A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Singapore vs. Ulaanbaatar for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Singapore or Ulaanbaatar?

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

Should I visit Singapore or Ulaanbaatar? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Singapore or Ulaanbaatar?

Singapore

Singapore is a city-state that was originally founded in 1819 as a British trading colony. Today it is a very international country that is incredibly modern and cosmopolitan. There is a strong financial industry in this country, and a correspondingly strong work ethic. It is one of the most prosperous cities in the world, and has one of the world's busiest ports.

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 Budget Tours to Singapore, The Best Tours for Seniors to Singapore, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mongolia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Mongolia.


Which place is cheaper, Ulaanbaatar or Singapore?

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 Singapore is $179, 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 Singapore and Ulaanbaatar in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Singapore $101
    Ulaanbaatar $11
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Singapore $202
    Ulaanbaatar $22
Compare Hotels in Singapore and Ulaanbaatar

Looking for a hotel in Singapore 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.

Hotels in Singapore


Hotels in Ulaanbaatar


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: Ulaanbaatar Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Singapore $11
    Ulaanbaatar $2.79
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Singapore

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Singapore:


  • Taxi to Airport
    $25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Singapore

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Singapore:

  • 2 Day Mandai Wildlife Reserve Singapore with Roundtrip Transfer : $225
  • 7 Seater Airport / City Transfer Singapore: $68
  • Adventure Cove Waterpark + 1 Way Transfer: $66
  • Airport Transfer: $85
  • Airport Transfer: SIN Airport to Singapore by Luxury Car: $156
  • Airport Transfer: SIN Airport to Singapore by Luxury Van: $119
  • Airport Transfer: Singapore to SIN Airport by Business Car: $101
  • Airport Transfer: Singapore to SIN Airport by Luxury Car: $156
  • Airport Transfer: Singapore to SIN Airport by Luxury Van: $119
  • City Tour+Gardens by the Bay(FlowerDome&JurassicWorld) Transfers: $70
  • City Tour, Flyer or Marina deck, with Guide Roundtrip Transfer: $228
  • Harbourfront Cruise Center, Singapore to Kuala Lumpur Hotel (Door to Door) Transfer: $215

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ulaanbaatar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ulaanbaatar:

  • ULN Airport to Downtown|Hotels Private Transfer: $21
  • BEST 5* Chinggis Khaan Airport UBN to Ulaanbaatar Transfer Taxi: $23
  • Airport Transfer Taxi Shuttle Pick Up: $23
  • Private Airport Transfer taxi in Ulaanbaatar: $30
  • Best Price :Terelj National Park Best Non-Guided Transfers: $36
  • Private Transfer from Chinggis Khaan Airport to Ulaanbaatar: $38
  • Airport - Ulaanbaatar transfer service: $40
  • New Ulaanbaatar International Airport Transfer Service: $45
  • Chinggis Khaan Airport (UBN) Private Transfer to Ulaanbaatar City: $47
  • Private Transfer to Ulaanbaatar Airport UBN by private Vehicule: $51
  • Private Transfer Ulaanbaatar Airport UBN to Ulaanbaatar City : $51
  • Transfer service to Terelj national park : $51

Is it cheaper to fly into Singapore or Ulaanbaatar?

Prices for flights to both Ulaanbaatar and Singapore 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
    Singapore $50
    Ulaanbaatar $15
Typical Food Prices in Singapore

Some typical examples of dining costs in Singapore are as follows:


  • Breakfast
    $4.75
  • Sugarcane Juice
    $1.56

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Singapore

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

  • Secrets of Singapore Kick Scooter Tour with Dinner: $53
  • Chinatown Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $54
  • Secrets of Singapore Kick Scooter Tour with Dinner: $55
  • Singapore Food Tours - Chinatown Complex Hawker: $58
  • Authentic Singapore Street Food Tour: $60
  • Plant-Based Food Tour with Local Guide: $61
  • Hawker Center Street Food Tour with Guide: $68
  • Guided Street Food Tour at Night: $74
  • Local Hawker Food Tour with Tastings: $74
  • Hawker Culture Food Tour and Sightseeing: $75
  • Eat Snap Katong Walking Food Tour: $76
  • Private Korean Cooking Class in Balmoral Road: $78

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.
    Singapore $34
    Ulaanbaatar $4.24

Tours and Activities in Singapore

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

  • Artoholic A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.00
  • Follow the Money: A self-guided audio tour of Singapore's Financial District: $5.00
  • Science Center E-Ticket: $6.43
  • Peranakan Museum Admission Ticket: $6.51
  • The Civic District with Singapore Boy Hossan Leong: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • National Orchid Garden Admission Ticket: $7.65
  • Gardens by the Bay Bundle Entry Ticket: $7.75
  • Indian Heritage Centre Entrance Ticket: $7.75
  • Outdoor Audio Tour at Gardens by the Bay: $8.23
  • BikingSG Best of Take in the sights on a relaxed audio cycling tour: $8.31
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Singapore: $8.36
  • National Orchid Garden Entry Tickets: $8.37

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 day
    Singapore $28
    Ulaanbaatar $3.67

Sample the Local Flavors in Singapore

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

  • Little India Pub Crawl : $24
  • Party Singapore Bespoke Pub Crawl: $30
  • Party Singapore Bespoke Pub Crawl: $31
  • Singapore Pub Crawl - Party like a Local: $39
  • Brass Lion Gin Distillery Tour Ticket: $41
  • LeVeL33 Rooftop Brewery Tour & Craft Beer Tasting: $77
  • LeVeL33 Craft-Brewery Restaurant & Lounge Package: $192


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


Which is Bigger, Singapore or Ulaanbaatar?

Singapore has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Ulaanbaatar. When comparing the sizes of Singapore and Ulaanbaatar, 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.