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

Should you visit Bagan or Picton?

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 Picton can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Bagan or Picton?

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.

Picton

Picton, New Zealand is located in the picturesque Marlborough Region on the South Island. With beachfront access in a central location and near the Marlborough Sounds, Picton is an ideal place for anyone looking for both adventure and relaxation in one of the most naturally beautiful countries in the world.

The weather in Picton is fairly mild, ranging from the low fifties to high sixties, Fahrenheit, throughout the year. Their summer months are December through March, this is when you'll find temperatures in the high sixties. During the winter, June through August, Picton experiences averages of fifty degree Fahrenheit. This means you can visit any time of the year without having to worry about weather inhibiting any of your outdoor activities!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Picton 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 Picton is $101. 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 Picton in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bagan $7.36
    Picton $37
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bagan $15
    Picton $74
Compare Hotels in Bagan and Picton

Looking for a hotel in Bagan or Picton? 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 Picton


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: Picton Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bagan $3.57
    Picton -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Picton

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Picton:

  • Private Transfer from Blenheim Airport (BHE) to Picton Port: $133
  • Private Transfer from Blenheim city hotels to Picton Cruise Port: $120
  • Private Transfer from Picton Cruise Port to Blenheim City Hotels: $121
  • Private Transfer from Picton Port to Blenheim Airport (BHE): $134

Is it cheaper to fly into Bagan or Picton?

Prices for flights to both Picton 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
    Picton $34

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Picton

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

  • CRUISE SHIP DAYS - HOP ON HOP OFF - Wine, Beer, Food Tour: $58

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bagan $57
    Picton $109

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

Tours and Activities in Picton

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Picton are as follows:

  • Skip the Line: Dangerous Skies WWII Exhibition - Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre: $15
  • Discover Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Hinterland Cycling Tour, Havelock: $23
  • Skip the Line:WWI & WWII Combo Exhibitions at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre: $29
  • Kalapathar Sunrise, Birdwatching and Village Tour: $35
  • Picton Shore Excursion: Queen Charlotte Sounds Cruise: $49
  • Picton Shore Excursion Queen Charlotte Sound Cruise: $51
  • Kayaking Mangrove Adventure at Havelock: $56
  • Queen Charlotte Sound: Lochmara Cruise and Explore Day Trip: $57
  • Half-Day Cruise in Marlborough Sounds from Picton: $63
  • Marlborough Sounds and Ship Cove Cruise from Picton: $64
  • Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary and Ship Cove Cruise from Picton: $66

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bagan -
    Picton $34

Sample the Local Flavors in Picton

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Picton:

  • Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour (full day) in the Marlborough Region.: $39
  • Self-Guided Wine Tours by Bike with Lorelle & Greg : $41
  • Marlborough: Hop-On Hop-Off Wine, Brewery, and Wonders Tour: $75
  • Hop on Hop off Wine Tours Marlborough: $77
  • Marlborough Afternoon Wine Tour with Tastings: $77
  • CRUISE SHIP DAY Marlborough Hop On Hop Off Wine Tours: $77
  • Marlborough Half Day Wine Tour From Picton: $92
  • Marlborough Wine Tasting Tour.: $95
  • Half-Day Wine Tour from Blenheim: $95
  • Half-Day Wine Tour from Picton: $95
  • Morning Guided with Afternoon Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour: $101
  • Taste the Valley Wine Tour in Marlborough with Wine Tasting: $101


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bagan and Picton, we can see that Picton is more expensive. And not only is Bagan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bagan is in Asia and Picton is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Picton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Picton 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 Picton Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bagan or Picton?

Picton has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bagan. When comparing the sizes of Bagan and Picton, 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.