Which place is cheaper, Chongqing 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 Chongqing?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mandalay or Chongqing, 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 Chongqing?
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.
Chongqing
Chongqing, China is a large city in central China and one of only four cities in the country that are not part of a province. While Chongqing is famous for being an economically important city, brush away its industrial surface and you'll find a naturally beautiful city with plenty of hidden wonders. Although you'll find many expats in the city, English is rarely spoken, meaning knowing some basic Mandarin will come in handy.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.
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Mandalay Prices
Myanmar PricesChongqing Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMandalay $19Chongqing $113
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandalay is $19, while the average daily cost in Chongqing is $113. 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 Chongqing in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMandalay $8.65Chongqing $53
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMandalay $17Chongqing $106
Compare Hotels in Mandalay and Chongqing
Looking for a hotel in Mandalay or Chongqing? 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: Chongqing Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mandalay -Chongqing $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mandalay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mandalay:
- Airport Transfer, Paleik Snake Pagoda, a little bit of Bagan and to AVA: $50
- Bagan Land Transfer form Mandalay: $103
- From Mandalay To Kalaw-NyaungShwe-Inle Lake Private Transfer: $230
- Inle Lake Land transfer from Mandalay: $213
- Inle [Heho] Airport Private Transfer : $46
- Mandalay Airport Private Transfer: $55
- Private Land Transfer : Mandalay to Bagan: $139
- Private Mandalay Airport Transfer: $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chongqing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chongqing:
- Chongqing Airport & Rail Transfer to City Hotel: $23
- Chongqing Airport Meet and Greet with Private Transfer: $35
- Chongqing Airport Private Transfer: $22
- Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG) private round-trip transfer: $25
- Chongqing Jiangbei Airport Chauffeur Service, Chongqing Airport Transfer, Pickup: $60
- Chongqing Private Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $88
- Chongqing Private Arrival Transfer: Railway Station to Hotel: $88
- Chongqing Private Transfer Airport Train Station Hotel Luxury Car: $10
- 5-Day Private Tour with Hotel & Transfers: $497
- Jiangbei International Airport Transfer 24h Services: $56
- Wulong 3-Day Tour with Hotel & Transfers: $497
- Wulong 5-Day Tour with Hotel & Transfers: $687
Is it cheaper to fly into Mandalay or Chongqing?
Prices for flights to both Chongqing 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 $10Chongqing $46
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chongqing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chongqing.
- Qingyu Banquet Experience with Show and Dinner: $51
- Half-Day Cultural Immersion with Cooking Class: $80
- Be a Chongqinger - wet market tour &cooking class & paper cutting: $89
- Food Tour with Old Town and Magical Night Views: $93
- Chongqing Food Tour: $93
- Private Food Tour and Magical Night View: $107
- Chongqing Cyberpunk City Night Tour Including Dinner: $140
- Chongqing Liangjiang Night Cruise Including Authentic Hot Pot Dinner: $183
- Private Chongqing Night View Tour with Hot Pot or Local Dinner: $199
- From Port Transfer with Half Day Tour and Hot Pot Dinner: $246
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mandalay -Chongqing $14
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 Tour in Mandalay and Amarapura: $41
- Mandalay Bike 'n Bite Tour: $44
- Private Full-Day Mandalay Heritage Charter Car Tour: $45
- Adventure to Dee Dote Waterfalls from Mandalay: $63
- Mandalay Half-Day Sightseeing: $65
- One Day Tour Of Mandalay,Sagaing,Innwa,Amarapura: $70
- Mandalay Half-Day Tour: $70
- Ancient City Tour in Mandalay: $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
Tours and Activities in Chongqing
Here are a few actual costs in Chongqing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Wulong Private Tour All Inclusive: Premium Vehicle & local Lunch: $10
- Premium Chongqing Private Tours: Highlights, Night View or Cruise: $10
- Chongqing Cloud Eye Observation Deck Ticket: $12
- 520m-high Eye Skyview Deck Ticket for Adult: $26
- Chongqing 1949 Immersive Theatre Show Ticket: $33
- Two Rivers Night Cruise- Yangtze & Jialing Rivers: $40
- Chongqing 1949 Ticket Epic Historical Spectacle: $41
- Chongqing 1949 Grand Theater Immersive Show Ticket: $43
- Chongqing Motorcycle Tour-Neon Glide Riverlight Rider: $50
- Chongqing Night Cruise Old Street and Scenic Drive Tour: $52
- VIP Two Rivers Night Cruise Ticket With Live Show: $56
- Chong Qing : 1949 theater historical Show Ticket: $59
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMandalay -Chongqing $7.47
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandalay and Chongqing, we can see that Chongqing 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 Chongqing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chongqing 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 Chongqing Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mandalay or Chongqing?
Chongqing has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Mandalay. When comparing the sizes of Mandalay and Chongqing, 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.