A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mandalay vs. Kamakura for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mandalay or Kamakura?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mandalay or Kamakura, 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 Kamakura?

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.

Kamakura

An old city center of medieval Japan, Kamakura sits today on the seaside just south of Tokyo. Due to its early beginnings, the city is dotted with Buddhist Zen temples and Shinto shrines. It has become a prominent resort town drawing visitors with its many historic landmarks as well as nearby beaches.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Kamakura or Mandalay?

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 Kamakura is $104. 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 Kamakura in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mandalay $8.65
    Kamakura $75
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mandalay $17
    Kamakura $150
Compare Hotels in Mandalay and Kamakura

Looking for a hotel in Mandalay or Kamakura? 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.

Hotels in Mandalay


Hotels in Kamakura


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: Kamakura Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mandalay -
    Kamakura $15

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Mandalay or Kamakura?

Prices for flights to both Kamakura 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 day
    Mandalay $5.95
    Kamakura $20

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mandalay -
    Kamakura $5.59

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 Kamakura

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kamakura are as follows:

  • Audio Guide Tour of Historic Sites around Kamakura Station: $6.32
  • Kita-Kamakura Audio Guide Tour: Discovering Zen Serenity: $6.32
  • Traditional Kimono Rental Experience at WARGO: $25
  • Tour on the Works of Ninshô in French: $28
  • Traditional Kimono Rental Experience at WARGO: $37
  • Kamakura; First Samurai Capital walking tour: $38
  • Half-Day Tour to Seven Gods of Fortune in Kamakura and Enoshima: $39
  • Kamakura Rickshaw Tour: $39
  • Private Tour from North Kamakura Temples & Shrine: $40
  • Half day Walking tour & Japanese sweets: $44
  • Private History and Heritage Tour by Rickshaw: $51
  • From Tokyo: Kamakura and Enoshima 1-Day Bus Tour: $57

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mandalay -
    Kamakura $13


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandalay and Kamakura, we can see that Kamakura 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 Kamakura would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kamakura 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 Kamakura Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Mandalay or Kamakura?

Mandalay has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Kamakura. When comparing the sizes of Mandalay and Kamakura, 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.