Which place is cheaper, Da Nang or Mandalay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mandalay or Da Nang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mandalay or Da Nang, 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 Da Nang?
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.
Da Nang
Halfway between Ho Chi Minh City in the south and Hanoi in the North is the easy-going beach city of Da Nang (or Danang, for some). The third most populated city in Vietnam, Da Nang draws in crowds with its beautiful and calm beaches as well as its history as a French colonial port.
With beaches, mountains, and cityscape, there's bound to be a point of interest for all travelers. Da Nang is also a transit hub to get to the four Vietnamese UNESCO World heritage sites: Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, Hue, Hoi An, and My Son.
Da Nang experiences wet season from September through March and dry season from April through August with average temperatures of around 80℉.
Da Nang is also known to have some of the friendliest locals, probably due to the peace and quiet and lack of heavy traffic, even in the city.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Vietnam, and The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMandalay $15Da Nang $46
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandalay is $15, while the average daily cost in Da Nang is $46. 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 Da Nang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMandalay $8.65Da Nang $19
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMandalay $17Da Nang $38
Compare Hotels in Mandalay and Da Nang
Looking for a hotel in Mandalay or Da Nang? 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: Da Nang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mandalay -Da Nang $11
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
- Private Land Transfer : Mandalay to Bagan: $139
- Mandalay To Bagan Transfer Tour: $150
- Private Transfer Of Mandalay To Bagan: $150
- From Private Transfer to Bagan: $150
- Around Mandalay in 2 Day and Next Day to Transfer Bagan: $200
- Inle Lake Land transfer from Mandalay: $213
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Da Nang
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Da Nang:
- Private Transfer to Ba Na Hills - Golden Bridge & Hoi An City : $78
- Afternoon private transfer from Da Nang city to Golden Bridge in the theme park: $44
- Airport Transfer: Da Nang Airport and Hoi An City: $15
- Airport pick up and transfer from Danang airport to Hoian: $29
- Asia Park - Sun World Da Nang Wonders Theme Park Ticket With Round Trip Transfer: $26
- Ba Na Hills Golden Bridge Private Car Transfer from Da Nang: $38
- Charter Limousine DCar RoundTrip Transfer Da Nang Hoi An Hue : $219
- DA NANG AIRPORT To Da Nang Hotel by PRIVATE TRANSFER: $10
- Da Nang Airport Arrival Or Departure Luxury Car Transfers: $11
- Da Nang Airport Arrival Or Departure Luxury Car Transfers: $7.39
- Da Nang Airport Arrival Private Transfer: $25
- Da Nang Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $10
Is it cheaper to fly into Mandalay or Da Nang?
Prices for flights to both Da Nang 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 $5.95Da Nang $16
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 Da Nang
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Da Nang.
- Dragon bridge show and Da Nang local food tour: $4.10
- Home Cooking Class: $22
- Vegetarian Cooking class and Basket Boat Riding: $25
- Happy Cooking Class in Danang : $26
- Cooking Class and tasting Pho with Local Girl: $29
- Vegetarian Home Cooking Class Da Nang: $29
- Eco Cooking Class and Basket boat tour from Da Nang city: $29
- Da Nang Home Cooking Class: $29
- Da Nang Street Walking Food Tour : $29
- Basket Boat Riding and Cooking Class from Da Nang City : $29
- Da Nang Vegetarian Cooking Class: $29
- Making Lantern & Basket Boat & Happy Cooking Class: $30
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mandalay -Da Nang $13
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
- Morning Cycling Tour in Mandalay: $35
- Private Tour in Mandalay and Amarapura: $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
- Mandalay Fullday Sightseeing: $65
- Half day to Mandalay city tour: $65
- Private Full-Day Sightseeing Tour: $65
Tours and Activities in Da Nang
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Da Nang are as follows:
- The private tour to Golden Bridge and Marble mountain: $2.05
- Vietnamese Tradition Combo Ao dai Coffee and Banh mi Private Tour: $2.83
- From Monkey Mountain Hidden Gems Full-Day Tour: $4.10
- Local Food Private Walking Tour: $4.10
- Han River by night on boat cruise in Da Nang: $5.50
- Han River Cruise & Cham Dancing by Phu Quy Cruise: $6.15
- Scenic Han River Night Cruise On My Xuan Cruise.: $6.15
- Han River Local Cruise by Night: $6.15
- Super cheap and distinguished Ao Dai Experience in 2 hours - Ao dai retal: $6.16
- Han River Cruise Evening Ticket in Danang City: $7.50
- Da Nang Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Da Nang Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.78
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMandalay -Da Nang $9.39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandalay and Da Nang, we can see that Da Nang 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 Da Nang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Da Nang 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 Da Nang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mandalay or Da Nang?
Mandalay has a larger population, and is about 61% larger than the population of Da Nang. When comparing the sizes of Mandalay and Da Nang, 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.