Which place is cheaper, Can Tho 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 Can Tho?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mandalay or Can Tho, 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 Can Tho?
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.
Can Tho
Can Tho is the largest city of Vietnam's Mekong Delta, and is best known for its canal network of floating markets, restaurants, bars, and hotels, Buddhist pagodas, and the beauty of the delta, which is illuminated in the evenings.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Hanoi.
-
Mandalay Prices
Myanmar PricesCan Tho Prices
Vietnam Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMandalay $19Can Tho $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandalay is $19, while the average daily cost in Can Tho is $66. 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 Can Tho in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMandalay $8.65Can Tho $26
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMandalay $17Can Tho $52
Compare Hotels in Mandalay and Can Tho
Looking for a hotel in Mandalay or Can Tho? 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: Can Tho Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mandalay -Can Tho $12
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
- From Mandalay To Kalaw-NyaungShwe-Inle Lake Private Transfer: $200
- Around Mandalay in 2 Day and Next Day to Transfer Bagan: $200
- Mandalay To Bagan Transfer Tour: $150
- Private Transfer Of Mandalay To Bagan: $150
- Private Land Transfer : Mandalay to Bagan: $139
- Bagan Land Transfer form Mandalay: $103
- Mandalay Airport Private Transfer : $55
- Inle [Heho] Airport Private Transfer : $46
- Private Mandalay Airport Transfer: $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Can Tho
Also for Can Tho, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Can Tho To Ho Chi Minh Private Car Transfer: $75
- Private Transfer from Can Tho Airport to Hotel: $30
- From 3-Day Nam Du Archipelago Tour with Transfers: $278
- PRIVATE CAR: Can Tho AIRPORT <=> CanTho Hotels (one way transfer): $30
- Private Transfer from Can Tho (VCA) Airport to Can Tho City: $135
- Private Transfer from Can Tho City to Can Tho (VCA) Airport: $51
- Private Transfer from Can Tho City to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport: $123
- Private Transfer: Can Tho Airport - Can Tho City Center: $35
- Private Transfer: Can Tho Airport to/from Can Tho City Center: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Mandalay or Can Tho?
Prices for flights to both Can Tho 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 $10Can Tho $28
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 Can Tho
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Can Tho:
-
Restaurant Dinner (for Two)$4.93
-
Coconut$0.27
-
Mango$1.02
-
Hot Pot Dinner (for Two)$6.60
-
Two Vietnamese Iced Coffees$0.61
-
Casual Lunch (for One)$2.65
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Can Tho
For Can Tho, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Floating Market, Canals, Garden & Cooking Class: $24
- Premium Can Tho Food Tour – “Wrap & Roll”: $29
- Boat tour on Mekong river see the sunset, small canal, Vegan dinner, street food: $29
- Biking and Cooking Class in Can Tho Rural: $32
- Explore Can Tho City tour combine Local Food tour - in afternoon: $35
- Biking and cooking class in the rural tour at Can Tho: $36
- Can Tho food tour voted by local - Vegan option is available: $38
- Street food tour back of the bike in Can Tho: $39
- Authentic Vietnamese Cooking Class in Can Tho: $39
- Walking street food tour designed by local chef: $41
- Vietnamese Cooking Class with Lunch: $48
- Cooking Class - Flavors of the Delta: $52
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mandalay -Can Tho $16
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
- 2 Days Private Tour in Mandalay: $176
- A Little Adventure Village Explore: $17
- Adventure to Dee Dote Waterfalls from Mandalay: $63
- Amarapura,Mingun,Sagaing,Innwa Sightseeing Tour: $85
- Amarapura,Sagaing,Innwa Sightseeing Tour: $75
- Amarapura,Sagging,Innwa/Ava Sightseeing : $75
- Ancient Cities, Pagodas, and Sunset Tour from Mandalay: $194
- Day Tour Of Mingun/Sagaing/Amarapura: $75
- Day Trip Tour From Mandalay To Pyin Oo Lwin: $105
- Full Day Adventure: $153
- Full Day Mandalay Tour: $130
Typical Entertainment Prices in Can Tho
For Can Tho, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Sunset Boat Ride$1.90
-
Half Day Floating Market Tour$7.96
Tours and Activities in Can Tho
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Can Tho.
- Immersed in Fruit Garden 2-hour Tour: $9.52
- Evening Walking Tour with Night Market Visit: $12
- Cai Rang Floating Market and Bike Tour: $23
- University Tour with Tasting & Sightseeing in CT: $24
- A Real Mekong Tour, Floating Market, Cacao & Life's: $24
- Cai Rang Floating Market Sunrise Tour: $25
- Floating Market & Hidden Canals – Small Group Morning Boat Tour: $25
- Can Tho Countryside Bike Tour with Fruit Garden Visit: $30
- Mekong Delta and Cai Rang Floating Market 5-Hours Tour: $30
- Victoria Sunset Cruise on Hau River: $35
- Group Tour: Floating Market, Rice Noodle Factory & Cacao …: $35
- Mekong Delta and Cai Rang Floating Market Tour: $36
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMandalay -Can Tho $6.26
Typical Alcohol Prices in Can Tho
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Can Tho from other travelers:
-
Beer$3.03
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandalay and Can Tho, we can see that Can Tho 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 Can Tho would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Can Tho 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 Can Tho Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mandalay or Can Tho?
Mandalay has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Can Tho. When comparing the sizes of Mandalay and Can Tho, 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.