Which place is cheaper, Ulaanbaatar or Yangon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Yangon or Ulaanbaatar?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yangon or Ulaanbaatar, 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 Ulaanbaatar?
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.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mongolia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Mongolia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYangon $63Ulaanbaatar $25
The average daily cost (per person) in Yangon is $63, while the average daily cost in Ulaanbaatar is $25. 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 Ulaanbaatar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYangon $31Ulaanbaatar $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYangon $62Ulaanbaatar $24
Compare Hotels in Yangon and Ulaanbaatar
Looking for a hotel in Yangon 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: Ulaanbaatar Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Yangon $2.38Ulaanbaatar $2.91
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Yangon:
- Bagan (Nyaung Oo) Airport Private Transfer : $8.54
- Bagan Airport Transfer with Private Car: $13
- Private Airport Transfer at Yangon Airport to Center of Yangon: $23
- Private Arrival Transfer: Bagan Nyaung-U Airport (NYU) to Hotel: $14
- Private Arrival Transfer: Yangon International Airport (RGN) to Hotel: $23
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon International Airport (RGN): $23
- Private Yangon Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon Airport: $40
- Yangon Airport (RGN): Private Transfer to/from Yangon City: $41
- Yangon Airport Private Arrival Transfer : $20
- Yangon Airport Private Transfer : $27
- Private Hotel Transfers to or from YIA Airport: $24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ulaanbaatar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ulaanbaatar:
- 2024 Ulaanbaatar Airport Transfer & Taxi Shuttle Service - Best!: $18
- Mongolia Airport Transfer & Taxi Service -BEST!: $18
- Private Transfer Ulaanbaatar Airport ULN to Ulaanbaatar City : $28
- Private Transfer to Ulaanbaatar Airport ULN by Business Vehicle: $28
- Private Transfer from Chinggis Khaan Airport to Ulaanbaatar: $37
- Private Departure Transfer: Ulaanbaatar Airport: $40
- New Ulaanbaatar International Airport Transfer Service: $45
- Airport transfer service: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Yangon or Ulaanbaatar?
Prices for flights to both Ulaanbaatar 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 $9.70Ulaanbaatar $8.94
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 Evening Food Tour and trishaw ride: $26
- Yangon morning food tour with train ride : $27
- Yangon Street Food Tours: $28
- Cooking class in the down town of Yangon, half day tour (07:30 AM - 12:30 PM): $65
- Cooking Class in Yangon,Myanmar: $67
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
- Farm to Table: Organic Farm Visit and Mongolian Cooking Class: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yangon -Ulaanbaatar $4.42
Tours and Activities in Yangon
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yangon are as follows:
- Bus Ticket ( Yangon - Mandalay): $21
- Morning Eat, Walk & Ride Tour: $25
- Walking Tour in Downtown Yangon: $25
- Yangon Dala Discovery Tour on Bamboo Bicycles: $32
- Half-Day Spiritual Shwedagon Pagoda Join in Tour in Yangon: $33
- Yangon Full Day City Tour: $38
- Yangon City Tour With English Speaking Driver: $40
- Yangon Group Street Food & Walking Tour: $40
- Bagan Sightseeing Tour by Private Guide and Car: $42
- Yangon Evening Street Food and Market Walking Tour: $44
- One Bagan Sightseeing Tour: $45
- Bagan Temples Tour by Private car and Tour guide.: $46
Tours and Activities in Ulaanbaatar
Here are a few actual costs in Ulaanbaatar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private custom tour with a local guide: $47
- Ulaanbatar : Private Custom Tour With A Local Guide : $48
- Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex and Sain Nomun Monastery Tour : $50
- Genghis Khan Statue Tour: 3-Hour Ticket Included: $65
- Genghis Khan Statue Tour: 3-Hour Ticket Included: $65
- Traditional Music and Dance Performance Ticket: $69
- Genghis Khan Statue One Day Tour +Bonus Terelj National Park And Aryabal Temple: $79
- Ancient Fine Arts with Honored Masters - UB City Experience: $82
- 1 Day Coach Tour of Terelj National Park Including Lunch And Free Camel Ride: $83
- Day Tour of Hustai National Park: $83
- 1 Day Coach Tour of Genghis Khan Statue Complex and Terelj National Park Including Lunch: $83
- Day Tour to Terelj Park Chinggs khaan statue, Zaisan Hill: $86
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayYangon -Ulaanbaatar $3.83
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yangon and Ulaanbaatar, we can see that Yangon 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 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 Ulaanbaatar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yangon Expensive? and Is Ulaanbaatar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yangon or Ulaanbaatar?
Yangon has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Ulaanbaatar. When comparing the sizes of Yangon 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.