Which place is cheaper, Ulaanbaatar or Tokyo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Tokyo or Ulaanbaatar?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tokyo 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: Tokyo or Ulaanbaatar?
Tokyo
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is by far the most populous city in the world with a staggering 37 million people. As a worldwide hub for technology and business, it hosts millions of visitors annually. But Tokyo is not just a place for business trips. With its incredible mixture of historical temples and shrines, remarkably beautiful parks, endless shopping malls, and genuinely wonderful people, Tokyo is a terrific place to visit and to explore.
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 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mongolia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Mongolia.
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Tokyo Prices
Japan PricesUlaanbaatar Prices
Mongolia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTokyo $190Ulaanbaatar $30
The average daily cost (per person) in Tokyo is $190, while the average daily cost in Ulaanbaatar 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 Tokyo and Ulaanbaatar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTokyo $79Ulaanbaatar $11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTokyo $158Ulaanbaatar $22
Compare Hotels in Tokyo and Ulaanbaatar
Looking for a hotel in Tokyo 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: Tokyo Hotel Prices and Ulaanbaatar Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tokyo $18Ulaanbaatar $2.79
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo
Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Tokyo to Narita Airport: $235
- Airport Shuttle Arrival Transfer : from Haneda Airport to Tokyo City: $66
- Airport Transfer between Narita and Tokyo or Disney or Yokohama: $234
- Airport Transfer: Haneda Airport and Tokyo 23 wards: $135
- Center Tokyo Private One Way Transfer To Haneda Airport: $118
- DECKS Tokyo Beach & Odaiba 1 Way Door to Door Shared Transfer: $56
- Departure Private Transfer: Tokyo to Haneda Airport HND in Sedan: $288
- Departure Transfer from Tokyo City to Haneda Airport HND by van: $176
- Disabled-passenger transfer from Haneda Airport to Yokohama Port : $219
- Discount Rate, Airport Shuttle Van Transfer, Haneda ⇔ Narita : $260
- Disneyland or Disneysea Transfer to or from Tokyo English Driver: $20
- Haneda Airport (HND) Private Transfer to Central Tokyo: $121
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ulaanbaatar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ulaanbaatar:
- VIP Airport Transfer-Cadillac Escalade (6 Passengers+6 Luggage): $266
- Airport Private Transfer: $75
- Private Transfer from Ulaanbaatar to or from Terelj National Park: $60
- Transfer service to Terelj national park : $51
- Private Transfer to Ulaanbaatar Airport UBN by private Vehicule: $51
- Private Transfer Ulaanbaatar Airport UBN to Ulaanbaatar City : $51
- Chinggis Khaan Airport (UBN) Private Transfer to Ulaanbaatar City: $47
- New Ulaanbaatar International Airport Transfer Service: $45
- Airport - Ulaanbaatar transfer service: $40
- Private Transfer from Chinggis Khaan Airport to Ulaanbaatar: $38
- Best Price :Terelj National Park Best Non-Guided Transfers: $36
- Private Airport Transfer taxi in Ulaanbaatar: $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Tokyo or Ulaanbaatar?
Prices for flights to both Ulaanbaatar and Tokyo 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 dayTokyo $67Ulaanbaatar $15
Typical Food Prices in Tokyo
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:
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Late Night Noodles$5.41
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Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack$5.41
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Meal at Airport$7.05
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo
For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Tsukiji Food Tour Explore Markets and Temples in Tokyo: $18
- Tokyo Ramen Dojo: Authentic Ramen Cooking Class & Tasting: $34
- Tokyo : Vintage, Music & Food Tour in Shimokitazawa with a Local: $35
- Guided Tsukiji’s Local Food Tour : $35
- For First Time Visitor：Tsukiji Food Tour with Tokyo Travel Advice: $35
- Authentic Homestyle Japanese Cooking Class near Tokyo with Risa: $39
- Tokyo Bay Yakatabune Dinner/Day Cruise with Japan Show and Drinks: $45
- Weekend Japanese Cooking Demonstration with a Tokyo Mom, Toshiko: $49
- Japanese Sushi Cooking Class: $52
- Tokyo private hidden food tour: $55
- Tokyo Sushi Making Experience & Japanese Cooking Class: $62
- Like a local! Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Food tour : $63
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: $182
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tokyo $71Ulaanbaatar $4.24
Tours and Activities in Tokyo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.
- Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre Guided Tour: $3.46
- Imperial Palace or Edo Castle Time Trip Learning Walking Tour: $3.46
- Tokyo 4‑Day Self‑Guided PDF Tour of Senso‑ji, Shibuya and more: $3.46
- Self-Guided Tour of Tokyo's Hidden Alleys: $3.59
- Cross Roppongi Karaoke Nightclub Ticket (For Foreign): $6.76
- Tokyo Metro Subway Ticket: $8.85
- Horse Racing Tour with Local Fans in Tokyo: $10
- Shibuya drinking tour: $10
- Water Bus Ticket Odaiba ↔ Asakusa: $12
- Tokyo Tower Admission Ticket: $12
- Kadokawa Culture Museum Standard Ticket: $12
- Tokyo SkyTree Admission E-Tickets with options: $14
Tours and Activities in Ulaanbaatar
Here are a few actual costs in Ulaanbaatar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Full Day Private Tour in Terelj: $177
- Private Tandem Paragliding Experience at Bayanzurkh Mountain: $100
- 1 Day Chinggis Khaan Statue & Terelj National Park Private tour: $180
- 1 Day City Tour with All-Museum Private Tour With Free Admission: $90
- 1 Day Coach Tour of Genghis Khan Statue Complex and Terelj (FREE dog sledding): $163
- 1 Day Semi-Gobi All-included tour : $146
- 1 Day Terelj Tour from Ulaanbaatar : $250
- 1 Day Tour: Khustai National Park: $206
- 1 Day tour: Khustai National Park: Przewalski's wild horses: $190
- 12 day Great Gobi and Central Mongolia full adventure: $2,100
- 2 Day Local experience by train visit Tunkhel town: $380
- 2 Day Manzushir Temple and Terelj National Park Tour overnight at nomad family: $266
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTokyo $34Ulaanbaatar $3.67
Typical Alcohol Prices in Tokyo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:
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Sake$4.06
Sample the Local Flavors in Tokyo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tokyo:
- 3 Hours Pub Crawl Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $35
- Tokyo Pub Crawl: Unique Japanese Drinks in Shimokitazawa: $38
- 3-Hour Tokyo Pub Crawl Weekly Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $46
- Private Shinjuku Nightlife Walking Tour & Golden-Gai Bar Crawl: $114
- Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and jump into historic town: $118
- Private Sake Tasting at 300 Years Old Sake Brewery in Tokyo : $132
- Sake Brewery and Spiritual Nature Tour in Okutama Tokyo: $142
- Cultural Sake Brewery Private Tour & Unlimited Tasting Near Tokyo: $173
- From Tokyo：Mt.fuji /Museum/Sake brewery/ 1DAY BUS TOUR: $201
- Private tour: Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and riverside walk.: $242
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tokyo and Ulaanbaatar, we can see that Tokyo 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 Tokyo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tokyo 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 Tokyo Expensive? and Is Ulaanbaatar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tokyo or Ulaanbaatar?
Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Ulaanbaatar. When comparing the sizes of Tokyo 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.