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

Should you visit Bagan or Nakhon Ratchasima?

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 Nakhon Ratchasima can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Bagan or Nakhon Ratchasima?

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.

Nakhon Ratchasima

If you're planning on traveling from Bangkok to Isaan, you'll likely make Nakhon Ratchasima your pit stop or home base. However, there is so much more to this sprawling metropolis than just a layover. Underneath the chaos of it all, is a charming and traditional Thai city.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Nakhon Ratchasima 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 Nakhon Ratchasima is $58. 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 Nakhon Ratchasima in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bagan $7.36
    Nakhon Ratchasima $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bagan $15
    Nakhon Ratchasima $44
Compare Hotels in Bagan and Nakhon Ratchasima

Looking for a hotel in Bagan or Nakhon Ratchasima? 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 Nakhon Ratchasima


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: Nakhon Ratchasima Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bagan $3.57
    Nakhon Ratchasima $5.19

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nakhon Ratchasima

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Nakhon Ratchasima:


  • Tuk Tuk
    $1.57
  • Bus to Vientiane
    $1.57

Is it cheaper to fly into Bagan or Nakhon Ratchasima?

Prices for flights to both Nakhon Ratchasima 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
    Nakhon Ratchasima $30

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bagan $57
    Nakhon Ratchasima $6.68

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bagan -
    Nakhon Ratchasima $12


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bagan and Nakhon Ratchasima, we can see that Nakhon Ratchasima 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 Nakhon Ratchasima would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nakhon Ratchasima 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 Nakhon Ratchasima Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bagan or Nakhon Ratchasima?

Bagan has a larger population, and is about 300 times larger than the population of Nakhon Ratchasima. When comparing the sizes of Bagan and Nakhon Ratchasima, 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.