Which place is cheaper, Ulaanbaatar or Singapore?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Singapore or Ulaanbaatar?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Singapore or Ulaanbaatar? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Singapore or Ulaanbaatar?
Singapore
Singapore is a city-state that was originally founded in 1819 as a British trading colony. Today it is a very international country that is incredibly modern and cosmopolitan. There is a strong financial industry in this country, and a correspondingly strong work ethic. It is one of the most prosperous cities in the world, and has one of the world's busiest ports.
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 Budget Tours to Singapore, The Best Tours for Seniors to Singapore, 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 daySingapore $151Ulaanbaatar $25
The average daily cost (per person) in Singapore is $151, 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 Singapore and Ulaanbaatar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSingapore $98Ulaanbaatar $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSingapore $196Ulaanbaatar $24
Compare Hotels in Singapore and Ulaanbaatar
Looking for a hotel in Singapore 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: Ulaanbaatar Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Singapore $10Ulaanbaatar $2.91
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Singapore
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Singapore:
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Taxi to Airport$24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Singapore
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Singapore:
- Adventure Cove Waterpark + 1 Way Transfer: $83
- Airport Transfer: $80
- Airport Transfer: Singapore Airport SIN to Singapore in Business Car: $99
- Airport Transfer: Singapore Airport SIN to Singapore in Luxury Van: $116
- Airport Transfer: Singapore to Singapore Airport SIN in Business Car: $99
- Airport Transfer: Singapore to Singapore Airport SIN in Luxury Van: $116
- Amazing City Experience + Roundtrip Transfers: $44
- Arrival Private Transfer Singapore Airport to Singapore City in a Business Car: $87
- Arrival Private Transfer: Singapore Airport SIN to Singapore in Luxury Car: $154
- Arrival Private Transfer: Singapore Airport to Singapore City by luxury vehicle: $95
- Changi International Airport Private MPV Transfer: $149
- City Experience + Roundtrip Transfers: $46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ulaanbaatar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ulaanbaatar:
- 2024 Ulaanbaatar Airport Transfer & Taxi Shuttle Service - Best!: $18
- Private Transfer Ulaanbaatar Airport ULN to Ulaanbaatar City : $28
- Private Transfer to Ulaanbaatar Airport ULN by Business Vehicle: $28
- Private Transfer from Chinggis Khaan Airport to Ulaanbaatar: $37
- Private Departure Transfer: Ulaanbaatar Airport: $40
- New Ulaanbaatar International Airport Transfer Service: $45
- Private Transfer from Ulaanbaatar to or from Terelj National Park: $60
Is it cheaper to fly into Singapore or Ulaanbaatar?
Prices for flights to both Ulaanbaatar and Singapore 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 daySingapore $27Ulaanbaatar $8.94
Typical Food Prices in Singapore
Some typical examples of dining costs in Singapore are as follows:
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Breakfast$4.48
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Sugarcane Juice$1.47
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Singapore
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Singapore.
- Singapore : Traditional Snacks Cooking Class: $36
- Secrets of Singapore Kick Scooter Tour with Dinner: $46
- Secrets of Singapore Kick Scooter Tour with Dinner: $48
- Guided Hawker Culture & Street Food Tour at Night: $65
- Local Hawker Food Tour with Tastings: $65
- Marina Bay Sands Yacht Cruise with Dinner: $68
- Singapore Bike and Bites Food Tour: $69
- Eat Snap Tour - Katong Walking Food Tour: $73
- Small Group: Michelin and Local Hawker Food Tour: $73
- Private Korean Cooking Class in Balmoral Road: $75
- Zebra Urban Safari Bicycle Tour with Local Dinner and Drinks: $76
- Little India Hawker Street Food Tour: $81
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Singapore $32Ulaanbaatar $4.42
Tours and Activities in Singapore
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Singapore are as follows:
- The Civic District: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $3.99
- Kampong Glam: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.99
- River Wonders Entry Ticket: $5.10
- Singapore Street Art Hunting in Kampong Glam: A Self-guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Artoholic A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- The Civic District with Singapore Boy Hossan Leong: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Big Little India: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Singapore's History of Trade: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Follow the Money: A self-guided audio tour of Singapore's Financial District: $5.20
- Kampong Glam: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Singapore's Malay Culture: $5.20
- The Civic District: Hear stories about Singapore's past on an audio tour: $5.20
- Singapore's Stories and Histories: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
Tours and Activities in Ulaanbaatar
Here are a few actual costs in Ulaanbaatar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private custom tour with a local guide: $47
- Ulaanbatar : Private Custom Tour With A Local Guide : $48
- Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex and Sain Nomun Monastery Tour : $50
- Traditional Music and Dance Performance Ticket: $69
- Genghis Khan Statue One Day Tour +Bonus Terelj National Park And Aryabal Temple: $79
- Ancient Fine Arts with Honored Masters - UB City Experience: $82
- 1 Day Coach Tour of Genghis Khan Statue Complex and Terelj National Park Including Lunch: $83
- Day Tour of Hustai National Park: $83
- 1 Day Coach Tour of Terelj National Park Including Lunch And Free Camel Ride: $83
- Day Tour to Terelj Park Chinggs khaan statue, Zaisan Hill: $86
- City tour all included: $90
- Night city tour all included: $90
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySingapore $27Ulaanbaatar $3.83
Sample the Local Flavors in Singapore
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Singapore:
- Tour of Tiger Brewery in Singapore: $22
- Little India Pub Crawl : $23
- Singapore Pub Crawl - Party like a Local: $26
- Little India Pub Crawl: $26
- Singapore Pub Crawl (SG Pub Crawl): $27
- Party Singapore Bespoke Pub Crawl:Wildest Nightlife Clubbing: $32
- Halloween Horror Nightlife PartySingapore Bespoke Pub Crawl: $37
- Party Singapore Bespoke Pub Crawl Wildest Nightlife Experience: $38
- Enjoy Gin Distillery Tour with Tasting Flight and Singapore Sling Masterclass: $58
- Tiger Brewery Tour, Swim & Sunset Photo Session at Raffles Marina: $99
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Singapore and Ulaanbaatar, we can see that Singapore 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 Singapore would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Singapore 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 Singapore Expensive? and Is Ulaanbaatar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Singapore or Ulaanbaatar?
Singapore has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Ulaanbaatar. When comparing the sizes of Singapore 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.