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 $139, 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 $64
    Yangon $31
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Phuket $128
    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)
    $9.42
  • Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town
    $7.85

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:

  • Phuket Airport (HKT) Departure Transfer from Phuket Hotels (Shared or Private): $11
  • Phuket Airport (HKT) Arrival Transfer to Phuket Hotels (Shared or Private): $11
  • Private Phuket Airport Transfer to Hotel and Vice Versa: $13
  • PHUKET Arrival Transfer-Phuket Airport to Phuket Hotels (Shared): $15
  • Private Arrival Transfer - Phuket Airport to Hotel (SHA Plus): $19
  • Phuket Int Airport (HKT) to Phuket - Arrival Private Transfer: $20
  • Private PHUKET Arrival Transfer - Phuket Airport to Phuket Hotels: $22
  • Phuket To Phi Phi Island By Phi Phi Cruiser - Include Pickup Transfer: $23
  • Private Transfer from Phuket hotels to Phuket Cruise Port: $24
  • Phuket Airport HKT to Phuket Private Hotel Transfer: $25
  • Phuket Phiphi-Phhpi Phuket Ferry include Transfer to hotel: $25
  • Private Departure Transfer from Phuket Hotel to Phuket Airport: $26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Yangon:

  • Bagan (Nyaung Oo) Airport Private Transfer : $27
  • Bagan Airport Transfer with Private Car: $13
  • Private Airport Transfer at Yangon Airport to Center of Yangon: $23
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Bagan Nyaung-U Airport (NYU) to Hotel: $14
  • 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): $32
  • 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 $43
    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)
    $9.08
  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $5.34
  • Sit Down Dinner (for Two)
    $13
  • Thai Noodles
    $2.83
  • Bananas
    $0.79
  • Pizza (for Two)
    $9.42

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: $28
  • Express Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $52
  • Vegetarian Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $53
  • Phuket Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $55
  • Authentic Thai Cooking Class by Suuko Wellness Spa: $57
  • Phuket Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour and Hotel Pickup: $57
  • Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $57
  • Carnival Entertainment and Dinner Experience in Phuket: $58
  • Southern Flavors Phuket Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
  • Phuket City Tour with Phothong Ride and Cooking Class: $59
  • Phuket Easy Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour: $61
  • Choose Your Own Dishes: Half-Day Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $63

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangon

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

  • Morning Yangon Food Tour: $24
  • Yangon Street Food Tours: $28
  • Yangon morning food tour with train ride : $45
  • 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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Phuket $49
    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
    $28
  • Scuba Diving (Two Dives)
    $79
  • Thai Oil Massage
    $20
  • Surfboard Rental
    $9.42

Tours and Activities in Phuket

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

  • Oto Indoor Play Park Entrance Ticket in Phuket: $7.90
  • Aquarium Phuket Admission Ticket: $14
  • Phuket City Tour with Pickup Option: $15
  • Feed Me Banana Elephant Experience Short Activity : $16
  • Phuket Rock Beach Swing Tickets: $16
  • Phuket Bird Park Admission Ticket: $19
  • Phuket Highlights: Half Day City Tour with Landmark & Viewpoint: $21
  • Phang Nga Bay Skywalk at Samet Nangshe Admission Ticket: $21
  • Half Day Phuket City tour + Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off: $21
  • Exclusive Jurassic Mini-Golf Ticket at Dino Park Phuket: $23
  • Patong Beach Water Sports Adventure from Phuket: $24
  • Athena Cabaret Show Admission Ticket in Phuket: $25

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
  • Morning Eat, Walk & Ride Tour: $25
  • Half-Day Spiritual Shwedagon Pagoda Join in Tour in Yangon: $33
  • Walking Tour in Downtown Yangon: $35
  • Yangon Breakfast and Market Tour - The must try dishes!: $35
  • Yangon Full Day City Tour: $38
  • Yangon Group Street Food & Walking Tour: $40
  • Yangon City Tour With English Speaking Driver: $40
  • Bagan Sightseeing Tour by Private Guide and Car: $42
  • One Bagan Sightseeing Tour: $45
  • Discover Bagan Day Tour : $45
  • Old Bagan Full Day Tour : $46

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Phuket $7.32
    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)
    $6.28
  • Beer
    $2.67

Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket

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

  • Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience: $41
  • Phuket Sightseeing Tour with Rum Distillery : $111
  • Big Buddha & The Distillery Phuket: $136


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.