Which place is cheaper, Hat Yai or Mandalay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mandalay or Hat Yai, 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.
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.
The fourth largest city of Thailand, Hat Yai is a popular tourist destination, especially on weekends and holidays for people in neighboring Malaysia and Singapore. It is best known as a commercial hub and shopping destination, and for its floating market and Buddhist temple.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandalay is $15, while the average daily cost in Hat Yai is $16. 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 Hat Yai in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Mandalay or Hat Yai? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mandalay:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hat Yai:
Prices for flights to both Hat Yai 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Mandalay.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hat Yai are as follows:
Here are a few actual costs in Mandalay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hat Yai are as follows:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Hat Yai:
When comparing the travel costs between Mandalay and Hat Yai, we can see that Hat Yai is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mandalay Expensive? and Is Hat Yai Expensive?.
Mandalay has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Hat Yai. When comparing the sizes of Mandalay and Hat Yai, 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.