Which place is cheaper, Sapa or Yangon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Yangon or Sapa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yangon or Sapa, 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 Sapa?
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.
Sapa
Sapa is a beautiful town in the northern mountains of Vietnam by the border with China. Many travelers pass through the area on their way from China into Hanoi. Alternatively, some travelers head north from Hanoi to spend a few days in the beautiful mountains where tribal cultures are still alive and well. There are a good number of ethnic minorities that populate the area. The eight populations in the area include H'mong, Dao, Tay, Giay, Muong, Thai, Hoa, and Xa Pho, but the vast majority in the area are H'mong. Within the town of Sapa itself, there are about 7,000 people. The rest of the population lives in the surrounding countryside and are peasant farmers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Vietnam, and The Best Adventure Tours to Vietnam.
-
Yangon Prices
Myanmar PricesSapa Prices
Vietnam Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYangon $70Sapa $45
The average daily cost (per person) in Yangon is $70, while the average daily cost in Sapa is $45. 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 Sapa in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYangon $31Sapa $11
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYangon $62Sapa $22
Compare Hotels in Yangon and Sapa
Looking for a hotel in Yangon or Sapa? 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: Sapa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Yangon $2.38Sapa $8.93
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Yangon:
- Private Yangon Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon Airport: $80
- Yangon Airport Private Arrival Transfer : $60
- Yangon Airport Private Transfer : $45
- Private Transfer from or to Rangon International Airport (YIA): $32
- Bagan (Nyaung Oo) Airport Private Transfer : $27
- Private Arrival Transfer: Yangon International Airport (RGN) to Hotel: $23
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon International Airport (RGN): $23
- Private Airport Transfer at Yangon Airport to Center of Yangon: $23
- Private Arrival Transfer: Bagan Nyaung-U Airport (NYU) to Hotel: $14
- Bagan Airport Transfer with Private Car: $13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sapa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Sapa are as follows:
-
Short Motorbike Ride$1.14
Is it cheaper to fly into Yangon or Sapa?
Prices for flights to both Sapa 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
-
Food Meals for one dayYangon $17Sapa $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Yangon.
- Morning Yangon Food Tour: $24
- Yangon Street Food Tours: $28
- Yangon morning food tour with train ride : $45
- 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
Typical Food Prices in Sapa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Sapa:
-
Casual Dinner (for One)$2.58
-
Quick Breakfast (for Two)$2.08
-
Coffee (for Two)$2.27
-
Western Dinner (for Two)$7.55
-
Pho Soup$0.57
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yangon -Sapa $5.82
Tours and Activities in Yangon
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yangon are as follows:
- 3-day Yangon Sightseeing & Shopping : $296
- 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: $82
- Adventure Day Trip to Bago : $140
- Adventure Full day visit in Yangon : $116
- Adventure Full day visit to Thanlyin (Syriam): $70
- Adventure Half-day visit in Yangon : $72
- 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
- Bagan Temples Tour by Private car and Tour guide.: $46
- Bago Full-Day Private Tour from Yangon: $138
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sapa
For Sapa, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
CatCat Village Tax$1.52
-
Ta Phin Village Tax$0.76
-
Walking Stick$0.19
-
Paddle Boat Rental on Sapa Lake (1 Hr)$3.03
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayYangon -Sapa $7.76
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sapa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Sapa are as follows:
-
Two Beers$0.95
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yangon and Sapa, we can see that Yangon is more expensive. And not only is Sapa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sapa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sapa 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 Yangon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yangon than you might in Sapa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yangon Expensive? and Is Sapa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yangon or Sapa?
Yangon has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Sapa. When comparing the sizes of Yangon and Sapa, 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.