A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bagan vs. Hoi An for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bagan or Hoi An?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bagan and Hoi An can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Bagan or Hoi An?

Bagan

Located in central Myanmar (formerly Burma), Bagan is an ancient city best known as the home to the largest and densest concentration of Buddhist temples, pagodas, stupas, and ruins in the world with many dating from the 11th and 12th centuries.

Hoi An

Located just south of the city of Da Nang, Hoi An is famous for it's beautiful old town. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unfortunately, since its designation as a World Heritage Site in 1999, mass tourism has grown and the city has felt the growing pains. Most of the homes and shops in the old town are now used for commercial purposes. The city is still quaint, but the old town is lined with tailor shops, souvenir stores, and restaurants. Foreigners are required to purchase a ticket to enter the old town of Hoi An (120,000 VND, about $5).

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Vietnam, and The Best Historical Tours in Vietnam.


Which place is cheaper, Hoi An or Bagan?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bagan is $34, while the average daily cost in Hoi An is $51. 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 Bagan and Hoi An in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bagan $7.36
    Hoi An $20
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bagan $15
    Hoi An $40
Compare Hotels in Bagan and Hoi An

Looking for a hotel in Bagan or Hoi An? 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 Bagan


Hotels in Hoi An


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: Hoi An Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bagan $3.57
    Hoi An $18

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hoi An

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Hoi An are as follows:


  • Taxi From Danang to Hoi An
    $8.34
  • Bus From Hoi An Bus Station to Town
    $0.57

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hoi An

Also for Hoi An, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Hue Private Car with Driver for Customizable Trip & Transfer: $7.09

Is it cheaper to fly into Bagan or Hoi An?

Prices for flights to both Hoi An and Bagan 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
    Bagan $10
    Hoi An $16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bagan

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bagan.

  • Romantic Sunset Dinner At Bagan Viewing Tower: $91

Typical Food Prices in Hoi An

For Hoi An, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner at Bamboo Village (for Two)
    $13
  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $3.79
  • Casual Dinner (for Two)
    $7.58

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bagan $57
    Hoi An $12

Tours and Activities in Bagan

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

  • Old Bagan Sightseeing Tour: $43
  • Visiting Mount Popa from Bagan - Private Tour: $48

Typical Entertainment Prices in Hoi An

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


  • Golf (for Two)
    $140
  • Short Boat Ride
    $1.52

Tours and Activities in Hoi An

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

  • Hue : Shuttle bus from Hue to Hoi An and sightseeing: $16
  • Hue-Da Nang-Hoi An Bus Tour with English Guide & Sightseeing: $22
  • Hue: Half-Day Tour with Optional Dragon Boat Perfume River: $28
  • Phu Quoc: 3 Islands Snorkeling/ Cable Car Adventure: $45
  • Hoi An Experience 3 Hours Wood Carving Class with Local Artist: $47
  • My Son Sanctuary Private Tour - Early Morning or Half Day Tour: $50
  • My Son - Hoi An Full Day Private Tour With Meals: $75
  • My Son - Danang from Tien Sa cruise harbor: $150
  • Cruiseship Trip from TIEN SA or CHAN MAY Port to MY SON HOLYLAND & HOI AN City: $154
  • Cruiseship Trip from TIEN SA or CHAN MAY Port to MY SON HOLYLAND & DA NANG City: $154
  • Cruiseship Tour to MY SON HOLYLAND - DA NANG CITY From Chan May or Tien Sa Port: $179
  • My Son - Danang from Tien Sa cruise harbor: $180

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bagan -
    Hoi An $8.59

Typical Alcohol Prices in Hoi An

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Hoi An are as follows:


  • Bottle of Wine
    $9.10


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bagan and Hoi An, we can see that Hoi An is more expensive. And not only is Bagan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bagan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bagan 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 Hoi An would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hoi An than you might in Bagan.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bagan Expensive? and Is Hoi An Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bagan or Hoi An?

Hoi An has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Bagan. When comparing the sizes of Bagan and Hoi An, 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.