Which place is cheaper, Bali or Mandalay?
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 Mandalay or Bali?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mandalay or Bali, 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 Bali?
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.
Bali
Known as the "Island of the Gods," it's not difficult to see why the Gods would want to set up shop in Bali. With a beautifully diverse landscape of hills, mountains, coastlines, beaches, vibrant rice fields and volcanic hillsides, you'll easily go into sensory overload.
Bali is home to 4 million people who all hold true to a deeply spiritual and unique culture. With champion surfing, world class resorts and challenging hiking trails, this Indonesian island accommodates travelers from every walk of life. It's often called, "paradise on earth, " and no one disagrees.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia.
-
Mandalay Prices
Myanmar PricesBali Prices
Indonesia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMandalay $19Bali $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandalay is $19, while the average daily cost in Bali is $79. 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 Bali in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMandalay $8.65Bali $37
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMandalay $17Bali $74
Compare Hotels in Mandalay and Bali
Looking for a hotel in Mandalay or Bali? 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: Bali Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mandalay -Bali $8.07
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mandalay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mandalay:
- Private Mandalay Airport Transfer: $27
- Inle [Heho] Airport Private Transfer : $46
- Airport Transfer, Paleik Snake Pagoda, a little bit of Bagan and to AVA: $50
- Mandalay Airport Private Transfer: $55
- Bagan Land Transfer form Mandalay: $103
- Private Land Transfer : Mandalay to Bagan: $139
- Mandalay To Bagan Transfer Tour: $180
- Private Transfer Of Mandalay To Bagan: $180
- Inle Lake Land transfer from Mandalay: $213
- From Mandalay To Kalaw-NyaungShwe-Inle Lake Private Transfer: $230
- 2 Days in Mandalay Region, 3 Night in Monywa and 4 Days to transfer Bagan: $260
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bali
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bali:
-
Motorbike Rental$2.77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bali
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bali:
- Bali Massage with Transfer to International Bali Airport (DPS): $59
- Bali Nusa Dua Combo Parasailing And Snorkeling Include Transfer: $40
- Bali Parasailing Adventure, Sea Walker, Donut Boat with Transfer: $68
- Bali Parasailing Adventure,Banana Boat,Jet Ski and Donut Boat with Transfers: $66
- Bali Quad and Buggy Discovery Tour, Including Round-Trip Transfer: $76
- Bali Sea Walker, Parasailing Adventure, Donut Boat with Transfer: $67
- Bali Spa Treatment with Airport Transfers (Departure): $64
- Bali Ultimate Watersport Package and Optional Transfers: $65
- Batur Volcano Jeep Tour Include Private Transfer: $80
- Denpasar Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $25
- Denpasar Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $25
- Devdan Treasure of the Archipelago Show with Transfer from Bali: $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Mandalay or Bali?
Prices for flights to both Bali 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 dayMandalay $10Bali $32
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 Bali
Some typical examples of dining costs in Bali are as follows:
-
Coffee$1.11
-
Lunch for Two$12
-
Bali Cafe for Two$24
-
Lunch for Two$7.21
-
Lunch for 2$7.99
-
Dinner for 2$8.76
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bali
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bali.
- Best Romantic Seafood Dinner at Jimbaran Beach Sunset: $30
- Romantic Seafood Dinner at Jimbaran beach: $38
- Private Tour Uluwatu Sunset Kecak Dance and Dinner at Jimbaran: $41
- Bali's Best Sunset: Uluwatu Kecak Dance & Dinner Jimbaran Beach: $50
- Kekeb Cooking Class at Nusa Dua: $55
- Spice Garden, Jamu & Cooking Class in Bali Village: $55
- Uluwatu Temple Sunset Tour & Dinner at Jimbaran Bay: $63
- Bali Famous Beach, Kecak Dance, Uluwatu Temple, Sunset, Dinner: $65
- Halfday Private Tour Uluwatu Kecak Dance, Jimbaran Season Dinner: $65
- Highlights Padang - Padang, Melasti Beach & Jimbaran Dinner: $65
- Bali Street Food Tour: $65
- Ubud Slow Afternoon with Balinese Cooking Class: $75
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mandalay -Bali $9.68
Tours and Activities in Mandalay
Here are a few actual costs in Mandalay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- A Little Adventure Village Explore: $17
- Private Full-Day Mandalay Heritage Charter Car Tour: $45
- Mandalay Bike 'n Bite Tour: $45
- U Bein Bridge Sunset Cycling Day Tour from Mandalay: $60
- Adventure to Dee Dote Waterfalls from Mandalay: $63
- Mandalay Half-Day Sightseeing: $65
- Ancient City Tour in Mandalay: $70
- Mandalay Half-Day Tour: $70
- Amarapura,Sagging,Innwa/Ava Sightseeing: $75
- Private Tour for Amarapura, Mingun, Sagaing and Inwa (AVA): $77
- Private Pyin Oo Lwin Day Return Tour: $80
- Mandalay Fullday Sightseeing: $80
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bali
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bali are as follows:
-
Spa for Two$48
-
Snorkelling Trip$11
-
Cooking School$25
Tours and Activities in Bali
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bali are as follows:
- Tickets for the Kecak Dance Performance at Uluwatu Temple: $11
- Kecak and Fire Dance Ticket at Uluwatu Temple: $12
- Skip-the-Line: Uluwatu Kecak Dance Ticket (First Session): $13
- Uluwatu Kecak Tickets A Spectacular Show: $18
- Kanto Lampo Penglipuran Swing Kehen Temple Private Guided Tour: $18
- Best Full Day Of Ubud Private Guided Tour: $19
- Bali Jetski Watersport Nusa Dua Beach Experience: $20
- Skip The Line Tour: Uluwatu Temple and Kecak Fire Dance Tour – Half Day: $20
- Private ATV Quad Bike Guided Adventure in Ubud: $23
- Bali Full Day Uluwatu Highlights Tour: $23
- Ubud Waterfall Swing And Spring Temple Private Guided Tour: $23
- Ultimate Ubud Experience All Inclusive Private Day Tour: $23
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMandalay -Bali $2.86
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandalay and Bali, we can see that Bali is more expensive. And not only is Mandalay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Bali would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bali 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 Bali Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mandalay or Bali?
Mandalay has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bali. When comparing the sizes of Mandalay and Bali, 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.
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.