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Phuket $47
    Yangon -
Typical Entertainment Prices in Phuket

Here are a few typical costs in Phuket for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • One Day Boat Tour
    $27
  • Scuba Diving (Two Dives)
    $75
  • Thai Oil Massage
    $19
  • Surfboard Rental
    $9.01

Tours and Activities in Phuket

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

  • Phuket Self Guided Island Tour: $1.14
  • Phuket Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
  • Oto Indoor Play Park Entrance Ticket in Phuket: $7.58
  • Phuket Circus : The Adrenaline Rush Show Tickets (Aqua Circus): $16
  • Ultimate Virtual Reality Gaming Park Ticket at VAR Live in Phuket: $17
  • Phuket Bird Park Admission Ticket: $18
  • Half Day Phuket City tour + Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off: $18
  • Phuket Highlights: Half Day City Tour with Landmark & Viewpoint: $20
  • Rock Beach Swing Ticket with Karon Viewpoint in Phuket: $20
  • Simon Cabaret Show Phuket Admission E-Ticket: $20
  • Phuket to Koh Phi Phi by Phi Phi Cruiser: $20
  • Aquaria Phuket Ticket: $21

Tours and Activities in Yangon

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yangon are as follows:

  • Yangon Cosmopolitan City Walking Tour: $22
  • Half-Day Spiritual Shwedagon Pagoda Join in Tour in Yangon: $33
  • Walking Tour in Downtown Yangon: $35
  • Yangon City Tour With English Speaking Driver: $40
  • Bagan Sightseeing Tour by Private Guide and Car: $42
  • Discover Bagan Day Tour: $45
  • Old Bagan Full Day Tour: $46
  • Half Day Spiritual Shwedagon Pagoda Tour in Yangon: $50
  • Bagan Cultrue Tour: $50
  • One Bagan Sightseeing Tour: $52
  • Yangon Bike & Bite Tour: $59
  • Yangon Evening Street Food and Market Walking Tour: $61

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Phuket $7.00
    Yangon -
Typical Alcohol Prices in Phuket

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Phuket from other travelers:


  • Cocktails (for Two)
    $6.01
  • Beer
    $2.55

Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket

Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Pub Crawl Rooftop, Bars, GoGo & 3 Clubs with Shots: $21
  • Phuket Guided Pub Crawl: $29
  • Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience and Lunch: $52
  • Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery: $85
  • Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop And Wat Chalong Temple: $172


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Yangon, we can see that Phuket is more expensive. And not only is Yangon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Yangon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yangon 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 Phuket would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phuket than you might in Yangon.

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


Which is Bigger, Phuket or Yangon?

Yangon has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Yangon, 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.