Which place is cheaper, Kao-hsiung 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 Kao-hsiung?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mandalay or Kao-hsiung, 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 Kao-hsiung?
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.
Kao-hsiung
Kaohsiung is the second-most populated city and also the largest port city in the country, located in the south of Taiwan. Compared to Taipei, the lifestyle in Kaohsiung is laid-back and noticeably slower, populated with friendly locals. However, with Taipei in the spotlight, Kaohsiung is often overlooked, though it offers so much in the way of art and culture, history, and delicious food.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Taiwan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Taiwan.
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Mandalay Prices
Myanmar PricesKao-hsiung Prices
Taiwan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMandalay $19Kao-hsiung $127
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandalay is $19, while the average daily cost in Kao-hsiung is $127. 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 Kao-hsiung in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMandalay $8.65Kao-hsiung $57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMandalay $17Kao-hsiung $114
Compare Hotels in Mandalay and Kao-hsiung
Looking for a hotel in Mandalay or Kao-hsiung? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mandalay -Kao-hsiung $12
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
- Mandalay Airport Private Transfer: $55
- Bagan Land Transfer form Mandalay: $103
- Private Land Transfer : Mandalay to Bagan: $139
- Around Mandalay in 2 Day and Next Day to Transfer Bagan: $200
- From Mandalay To Kalaw-NyaungShwe-Inle Lake Private Transfer: $230
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kao-hsiung
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kao-hsiung:
- Guanziling Resorts to Kaohsiung Airport KHH Departure Transfer: $133
- Kaohsiung Airport Chauffeur service , Kaohsiung Airport Transfer: $50
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Port to Kaohsiung Airport (KHH): $84
Is it cheaper to fly into Mandalay or Kao-hsiung?
Prices for flights to both Kao-hsiung 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 $10Kao-hsiung $56
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
- Bicycle Food Tour in Mandalay: $45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kao-hsiung
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kao-hsiung.
- Sunset Dinner on Monkey Mountain: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mandalay -Kao-hsiung $21
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
- Adventure to Dee Dote Waterfalls from Mandalay: $63
- Mandalay Half-Day Sightseeing: $65
- Mandalay Half-Day Tour: $70
- One Day Tour Of Mandalay,Sagaing,Innwa,Amarapura: $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
- Mandalay Fullday Sightseeing: $80
- Half-Day Private Tour to Mingun: $82
- Half day to Mandalay city tour: $88
Tours and Activities in Kao-hsiung
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kao-hsiung are as follows:
- National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium Admission Ticket: $25
- Suzuka Circuit Park Admission Ticket in Kaohsiung: $32
- Southern Taiwan Golf 2 Day Tour: $40
- Kaohsiung Private Walking Tour with a Local: $48
- Classic Kaohsiung Day Tour: Fo Guang Shan x Lotus Pond x Pier-2: $62
- Maritime Kaohsiung Lotus Pond, Cijin Island and Love River Cruise: $65
- Kenting National Park & Pingtung Coastal Day Tour from Kaohsiung: $65
- Food and Culture Walking Tour in Tainan: $69
- Tainan Night Walking Tour: $70
- Kaohsiung Cultural Day: TourMoon World, Hakka Lei Cha DIY, Pier-2: $73
- Alishan Join-in Day Tour from Kaohsiung (Incl. Park Entrance): $86
- Tainan Highlights Tour: Qigu Salt Mountain Chihkan Tower & Anping: $95
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMandalay -Kao-hsiung $10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandalay and Kao-hsiung, we can see that Kao-hsiung 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 Kao-hsiung would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kao-hsiung 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 Kao-hsiung Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mandalay or Kao-hsiung?
Kao-hsiung has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Mandalay. When comparing the sizes of Mandalay and Kao-hsiung, 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.