Which place is cheaper, Kobe 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 Kobe?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mandalay or Kobe, 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 Kobe?
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.
Kobe
Located between the sea and the Rokko mountain range, Kobe is a port city in Japan also considered to be one of the country's most attractive. Though it was devastated by a historic earthquake in 1995, known locally as the Great Hanshin Earthquake, Kobe has fully recovered to its cosmopolitan splendor with plenty for visitors to see and do.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan.
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Mandalay Prices
Myanmar PricesKobe Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMandalay $19Kobe $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandalay is $19, while the average daily cost in Kobe is $122. 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 Kobe in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMandalay $8.65Kobe $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMandalay $17Kobe $118
Compare Hotels in Mandalay and Kobe
Looking for a hotel in Mandalay or Kobe? 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: Kobe Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mandalay -Kobe $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mandalay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mandalay:
- From Mandalay To Kalaw-NyaungShwe-Inle Lake Private Transfer: $230
- Inle Lake Land transfer from Mandalay: $213
- Private Land Transfer : Mandalay to Bagan: $139
- Bagan Land Transfer form Mandalay: $103
- Mandalay Airport Private Transfer: $55
- Airport Transfer, Paleik Snake Pagoda, a little bit of Bagan and to AVA: $50
- Inle [Heho] Airport Private Transfer : $46
- Private Mandalay Airport Transfer: $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kobe
Also for Kobe, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arima Onsen Resorts to Osaka Airport (ITM) Departure Transfer: $107
- Departure Transfer: Kobe to Kobe Airport UKB by Business Car: $155
- Kobe City: Private transfer to/from Itami Airport: $115
- Kobe City: Private transfer to/from Kansai Airport: $176
- Kobe Cruise Port Private Transfer To From Takarazuka City Hotel: $263
- Kobe to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $73
- Private Transfer Between Kobe Cruise Port and Kyoto Hotels: $264
- Private Transfer from Kobe Airport (UKB) to Kobe Cruise Port: $68
- Private Transfer from Kobe Airport (UKB) to Kobe Cruise Port: $87
- Private Transfer from Kobe Cruise Port to Kobe Airport (UKB): $87
- Private Transfer from Kobe Port to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX): $68
- Private Transfer from Kobe Port to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX): $168
Is it cheaper to fly into Mandalay or Kobe?
Prices for flights to both Kobe 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 $10Kobe $51
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 Kobe
For Kobe, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Shinkaichi Evening Food Tour with Local Guide: $71
- Kobe Private Food Tour with Local Guide: $95
- Shinkaichi Evening Food Tour with Local Guide: $95
- Cooking Class with Kobe Beef Sukiyaki and Origami: $101
- Kobe Beef Dining Local Food Tour with Licensed Guide: $107
- Eat Like a Local Private & Personalized Food Tour: $223
- Private tour in Kobe with beef dinner: $487
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mandalay -Kobe $23
Tours and Activities in Mandalay
Here are a few actual costs in Mandalay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Kayah Villages Full Day Tour (Pan Pet & Hta Nee La): $260
- 1-night in Pyin Oo Lwin next day to Gokteik tour: $226
- 2 Days Private Tour in Mandalay: $176
- A Little Adventure Village Explore: $17
- Adventure to Dee Dote Waterfalls from Mandalay: $63
- Amarapura,Sagging,Innwa/Ava Sightseeing: $75
- Ancient Cities, Pagodas, and Sunset Tour from Mandalay: $194
- Ancient City Tour in Mandalay: $70
- Around Mandalay Tour in 2 Days: $100
- Day Trip Tour From Mandalay To Pyin Oo Lwin: $130
- Full Day Adventure: $153
- Full Day Mandalay Tour: $130
Tours and Activities in Kobe
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kobe.
- ANCHOR Nightclub Admission Ticket (For Foreign): $6.47
- Port Tower Admission Ticket: $6.76
- ANCHOR Nightclub Admission Ticket (For Foreign): $6.76
- Rokko Forest Sound Museum Admission Ticket: $9.46
- Classic Kobe GPS App Walking Tour Mobile Game: $13
- Private Ring Craft Experience in Kobe: $25
- Sorakuen Garden Guided Walking Tour: $43
- Bar Hopping Tour with a Local Guide: $46
- Kobe City Highlights Guided Tour - Shrine, Port, Tower: $47
- 1-Day Guided Tour - Enjoy Kobe to the fullest: $47
- 1.5-Hour Local Street Food Guided Tour at Nankinmachi: $51
- Earthquake Memories Guided Tour at the Disaster Museum: $52
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMandalay -Kobe $8.31
Sample the Local Flavors in Kobe
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kobe:
- Private Sake Tour and Tasting at a Kobe Brewery: $78
- Sake Brewery and Japanese Life Experience Tour in Kobe: $82
- KOBE Sake brewery PRIVATE walking tour with Local guide: $83
- Sake Brewery Tour with Tasting Sake: $88
- Kobe Sake Brewery Walking Tour with Local Guide: $97
- Sake Brewery Tour with Tasting and Kobe Beef Bites: $108
- Kobe Sake Brewery Tasting and Lunch Tour with Local Guide: $142
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandalay and Kobe, we can see that Kobe 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 Kobe would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kobe 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 Kobe Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mandalay or Kobe?
Kobe has a larger population, and is about 27% larger than the population of Mandalay. When comparing the sizes of Mandalay and Kobe, 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.