A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bangalore vs. Sapa for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bangalore or Sapa?

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 Bangalore and Sapa can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Bangalore or Sapa?

Bangalore

Bangalore is the capital city of the state of Karnataka, in India. It's also India's third largest city with a population of about 8.5 million. It's considered one of the most liveable cities in the country and was historically known for its many gardens and lush green spaces. Today those areas are all but gone, having given way to the growing population and sprawling metropolises. Bangalore is also the information technology hub of the country and is sometimes referred to as India's Silicon Valley.

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 Yoga Tours and Retreats in India, The Best Luxury Tours to India, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Vietnam, and The Best Adventure Tours to Vietnam.


Which place is cheaper, Sapa or Bangalore?

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 Bangalore is $51, 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 Bangalore and Sapa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bangalore $19
    Sapa $11
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bangalore $38
    Sapa $22
Compare Hotels in Bangalore and Sapa

Looking for a hotel in Bangalore 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.

Hotels in Bangalore


Hotels in Sapa


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.
    Bangalore $9.20
    Sapa $8.93

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 Bangalore or Sapa?

Prices for flights to both Sapa and Bangalore 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
    Bangalore $21
    Sapa $27

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.
    Bangalore $10
    Sapa $5.82

Tours and Activities in Bangalore

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

  • From Delhi: Sunrise Taj Mahal, Baby Taj & Agra Fort Day Tour: $5.64
  • From Delhi: Taj Mahal Sunrise, Agra Fort, and Baby Taj Tour: $24
  • Taj Mahal and Agra Private Tour with free Airport pickup: $57

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 day
    Bangalore $8.61
    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 comparing the travel costs between Bangalore and Sapa, we can see that Bangalore is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Bangalore or Sapa?

Bangalore has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Sapa. When comparing the sizes of Bangalore 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.