Which place is cheaper, Bagan or Sukhothai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sukhothai or Bagan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Sukhothai and Bagan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Sukhothai or Bagan?
Sukhothai
If you are the kind of wandering traveler looking to find calm and inner peace, you will want to add Sukhothai to your list. Also known as "the dawn of happiness," this area is best known for the ruins of the ancient city of Sukhothai – the capital of Thailand during the 13th century. As the first capital of Siam, the area's temples and monuments are restored and ready for visitors from around the world.
Bagan
Located in central Myanmar (formerly Burma), Bagan is an ancient city best known as the home to the largest and densest concentration of Buddhist temples, pagodas, stupas, and ruins in the world with many dating from the 11th and 12th centuries.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Thailand, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySukhothai $59Bagan $30
The average daily cost (per person) in Sukhothai is $59, while the average daily cost in Bagan is $30. 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 Sukhothai and Bagan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSukhothai $23Bagan $7.36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSukhothai $46Bagan $15
Compare Hotels in Sukhothai and Bagan
Looking for a hotel in Sukhothai or Bagan? 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: Sukhothai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sukhothai $17Bagan $3.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sukhothai
Also for Sukhothai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sukhothai : private car transfer to/from Chiang Mai: $138
- Sukhothai Hotel Transfer: to/from Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: $159
- Sukhothai airport: Transfer to Sukhothai Historical Park: $78
- One -Way Private Transfer to Chiang Mai: $187
- Private Transfer to Bangkok City: $268
- Private Transfer to Bangkok City: $322
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bagan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bagan:
- From Bagan City To Mandalay Private Transfer: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into Sukhothai or Bagan?
Prices for flights to both Bagan and Sukhothai 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 daySukhothai $19Bagan $5.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bagan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bagan.
- Romantic Sunset Dinner At Bagan Viewing Tower: $91
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sukhothai $33Bagan $57
Tours and Activities in Sukhothai
For Sukhothai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2.5-Hours Guided Countryside Sunset Bike Tour: $18
- Half-Day Countryside Bike Tour: $26
- Cycling Sukhothai Full Day Countryside Tour: $32
- Historical Park & Countryside Cycling Tour: $42
- Full-Day Historical Park Cycling Tour with Lunch: $42
Tours and Activities in Bagan
Here are a few actual costs in Bagan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Acient Capitals of Myanmar Tour: $149
- Amazing Bagan, full day tour by car and guide: $90
- BAGAN TEMPLES FULL DAY GUIDED BY ELECTRIC BIKE ( Private Tour ): $64
- Bagan Classics Private Temples Tour: $159
- Bagan Cycling Tour ( Villages & Temples Cycling Explorer) : $129
- Bagan Horse Cart Ride Tour with Puppet Show: $160
- Bagan Instagram Photo Tour: $179
- Bagan and Mount Popa Private Tour (2 Days): $90
- Best Bagan One Day Tour With Tour Guide: $48
- Day Cruise Bagan to Mandalay: $31
- Excellent Private Guided Tour Around Bagan With Lunch: $88
- Full Day tour In Bagan UNESCO World Heritage: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySukhothai $12Bagan -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sukhothai and Bagan, we can see that Sukhothai is more expensive. And not only is Bagan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bagan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bagan 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 Sukhothai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sukhothai than you might in Bagan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sukhothai Expensive? and Is Bagan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sukhothai or Bagan?
Sukhothai has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Bagan. When comparing the sizes of Sukhothai and Bagan, 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.