Which place is cheaper, Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mandalay or Kuala Lumpur, 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 Kuala Lumpur?
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.
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as KL, is the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia. It is also the largest city in the country, having grown out of a small Chinese mining village. Today Kuala Lumpur is a microcosm of the country of Malaysia. The population is split between the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures which you can see reflected in the city's neighborhoods, cuisine, and entertainment. It's also an incredibly affordable city, even if you're looking for the comforts of a five star hotel or a luxury restaurant. Prices are almost always a fraction of what you would pay in Europe or the United States.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia.
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Mandalay Prices
Myanmar PricesKuala Lumpur Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMandalay $12Kuala Lumpur $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandalay is $12, while the average daily cost in Kuala Lumpur is $79. 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 Kuala Lumpur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMandalay $5.60Kuala Lumpur $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMandalay $11Kuala Lumpur $78
Compare Hotels in Mandalay and Kuala Lumpur
Looking for a hotel in Mandalay or Kuala Lumpur? 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: Kuala Lumpur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mandalay -Kuala Lumpur $6.88
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mandalay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mandalay:
- Private Transfer Of Mandalay To Bagan: $150
- Private Mandalay Airport Transfer: $27
- Private Land Transfer : Mandalay to Bagan: $139
- Mandalay To Bagan Transfer Tour: $150
- Inle [Heho] Airport Private Transfer : $46
- Inle Lake Land transfer from Mandalay: $213
- From Private Transfer to Bagan: $150
- From Mandalay To Kalaw-NyaungShwe-Inle Lake Private Transfer: $200
- Around Mandalay in 2 Day and Next Day to Transfer Bagan: $200
- 2 Days in Mandalay Region, 3 Night in Monywa and 4 Days to transfer Bagan: $260
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$3.37
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Metro Ride (for Two)$0.72
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Short Taxi Ride$3.37
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Taxi From Airport$20
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Bus from Airport$1.80
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Train & Boat to Pulau Ketam$2.70
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Genting Highlands (1 way transfer): $28
- *Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Singapore Car Transfer: $273
- *Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Singapore Transfer [Van]: $176
- 2 Way Transfer to or from Kuala Lumpur International Airport : $25
- AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort Hotel TO Kuala Lumpur Hotel Door to Door Transfer: $59
- Airport Arrival Transfer-VIP Class: $200
- Airport Private Transfer: KLIA/ KLIA 2 to or from Hotel (6 seater): $48
- Airport Transfer KLIA & KLIA2 (per vehicle): $60
- Airport Transfer from KLIA or KLIA2 to KL Hotel (PRIVATE SHUTTLE): $55
- Aquaria KLCC E-Ticket with One Way Transfer: $42
- Arrival Private Transfers from Airport KUL to Kuala Lumpur in Business Van: $112
- Arrival Transfer - Kuala Lumpur Airport To Genting Highlands: $41
Is it cheaper to fly into Mandalay or Kuala Lumpur?
Prices for flights to both Kuala Lumpur 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 $6.66Kuala Lumpur $28
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
Typical Food Prices in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Ding Tai Fung$9.00
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Roti Bread$0.22
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Food Court Lunch$3.24
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Dinner at Indian Restaurant (for Two)$4.84
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Exclusive Night Market Food Tour in Kuala Lumpur: $19
- Private Night Tour Batu Caves and South Indian Dinner: $20
- Authentic Malaysian Street Food Tour in Kampung Baru: $35
- Nightlife Street Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $38
- Kuala Lumpur's Urban Evening Food Tour: $41
- Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Street Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $50
- Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Cultural Night Experience with Buffet Dinner : $53
- Kuala Lumpur Food Tour: $54
- Best Local Food Tour by Night at Kuala Lumpur : $55
- From Kuala Selangor Fireflies Tour with Dinner: $57
- 3 Hour Kuala Lumpur Private Food Tour With A Guide: $60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mandalay -Kuala Lumpur $14
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
- 2 Days Private Tour in Mandalay: $176
- A Little Adventure Village Explore: $17
- Amarapura,Mingun,Sagaing,Innwa Sightseeing Tour: $85
- Amarapura,Sagging,Innwa/Ava Sightseeing : $75
- Day Tour Of Mingun/Sagaing/Amarapura: $75
- Day Trip Tour From Mandalay To Pyin Oo Lwin: $105
- Full Day Adventure: $153
- Full Day Mandalay Tour: $130
- Full-Day Art and Craft Tour in Mandalay: $92
- Half day to Mandalay city tour: $65
- Half-Day Private Tour to Mingun: $48
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
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KL Tower Admission (for Two)$10
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Canopy Walk at FRIM Forest Reserve$1.12
Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- KL Tower Admission E-Ticket with Options: $4.21
- Malaysia: KL Tower Entry Ticket: $4.59
- KL Tower Observatory & Sky deck, Sky box ticket in Kuala Lumpur: $7.42
- Breakout Escape Game NU Sentral Ticket: $8.19
- Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Pass: $8.36
- Zoo Negara Instant Entry E-Ticket: $8.66
- Museum Of Illusions Standard Admission Ticket: $9.12
- Big Bounce Admission Ticket: $9.36
- Aquaria KLCC Entry Ticket: $11
- KL Tower Observation Deck Entry Ticket: $11
- Breakout Escape Game Avenue K Ticket: $11
- Malaysia: Aquaria KLCC Admission E-Ticket: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMandalay -Kuala Lumpur $6.67
Typical Alcohol Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandalay and Kuala Lumpur, we can see that Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mandalay or Kuala Lumpur?
Kuala Lumpur has a larger population, and is about 20% larger than the population of Mandalay. When comparing the sizes of Mandalay and Kuala Lumpur, 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.