Which place is cheaper, Ulaanbaatar or Koyasan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Koyasan or Ulaanbaatar?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Koyasan and Ulaanbaatar. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Koyasan or Ulaanbaatar?
Koyasan
Mount Koya, Japan is a mountain city located just south of Osaka in the Wakayama prefecture. The area is known as the headquarters of the Shingnon sect of Japanese Buddhism and was first settled in 816. Over time, it has developed into the small town of Koya that is now home to a religious studies university and over 100 temples, many of which offer accommodation.
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 The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, The Best Historical Tours in Japan, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mongolia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Mongolia.
-
Koyasan Prices
Japan PricesUlaanbaatar Prices
Mongolia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoyasan $95Ulaanbaatar $30
The average daily cost (per person) in Koyasan is $95, while the average daily cost in Ulaanbaatar is $30. 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 Koyasan and Ulaanbaatar in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoyasan $41Ulaanbaatar $11
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoyasan $82Ulaanbaatar $22
Compare Hotels in Koyasan and Ulaanbaatar
Looking for a hotel in Koyasan 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: Koyasan Hotel Prices and Ulaanbaatar Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koyasan $34Ulaanbaatar $2.79
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ulaanbaatar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ulaanbaatar:
- Airport - Ulaanbaatar transfer service: $40
- Airport Private Transfer: $75
- BEST 5* Chinggis Khaan Airport UBN to Ulaanbaatar Transfer Taxi: $23
- Best Price :Terelj National Park Best Non-Guided Transfers: $36
- Chinggis Khaan Airport (UBN) Private Transfer to Ulaanbaatar City: $47
- New Ulaanbaatar International Airport Transfer Service: $45
- Private Airport Transfer taxi in Ulaanbaatar: $30
- Private Transfer Ulaanbaatar Airport UBN to Ulaanbaatar City : $51
- Private Transfer from Chinggis Khaan Airport to Ulaanbaatar: $38
- Private Transfer from Ulaanbaatar to or from Terelj National Park: $60
- Private Transfer to Ulaanbaatar Airport UBN by private Vehicule: $51
- Transfer service to Terelj national park : $51
Is it cheaper to fly into Koyasan or Ulaanbaatar?
Prices for flights to both Ulaanbaatar and Koyasan 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 dayKoyasan $34Ulaanbaatar $15
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: $182
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koyasan $14Ulaanbaatar $4.24
Tours and Activities in Ulaanbaatar
Here are a few actual costs in Ulaanbaatar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Gobi Cashmere Flagship Store Shopping Tour: $35
- Terelj national park transport /Best price tour: $36
- Private custom walking tour with a local guide: $40
- Secrets of the Mongol Script: 1-Hour Script Experience: $49
- Genghis Khan Tour – Mongolia’s #1 Daily Escape: $50
- Private custom tour with a local guide: $52
- Ulaanbaatar Private Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private): $52
- From UB: Day Tour to Chinggis khaan statue and Terelj NP.: $58
- From Chinggis Khaan Statue and Turtle Rock Day Tour: $59
- Chinggis Khaan Statue and Turtle Rock Day Tour: $59
- Private Tour drive to Chinggis Khan Statue & Terelj National Park: $60
- Full Day Tour of Ulaanbaatar With Museum, Black-market Cashmere Factory Store: $62
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoyasan $5.07Ulaanbaatar $3.67
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koyasan and Ulaanbaatar, we can see that Koyasan 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 Koyasan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koyasan 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 Koyasan Expensive? and Is Ulaanbaatar Expensive?.
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.