A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mandalay vs. Auckland for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mandalay or Auckland?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mandalay or Auckland, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Mandalay or Auckland?

Mandalay

Located in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) on the banks of the Irawaddy River, Mandalay is the nation's second largest city behind Yangon. It is centered on the restored Royal Palace and has a large population of Buddhist monks who frequent the city's many temples and monasteries.

Auckland

Auckland is located on the North Island of New Zealand on an isthmus between the Northland Peninsula and the other parts of the North Island. Auckland is not only a city but also a region. In 2010 New Zealand combined what had previously been four separate cities into one region. These cities include the southern city of Manukau, the western city of Waitakere, the North Shore in the north, and Auckland City. The City of Auckland is the largest city in Polynesia and is very diverse with many expatriates from elsewhere in Polynesia. This diversity becomes most apparent in Auckland's many festivals and sporting events.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Auckland or Mandalay?

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 Mandalay is $19, while the average daily cost in Auckland is $169. 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 Mandalay and Auckland in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mandalay $8.65
    Auckland $98
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mandalay $17
    Auckland $196
Compare Hotels in Mandalay and Auckland

Looking for a hotel in Mandalay or Auckland? 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 Mandalay


Hotels in Auckland


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: Auckland Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mandalay -
    Auckland $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mandalay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mandalay:

  • Private Mandalay Airport Transfer: $27
  • Private Land Transfer : Mandalay to Bagan: $139
  • Mandalay Airport Private Transfer: $55
  • Inle [Heho] Airport Private Transfer : $46
  • From Mandalay To Kalaw-NyaungShwe-Inle Lake Private Transfer: $230
  • Bagan Land Transfer form Mandalay: $103
  • Around Mandalay in 2 Day and Next Day to Transfer Bagan: $200

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Auckland

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


  • Bus from Airport
    $9.41
  • Airport Shuttle
    $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Auckland

Also for Auckland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Transfer: Auckland Airport AKL to Auckland by Sedan Car: $88
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Auckland Airport AKL to Auckland in Business Car: $93
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Auckland Airport AKL to Auckland City by Luxury Van: $112
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Auckland Airport AKL to Auckland City by Sedan Car: $88
  • Arrival Transfer: Auckland Airport to Auckland Central City Centre: $25
  • Auckland Airport (AKL) to Auckland - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $162
  • Auckland Airport (AKL) to North Shore - Arrival Private Transfer: $108
  • Auckland Airport (AKL) to North Shore-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $216
  • Auckland Airport Arrival Transfer to North Shore or Henderson: $127
  • Auckland Airport Luxury Shuttle - Private Transfers: $173
  • Auckland Airport Premium Private Golf Transfer To Te Arai Links: $299
  • Auckland Airport Private One-Way or Round-Trip Transfer: $69

Is it cheaper to fly into Mandalay or Auckland?

Prices for flights to both Auckland and Mandalay 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
    Mandalay $10
    Auckland $45

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mandalay

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

  • Myanmar traditional cooking class with local: $26
  • Bicycle Food Tour in Mandalay: $45

Typical Food Prices in Auckland

For Auckland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Breakfast
    $4.71

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Auckland

For Auckland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Harbour Sailing Cruise with 3-Course Dinner: $93
  • Flavours of the City Walking Food Tour: $101
  • Auckland Harbour Sailboat Cruise Including Three Course Dinner: $102
  • Auckland Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $116
  • Auckland Downtown Food Tour with 5 Locals Favorite Dishes: $129
  • Ponsonby Road Food Tour in Auckland: $140
  • Waiheke Island: Private Sunset Wine Tour & 2 Course Dinner: $392
  • Māori Evening Dinner and Private Show Experience: $519
  • From Kiwi Bird Encounter & 3-Course Dinner Tour: $550

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mandalay -
    Auckland $27

Tours and Activities in Mandalay

Here are a few actual costs in Mandalay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Kayah Villages Full Day Tour (Pan Pet & Hta Nee La): $260
  • 1-night in Pyin Oo Lwin next day to Gokteik tour: $226
  • 2 Days Private Tour in Mandalay: $176
  • A Little Adventure Village Explore: $17
  • Adventure to Dee Dote Waterfalls from Mandalay: $63
  • Amarapura,Sagging,Innwa/Ava Sightseeing: $75
  • Ancient City Tour in Mandalay: $70
  • Around Mandalay Tour in 2 Days: $100
  • Day Trip Tour From Mandalay To Pyin Oo Lwin: $130
  • Full Day Adventure: $153
  • Half day to Mandalay city tour: $88
  • Half day tour to Amapura: $88

Typical Entertainment Prices in Auckland

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Auckland's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Auckland Sky Tour (for 2)
    $32
  • Waiheke Island Tour (for 2)
    $119

Tours and Activities in Auckland

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

  • Auckland to Volcanoes: North Island Self-Guided Adventure: $1.15
  • Auckland War Memorial Museum Entry Ticket: $9.27
  • Auckland City Self Guided Walking Tour with an APP: $9.99
  • Maritime Museum Entry Ticket and Guided Tour: $14
  • Maritime Museum Entry Ticket: $14
  • A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Auckland's Hidden Stories: $15
  • Skip the Line: Auckland Museum General Admission Ticket: $16
  • Vibrosaun Therapy Experience: $18
  • Waitematā Harbour Cruise with Live Commentary: $20
  • Scenic Harbour Cruise in Auckland: $22
  • Auckland Takapuna: Escape Game Adventure: $23
  • Auckland Sunset Harbour Cruise: $24

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mandalay -
    Auckland $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Auckland

Also in Auckland, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Auckland Coastal Brewery Kayak Tour: $71
  • Waiheke Island: Scenic Island Wine Tour & Local Wine Tasting: $110
  • Muriwai GANNET Colony & Wine Tasting - Half Day Tour Ex Auckland: $117
  • Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour in Auckland with 3-Course Vineyard Lunch: $119
  • Ultimate Auckland Experience Full Day Tour with Brewery Lunch: $149
  • Waiheke Island: The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour: $159
  • Waiheke Island: Wine Tour & Lunch at Award Winning Venue: $168
  • Piha Waitakere Rainforest Wine Tour from Auckland: $176
  • From Small Group Kumeu Wine Tour with Lunch: $180
  • Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour with Platter Lunch: $183
  • City Tour with Wine Tasting and Black Sand Beach: $217
  • Auckland City Tour & Kumeu Wine Country Includes Wine Tastings & Lunch: $239


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandalay and Auckland, we can see that Auckland is more expensive. And not only is Mandalay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mandalay is in Asia and Auckland 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 Mandalay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mandalay 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 Auckland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Auckland than you might in Mandalay.

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


Which is Bigger, Mandalay or Auckland?

Mandalay has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Auckland. When comparing the sizes of Mandalay and Auckland, 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.