Which place is cheaper, Bangkok or Mandalay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Mandalay or Bangkok?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mandalay or Bangkok, 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 Bangkok?
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.
Bangkok
Bangkok: a name synonymous with all things exotic. The vibrant and exciting capital of Thailand is not just a hub for Southeast Asia, but also a destination into itself. Known for an active nightlife and party scene, as well as great food, historic temples, and busy markets, Bangkok offers a diversity to entertain even the most experienced travelers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket.
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Mandalay Prices
Myanmar PricesBangkok Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMandalay $12Bangkok $94
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandalay is $12, while the average daily cost in Bangkok is $94. 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 Bangkok in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMandalay $5.60Bangkok $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMandalay $11Bangkok $86
Compare Hotels in Mandalay and Bangkok
Looking for a hotel in Mandalay or Bangkok? 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: Bangkok Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mandalay -Bangkok $6.08
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mandalay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mandalay:
- 2 Days in Mandalay Region, 3 Night in Monywa and 4 Days to transfer Bagan: $260
- Around Mandalay in 2 Day and Next Day to Transfer Bagan: $200
- From Mandalay To Kalaw-NyaungShwe-Inle Lake Private Transfer: $200
- From Private Transfer to Bagan: $150
- Inle Lake Land transfer from Mandalay: $213
- Inle [Heho] Airport Private Transfer : $46
- Mandalay To Bagan Transfer Tour: $150
- Private Land Transfer : Mandalay to Bagan: $139
- Private Mandalay Airport Transfer: $27
- Private Transfer Of Mandalay To Bagan: $150
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bangkok are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk to bus station$2.33
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Skytrain Ticket$4.67
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Chao Phraya River Express Ticket$0.93
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Ferry Ride$0.76
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Taxi From Airport$7.29
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Short Taxi Ride$2.62
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Boat Taxi$1.46
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Trains to airport$4.67
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:
- 3 Temple Bangkok City Tour without Admission Ticket & Transfer: $49
- Airport transfer to Bangkok downtown: $24
- Arrival Private Transfer Bangkok Airport BKK or DMK to Bangkok City Luxury Car: $122
- Arrival Private Transfer Bangkok Airport BKK or DMK to Bangkok City by Minivan: $27
- Arrival Private Transfers from Bangkok Airport BKK to Bangkok in Business Car: $70
- Arrival Private Transfers from Bangkok Airport BKK to Bangkok in Luxury Van: $94
- Arrival Private Transfers: Don Mueang Airport DMK to Bangkok in Business Car: $59
- Arrival Transfer from BKK Airport to Bangkok Hotel: $16
- Ayutthaya: Private transfer from/to Don Muang Airport (DMK): $64
- BANGKOK TRANSFER: Bangkok Airport to Bangkok Hotel + FREE WIFI: $15
- Bangkok Airport (DMK) to Bangkok - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $69
- Bangkok Airport Departure – Private Transfer from Hotel to Airport: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Mandalay or Bangkok?
Prices for flights to both Bangkok 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
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Food Meals for one dayMandalay $6.66Bangkok $33
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
- Bamboo Bike Food Tour: $42
- Bicycle Food Tour in Mandalay: $45
Typical Food Prices in Bangkok
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Bangkok:
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Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe (for Two)$26
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Casual Lunch of Prawns (for Two)$5.83
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2 Rotis (Bread)$1.31
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Mango & Sticky Rice$0.87
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Lunch at KFC (for Two)$5.83
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Pad Thai$2.04
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Airport Lunch for 2$16
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Lunch for 2$22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bangkok.
- White Orchid Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise: $20
- Baiyoke Observation Deck with Lunch/Dinner Buffet: $23
- Chao Phraya Princess Dinner Cruise Ticket: $25
- River Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess: $25
- Unicorn Chao Phraya River Dinner Cruise: $26
- Smile Riverside Dinner Cruise: $26
- Calypso Cabaret Show with Thai Set Dinner: $26
- Chinatown Food Tour with Michelin Star Food Stalls: $27
- Twilight Dinner Cruise Along Chao Phraya River in Bangkok: $27
- 2-Hour Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess: $27
- Alangka Luxury Buffet Dinner Cruise With Live Music: $29
- Chao Phraya Buffet Dinner Viva Alangka Cruise: $29
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mandalay -Bangkok $17
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
- Mandalay Bike 'n Bite Tour: $41
- Private Full-Day Mandalay Heritage Charter Car Tour: $45
- Mandalay Half-Day Tour: $45
- Half-Day Private Tour to Mingun: $48
- Mandalay Half-Day Sightseeing: $53
- Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $53
- Mandalay Full-Day Tour: $60
- Half day to Mandalay city tour: $65
- Private Full-Day Sightseeing Tour: $65
- Mandalay Fullday Sightseeing: $65
- Day Tour Of Mingun/Sagaing/Amarapura: $75
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bangkok
Here are a few typical costs in Bangkok for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Movie Ticket$4.67
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Grand Palace Entrance Ticket$10
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Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket$1.46
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Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)$5.83
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Club Cover Charge$11
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Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)$70
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Fish Pedicure$4.37
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Wat Pho entrance ticket$2.92
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Siriraj Museum (2)$12
Tours and Activities in Bangkok
Here are a few actual costs in Bangkok for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bangkok Chinatown Eats: A Self-guided Audio Tour: $5.13
- Mad Monkey Bangkok City Session - Walking Tour: $5.25
- A Self-Guided Tour of Bangkok's Most Picturesque Sights: $6.99
- Bangkok's Old Town: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Bangkok's Wireless Road: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Wat Arun Self-Guided Walking Tour (entry not incl.): $10
- Skip the Line: Patpong Museum Guided Tour : $10
- Nakhon Pathom Ancient Capital Classic Day Tour: $12
- Erawan Museum in Bangkok Admission Ticket: $13
- Halfday Join Tour The Erawan Museum (Ticket only): $13
- Muang Boran : Thailand's Ancient City of Samut Prakan Admission Ticket: $13
- Bangkok Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha Tour: $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMandalay -Bangkok $6.38
Typical Alcohol Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bangkok are as follows:
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Beer$1.17
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangkok
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bangkok:
- Mad Monkey Bangkok Pub Crawl: $14
- Pub Crawl: $29
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandalay and Bangkok, we can see that Bangkok 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 Bangkok would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bangkok 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 Bangkok Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mandalay or Bangkok?
Bangkok has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Mandalay. When comparing the sizes of Mandalay and Bangkok, 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.