Which place is cheaper, Koh Lipe 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 Koh Lipe?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mandalay or Koh Lipe, 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 Koh Lipe?
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.
Koh Lipe
Ko Lipe used to be one of Thailand's most gorgeous hidden treasures. While it's still breathtaking, it's certainly not hidden anymore. With a small community of approximately 700 chow lair, or sea gypsies, this region is doing its best to maintain the beauty of its culture and beaches despite the influx of tourism. The rapid development has seen additions of concrete cafes and travel agencies. There are still rich, cultural gems to find in Ko Lipe - you just have to be willing to wander.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.
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Mandalay Prices
Myanmar PricesKoh Lipe Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMandalay $19Koh Lipe $117
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandalay is $19, while the average daily cost in Koh Lipe is $117. 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 Koh Lipe in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMandalay $8.65Koh Lipe $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMandalay $17Koh Lipe $98
Compare Hotels in Mandalay and Koh Lipe
Looking for a hotel in Mandalay or Koh Lipe? 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: Koh Lipe Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mandalay -Koh Lipe $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mandalay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mandalay:
- 2 Days in Mandalay Region, 3 Night in Monywa and 4 Days to transfer Bagan: $260
- Airport Transfer, Paleik Snake Pagoda, a little bit of Bagan and to AVA: $50
- Bagan Land Transfer form Mandalay: $103
- From Mandalay To Kalaw-NyaungShwe-Inle Lake Private Transfer: $230
- Inle Lake Land transfer from Mandalay: $213
- Inle [Heho] Airport Private Transfer : $46
- Mandalay Airport Private Transfer: $55
- Mandalay To Bagan Transfer Tour: $180
- Private Land Transfer : Mandalay to Bagan: $139
- Private Mandalay Airport Transfer: $27
- Private Transfer Of Mandalay To Bagan: $180
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Lipe
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Koh Lipe:
- Direct Transfer from Koh Lipe to Phuket by Speedboat: $105
- Fast and Convenient Koh Lipe to Koh Lanta Speedboat Transfer: $72
- Island Transfer from Koh Lipe to Koh Lanta by Speedboat: $75
- Koh Lipe to Hatyai Speedboat and Van Transfer: $39
- Koh Lipe to Koh Phi Phi Comfortable Transfer by Speedboat: $81
- Private Transfer Pak Bara Pier to Hatyai Airport by Van: $94
Is it cheaper to fly into Mandalay or Koh Lipe?
Prices for flights to both Koh Lipe 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 $10Koh Lipe $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
- Bicycle Food Tour in Mandalay: $45
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mandalay -Koh Lipe $26
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
- Private Full-Day Mandalay Heritage Charter Car Tour: $45
- Mandalay Bike 'n Bite Tour: $45
- U Bein Bridge Sunset Cycling Day Tour from Mandalay: $60
- Adventure to Dee Dote Waterfalls from Mandalay: $63
- Mandalay Half-Day Sightseeing: $65
- Ancient City Tour in Mandalay: $70
- Mandalay Half-Day Tour: $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
Tours and Activities in Koh Lipe
Here are a few actual costs in Koh Lipe for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Experience the Koh Lipe Backyard including 5 Mysterious Islands: $24
- 7 Islands 8 Spots Far Away Longtail Boat Snorkeling Tour: $25
- Experience the Koh Lipe Frontier in the Eastern Adang Archipelago: $28
- Full-Day Koh Lipe 7 Islands Snorkeling Experience with Lunch: $30
- Koh Lipe 5 Stunning Island Snorkeling Tour by Longtail Boat: $32
- Koh Lipe Highlight 5 Islands Snorkeling Adventure Day Trip: $34
- Private Experience with Fishing, Barbeque, Sashimi and Snorkeling: $77
- Koh Lipe Beginner Scuba Diving Half Day Tour with Lunch: $116
- Private Koh Lipe Inner Zone Snorkeling Tour by Longtail Boat: $116
- Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) 1 day Experience: $125
- Koh Lipe Unseen 7 Islands Day Tour by Private Longtail Boat: $137
- Koh Lipe Inside Outside Snorkel Tour by Private Longtail Boat: $165
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMandalay -Koh Lipe $9.21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandalay and Koh Lipe, we can see that Koh Lipe 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 Koh Lipe would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Lipe 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 Koh Lipe Expensive?.
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.