Which place is cheaper, Kuala Lumpur or Yangon?
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 Yangon or Kuala Lumpur?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yangon or Kuala Lumpur, 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: Yangon or Kuala Lumpur?
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.
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as KL, is the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia. It is also the largest city in the country, having grown out of a small Chinese mining village. Today Kuala Lumpur is a microcosm of the country of Malaysia. The population is split between the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures which you can see reflected in the city's neighborhoods, cuisine, and entertainment. It's also a fairly affordable city by global standards, even if you're looking for the comforts of a five star hotel or a luxury restaurant. Prices are almost always a fraction of what you would pay in Europe or the United States.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia.
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Yangon Prices
Myanmar PricesKuala Lumpur Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYangon $70Kuala Lumpur $86
The average daily cost (per person) in Yangon is $70, while the average daily cost in Kuala Lumpur is $86. 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 Yangon and Kuala Lumpur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYangon $31Kuala Lumpur $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYangon $62Kuala Lumpur $86
Compare Hotels in Yangon and Kuala Lumpur
Looking for a hotel in Yangon or Kuala Lumpur? 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: Kuala Lumpur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Yangon $2.38Kuala Lumpur $7.45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Yangon:
- Yangon Airport Private Transfer: $45
- Yangon Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $60
- Private Yangon Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon Airport: $80
- Private Transfer from or to Rangon International Airport (YIA): $30
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon International Airport (RGN): $23
- Private Arrival Transfer: Yangon International Airport (RGN) to Hotel: $23
- Private Airport Transfer: Yangon Airport (RGN) → Yangon Hotel: $35
- Bagan (Nyaung Oo) Airport Private Transfer: $27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$3.69
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Metro Ride (for Two)$0.79
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Short Taxi Ride$3.69
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Taxi From Airport$22
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Bus from Airport$1.97
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Train & Boat to Pulau Ketam$2.95
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Train to Airport$1.20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport Departure Transfer KLIA1/KLIA2: $13
- Kuala Lumpur Airport Private Transfer From or To All Kuala Lumpur: $15
- Exclusive Kuala Lumpur International Airport Transfer: $17
- Private Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $17
- Private Kuala Lumpur Airport Arrival Transfer: $17
- Private: Kuala Lumpur Departure Transfer: $17
- PVT Departure Transfer Kuala Lumpur to KLIA 1/2: $17
- PVT Arrival TransferKLIA 1/2 to Kuala Lumpur: $17
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport Transfer to City Hotels: $17
- Kuala Lumpur City to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Transfer: $18
- Kuala Lumpur Hotel to Airport Transfer: $18
- Kuala Lumpur Airport Arrival Transfer: $18
Is it cheaper to fly into Yangon or Kuala Lumpur?
Prices for flights to both Kuala Lumpur and Yangon 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 dayYangon $17Kuala Lumpur $30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Yangon.
- 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
- Cooking Class in Yangon,Myanmar: $67
Typical Food Prices in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Ding Tai Fung$9.83
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Roti Bread$0.25
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Food Court Lunch$3.54
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Dinner at Indian Restaurant (for Two)$5.28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Night Tour Batu Caves and South Indian Dinner: $20
- From Batu Caves Night Tour + Indian Set Dinner: $28
- Nightlife Street Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $41
- Sambal Street Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $52
- Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $55
- Laksa Lanes Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
- Malaysia Cooking Class With Local (Hands-On!): $60
- Kuala Lumpur Food Tour: $60
- Spiritual Healing and Authentic Cooking with Local Host: $61
- Kuala Selangor Fireflies & Blue Tears Guided Tour w Dinner (SIC): $62
- Kuala Selangor Fireflies Tour Include Seafood Dinner (Free Boat Ride): $65
- 'Kelip Kelip' Fireflies & Batu Caves Tour include Seafood Dinner & Boat Ride: $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yangon -Kuala Lumpur $16
Tours and Activities in Yangon
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yangon are as follows:
- 8hrs - Dalla & Twantay Small Town One Day Tour: $142
- : Memorable Moment in The Heart of Yangon (08:00 AM - 06:00 PM)Full Day Tour: $110
- Adventure Full day visit to Thanlyin (Syriam): $70
- Adventure Half-day visit in Yangon including Shwedagon Pagoda: $78
- An Ancient Wonder of Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda 2D1N Tour (The Golden Rock): $256
- Bagan Cultrue Tour: $50
- Bagan Sightseeing Tour by Private Guide and Car: $42
- Bago Full-Day Private Tour from Yangon: $138
- Bago Full-Day Tour from Yangon: $117
- Bago by Train: Full-day sightseeing tour: $117
- Best Yangon City Tour with Experience English Speaking Guide: $142
- Burmese Antiques Heritage Shopping Tour: $87
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
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KL Tower Admission (for Two)$11
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Canopy Walk at FRIM Forest Reserve$1.23
Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Kuala Lumpur at Your Own Pace: The Complete Self-Guided Tour: $1.14
- Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park Ticket with Unlimited Rides: $5.54
- Genting Highlands Premium Outlets Cable Car Ticket: $6.40
- Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Pass: $7.41
- Kuala Lumpur Half Day City Guided Tour (SIC/Shared Tour): $8.00
- KL Tower Admission E-Ticket with Options: $8.65
- Museum Of Illusions Standard Admission Ticket: $9.88
- Selangor: Zoo Negara E-Ticket: $11
- Aquaria KLCC Entry Ticket: $11
- Malaysia Cruise Tasik Putrajaya: $12
- Kuala Lumpur NU Sentral Breakout Escape Game Entry Ticket: $12
- Kuala Lumpur's Cultural Highlights and Landmarks: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayYangon -Kuala Lumpur $6.80
Typical Alcohol Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yangon and Kuala Lumpur, we can see that Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kuala Lumpur 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 Yangon Expensive? and Is Kuala Lumpur Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yangon or Kuala Lumpur?
Yangon has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kuala Lumpur. When comparing the sizes of Yangon and Kuala Lumpur, 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.