Which place is cheaper, Kyoto 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 Kyoto?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mandalay or Kyoto, 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 Kyoto?
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.
Kyoto
Kyoto is a larger city of Japan, though it is very much set in the old ways. With quiet temples, sublime gardens, colorful shrines, and geisha walking amidst a city surrounded by stunning mountains, Kyoto feels like a world of another time and place. True to ancient Japanese tradition, most aspects of daily life are tied closely with the changing of the seasons.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.
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Mandalay Prices
Myanmar PricesKyoto Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMandalay $19Kyoto $110
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandalay is $19, while the average daily cost in Kyoto is $110. 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 Kyoto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMandalay $8.65Kyoto $62
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMandalay $17Kyoto $124
Compare Hotels in Mandalay and Kyoto
Looking for a hotel in Mandalay or Kyoto? 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: Kyoto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mandalay -Kyoto $7.33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mandalay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mandalay:
- 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
- Private Land Transfer : Mandalay to Bagan: $139
- Private Mandalay Airport Transfer: $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:
- City-to-City Transfer, from Central Kyoto to Each City in Kansai: $256
- Departure Transfer from Kyoto to Itami Airport ITM by Minivan: $135
- Kansai Airport(KIX)to/from Osaka or Kyoto Private Transfer: $133
- Kyoto Gion & Fushimi E-Bike Tour with Hotel Transfer: $123
- Kyoto Private Transfer From or To Kansai Airport (KIX): $246
- Kyoto Station to Kyoto City Private Transfer: $123
- Kyoto to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $160
- Kyoto to/from Kansai (KIX): Private Van Transfer (One-Way): $278
- Naruto & Boruto at Nijigen no Mori Entry & Transfer: $47
- Minivan Departure Transfer from Kyoto City to Kansai Airport KIX: $271
- Osaka Hotel Private Transfer to or from Kyoto Hotel: $206
- Private Transfer Between Osaka Cruise Port and Kyoto Hotels: $204
Is it cheaper to fly into Mandalay or Kyoto?
Prices for flights to both Kyoto 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 $10Kyoto $40
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 Kyoto
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kyoto.
- Kyoto:Exclusive Geisha(Maiko) Show with Dinner, Games & Open Bar: $32
- Kyoto Nishiki Market Food Tour Hidden Tastings and Local Insights: $42
- Kyoto Izakaya Hopping: Pontocho & Gion Local Food Tour: $47
- Kyoto Nishiki Market & Depachika: 2-hours Food Tour with a Local: $48
- Kyoto Home Cooking Class Okonomiyaki and Japanese Cuisines: $52
- Nishiki Market Food Tour-7 Tastings: $52
- Future Train Kyoto Diner & Cafe Night Parade Dinner Party: $52
- 1 hour Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki cooking class in Kyoto: $57
- Private Cooking Class Udon in Kyoto Japan: $60
- Japanese Cooking Class: $60
- Kyoto Private Vegan Cooking : Shojin Ryori with a Local Host: $70
- Bento Box Cooking Class: $71
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mandalay -Kyoto $13
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 Tour in Mandalay and Amarapura: $41
- Mandalay Bike 'n Bite Tour: $44
- Private Full-Day Mandalay Heritage Charter Car Tour: $45
- Adventure to Dee Dote Waterfalls from Mandalay: $63
- Mandalay Half-Day Sightseeing: $65
- One Day Tour Of Mandalay,Sagaing,Innwa,Amarapura: $70
- Mandalay Half-Day Tour: $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
Tours and Activities in Kyoto
Here are a few actual costs in Kyoto for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Hidden Temples in Kyoto a Self-Guided Zen Tour: $1.12
- Self-Guided Podcast Tour Kyoto Hidden Matriarchy of Gion: $5.49
- Kyoto Private Tour: Kimono,Sake, Kyudo, Kaiseki and Fushimi Inari: $6.47
- Kyoto KITSUNE Nightclub Admission Ticket For Foreign: $6.47
- Self Guided Podcast Tour Unlocking Kyoto's Culinary Soul: $6.86
- Family Mitsui House Museum with green tea admission ticket: $7.12
- Tea Ceremony Experience (includes Matcha grinding demonstration): $8.22
- Nidec Kyoto Tower Ticket 360 Degree Observation Deck Kyoto: $10
- T18 Nishiki Market and Takashimaya Guided Walking Tour: $10
- Kyoto Fushimi Inari Taisha Walking Tour with Audioguide: $11
- Kyoto Casual Matcha Making Experience in Kawaramachi: $13
- Kyoto Hanafuda Card Game Experience with Local English Learners: $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMandalay -Kyoto $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Kyoto
Also in Kyoto, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Kyoto Pub Crawl & Bar Hopping Night with Local friend: $29
- Kyoto Nightlife Pub Crawl with Drinks and Karaoke: $34
- Kyoto's Sake District Brewery Tour and Tasting: $40
- Kyoto Night Pub Crawl: Pontocho & Gion Hidden Alley Bars Tour: $42
- Fushimi Sake Discovery Tour Tasting and Brewery Visit: $76
- Kyoto sake brewery experience tour (Includes 4 sake tastings): $81
- 3-Hour Kyoto Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Tastings & Pairings: $86
- Fushimi Cherry Blossom and Sake Brewery Tour: $96
- Hidden Bar Crawl in Pontocho & Gion (Food & Drink Incl.): $105
- Fushimi Sake Brewery Tour - 18 Tastings in 2.5 Hours: $110
- Kyoto Sake Tasting: Private Brewery Tour with Inside Access: $148
- Kyoto Matsui Sake Brewery Experience with Tasting: $194
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandalay and Kyoto, we can see that Kyoto 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 Kyoto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kyoto 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 Kyoto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mandalay or Kyoto?
Kyoto has a larger population, and is about 21% larger than the population of Mandalay. When comparing the sizes of Mandalay and Kyoto, 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.