A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ulaanbaatar vs. New Orleans for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ulaanbaatar or New Orleans?

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

Should I visit Ulaanbaatar or New Orleans? 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: Ulaanbaatar or New Orleans?

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.

New Orleans

New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana, and it is a cultural city that is the home of jazz, unique cuisine, and Mardi Gras in the U.S. It was established in 1718 and is one of the oldest cities in the country. The culture of the city has a mix of French, Creole, African American, Caribbean, Irish, Haitian, German and Vietnamese. There's an energy and atmosphere that is unlike any place else.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mongolia, The Best Adventure Tours to Mongolia, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, New Orleans or Ulaanbaatar?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Ulaanbaatar is $25, while the average daily cost in New Orleans is $239. 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 Ulaanbaatar and New Orleans in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ulaanbaatar $12
    New Orleans $125
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ulaanbaatar $24
    New Orleans $250
Compare Hotels in Ulaanbaatar and New Orleans

Looking for a hotel in Ulaanbaatar or New Orleans? 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 Ulaanbaatar


Hotels in New Orleans


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 and New Orleans Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ulaanbaatar $2.91
    New Orleans $51

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ulaanbaatar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ulaanbaatar:

  • Private Transfer to Ulaanbaatar Airport ULN by Business Vehicle: $28
  • Private Transfer from Ulaanbaatar to or from Terelj National Park: $60
  • Private Transfer from Chinggis Khaan Airport to Ulaanbaatar: $37
  • Private Transfer Ulaanbaatar Airport ULN to Ulaanbaatar City : $28
  • Private Departure Transfer: Ulaanbaatar Airport: $40
  • New Ulaanbaatar International Airport Transfer Service: $45
  • Mongolia Airport Transfer & Taxi Service -BEST!: $18
  • Airport transfer service: $50
  • Airport - Ulaanbaatar transfer service: $40
  • 2024 Ulaanbaatar Airport Transfer & Taxi Shuttle Service - Best!: $18

Typical Local Transportation Prices in New Orleans

Some typical examples of transportation costs in New Orleans are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in New Orleans

Also for New Orleans, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • 11 Passenger Executive Van: New Orleans Airport or Hotel Transfer: $197
  • 25 Passenger New Orleans Airport or Hotel Transfer: $300
  • Airport Transfer in New Orleans: $215
  • Boss Be Luxury Airport Transfer From New Orleans: $121
  • Cruise Port to New Orleans L.Armstrong Airport(MSY) - Departure Private Transfer: $75
  • Full-Day Oak Alley Plantation & Large Airboat Swamp w/Transfer: $155
  • Full-Day Whitney Plantation & Large Airboat Swamp Tour w/Transfer: $155
  • Handicap New Orleans Airport or Hotel Transfer: $260
  • NOLA Cruise Port to New Orleans hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
  • NOLA Cruise Port to New Orleans hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $149
  • New Orleans Airport (MSY) to New Orleans - Arrival Transfer : $82
  • New Orleans Airport (MSY) to New Orleans - Round-Trip Transfer : $164

Is it cheaper to fly into Ulaanbaatar or New Orleans?

Prices for flights to both New Orleans and Ulaanbaatar 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
    Ulaanbaatar $8.94
    New Orleans $45

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in New Orleans

For New Orleans, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cajun and Creole Cooking Class with Meal: $38
  • New Orleans Demonstration Cooking Class with Meal: $42
  • Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Jazz Dinner Cruise in New Orleans: $55
  • Evening Jazz Boat Cruise with Optional Dinner: $55
  • Steamboat Natchez Evening Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option: $55
  • French Quarter Food Tour: Signature Flavors of New Orleans: $59
  • The Premier New Orleans Food Tour: $77
  • Taste Of New Orleans Food Tour and Experience: $80
  • Private New Orleans Food Tour of the French Quarter : $85
  • French Quarter Food Tour with Tastings: $89
  • New Orleans' Lower Garden Food Tour: $89
  • Lower Garden District Food Tour: $89

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ulaanbaatar $4.42
    New Orleans $55

Tours and Activities in Ulaanbaatar

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

  • 1 Day Chinggis Khaan Statue & Terelj National Park Private tour: $180
  • 1 Day Coach Tour of Genghis Khan Statue Complex and Terelj National Park Including Lunch: $83
  • 1 Day Coach Tour of Terelj National Park Including Lunch And Free Camel Ride: $83
  • 1 Day Semi-Gobi All-included tour : $141
  • 1 Day Semi-Gobi Tour Including Lunch And Free Camel +Bonus Khustai National Park: $169
  • 1 Day Semi-Gobi Tour Including Lunch And Free Camel or Horseback Ride: $145
  • 1 Day Tour: Terelj National Park And Chinggis Statue: $193
  • 1 Session with Shaman and know your future tour: $149
  • 1 day tour Chinggis khan statue, Terelj national park: $95
  • 12 day Great Gobi and Central Mongolia full adventure: $1,950
  • 2 Day Horse ride and Terelj national park tour: $350
  • 2 Day Local experience by train visit Tunkhel town: $340

Typical Entertainment Prices in New Orleans

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New Orleans's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Zoo & Aquarium Tickets (2)
    $75
  • Riverboat Cruise
    $70
  • French Quarter City Tour
    $100

Tours and Activities in New Orleans

For New Orleans, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Self-Guided Walking Tour French Quarter In New Orleans: $6.75
  • Ghosts of Self-Guided Haunted Audio/App Walking Tour: $6.75
  • Struttin' Down Royal Street Walking Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Struttin' Down Royal Street: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Stories of Faith and Courage: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Metairie Cemetery Stories: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Self Guided Audio Ghost Tour in New Orleans in 6 Languages: $9.00
  • Self Guided Audio Ghost Tour in New Orleans in 6 Languages: $9.00
  • Secret Historical Garden District Audio Tour: $9.99
  • New Orleans Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in New Orleans by 3Quest Challenge: $10
  • Discover Tremé's Soul: A Self-Guided Audio Experience: $11

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ulaanbaatar $3.83
    New Orleans $60

Sample the Local Flavors in New Orleans

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New Orleans:

  • Haunted Pub Crawl In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $13
  • Guided Rum Distillery Tour and Tasting: $15
  • Guided Distillery Tour & Rum Tasting: $15
  • New Orleans Distillery Tour and Rum Tasting with Guide: $15
  • Private New Orleans Seafood Bar Crawl: $15
  • Spooky Ghost and Haunted Pub Crawl Tour: $17
  • New Orleans Small-Group History Tour Pub Crawl of The Irish Channel: $25
  • Haunted Pub Crawl in New Orleans: $26
  • Adults Only True Crime Pub Crawl: $27
  • New Orleans Bar Crawl: $28
  • True Crime Pub Crawl in New Orleans: $30
  • Haunted Pub Crawl: $30


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ulaanbaatar and New Orleans, we can see that New Orleans is more expensive. And not only is Ulaanbaatar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ulaanbaatar is in Asia and New Orleans is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 New Orleans would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New Orleans 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 Ulaanbaatar Expensive? and Is New Orleans Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ulaanbaatar or New Orleans?

Ulaanbaatar has a larger population, and is about 74% larger than the population of New Orleans. When comparing the sizes of Ulaanbaatar and New Orleans, 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.