Which place is cheaper, Osaka 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 Osaka?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mandalay or Osaka, 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 Osaka?
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.
Osaka
The third largest city in Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer travelers. It's at the center of the Kansai region, and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city sits at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay and is a major commercial hub for the country.
Osaka has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. The winters are mild with January temperatures having an average high of almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is very rare. Springs start cool and become hot and humid. This is also the wettest season with the rainiest time being between May and early July. Summers are hot and humid with July temperatures climbing into the high 90s Fahrenheit. The fall season becomes cooler as winter approaches.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.
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Mandalay Prices
Myanmar PricesOsaka Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMandalay $19Osaka $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandalay is $19, while the average daily cost in Osaka is $103. 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 Osaka in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMandalay $8.65Osaka $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMandalay $17Osaka $88
Compare Hotels in Mandalay and Osaka
Looking for a hotel in Mandalay or Osaka? 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: Osaka Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mandalay -Osaka $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mandalay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mandalay:
- Private Transfer Of Mandalay To Bagan: $180
- Private Mandalay Airport Transfer: $27
- Private Land Transfer : Mandalay to Bagan: $139
- Mandalay To Bagan Transfer Tour: $180
- Inle [Heho] Airport Private Transfer : $46
- From Mandalay To Kalaw-NyaungShwe-Inle Lake Private Transfer: $230
- Bagan Land Transfer form Mandalay: $103
- 2 Days in Mandalay Region, 3 Night in Monywa and 4 Days to transfer Bagan: $260
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:
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Subway$7.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka
Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- City-to-City Transfer, from Central Osaka to Each City in Kansai: $115
- Departure Private Transfers: Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Car: $206
- Itami Airport(ITM): Private Transfer from/to Osaka or Kyoto: $42
- Itami Airport(ITM): Private Transfer to/from Osaka or Kyoto city: $86
- Kansai Airport (KIX) Private Airport Transfer to Osaka/Kyoto: $143
- Kansai Airport (KIX) Transfer to Osaka/Kobe/Kyoto/Nara/Wakayama: $59
- Kansai Airport (KIX) to Kyoto city Arrival Private Transfer: $137
- Kansai Airport (KIX) to Kyoto hotels - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $280
- Kansai Airport (KIX): Private Transfer To/From Kyoto City Hotels: $230
- Kansai Airport (KIX): Private Transfer To/From Osaka City Hotels: $139
- Kansai Airport Osaka City Private Taxi Transfers: $262
- Kansai Airport(KIX): Private Transfer to/from Osaka or Kyoto city: $118
Is it cheaper to fly into Mandalay or Osaka?
Prices for flights to both Osaka 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 $10Osaka $42
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 Osaka
For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Osaka Cooking Class 17 Tastes Takoyaki Making: $21
- Osaka Umeda: PICCADILLY DINNER SHOW&NIGHTCLUB with Tasting: $32
- Welcome to Osaka Matrix and Local food tour with Ninja Guide: $36
- Kobe Beef Bowl Cooking Class in Osaka Afternoon: $38
- 1.5 Hour Food Tour at the Kuromon Market in Osaka: $41
- Experience Cooking Takoyaki in its Birthplace, Osaka: $42
- (1 Group Only) Osaka Dotonbori Food Tour Wagyu & Ramen Takoyaki: $45
- Osaka Cooking for Japanese Pescatarian dishes: $48
- Private Food Tour & Bar Hopping in Namba: $48
- Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $48
- Family Friendly Osaka Tempura Cooking Class: $51
- Deep Osaka Night Walking Tour with Optional Dinner: $51
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mandalay -Osaka $19
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: $110
- Amarapura,Sagaing,Innwa Sightseeing Tour: $95
- Amarapura,Sagging,Innwa/Ava Sightseeing: $75
- Ancient Cities, Pagodas, and Sunset Tour from Mandalay: $194
- Day Trip Tour From Mandalay To Pyin Oo Lwin: $130
- Full Day Adventure: $153
- Full day Adventure Trip in Mandalay & Amarapura: $61
- Half day to Mandalay city tour: $88
- Half-Day Private Tour to Mingun: $82
Typical Entertainment Prices in Osaka
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Osaka Aquarium (for 2)$29
Tours and Activities in Osaka
For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Osaka Dotonbori: CHEVAL Nightclub Ticket & Drinks (Foreign Only): $5.11
- Osaka Shinsaibashi: AMMONA Nightclub Entry Ticket (For Foreign): $6.38
- Osaka Dotonbori: GIRAFFE Nightclub Admission Ticket (For Foreign): $6.38
- Osaka Umeda: OWL Nightclub Admission Ticket (For Foreign): $6.39
- Osaka Food Quest: Self-Guided Culinary & History Adventure: $6.68
- Osaka Katsuo-ji Temple Natural Attraction Ticket: $8.00
- Harukas 300 Observatory Tickets | Osaka: $8.00
- Osaka Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $12
- Osaka Dotonbori River Cruise with Glico Sign: $13
- Osaka Dotonbori River Cruise with Glico Sign & Neon Lights View: $13
- Osaka Dotonbori Wonder Cruise: $13
- General Admission ticket to ABENO HARUKAS in Osaka: $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMandalay -Osaka $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:
- Osaka Nights: Ultimate Pub Bar Crawl with an Expert Local Guide: $33
- 3Hour Osaka Pub Crawl Bar Hopping Nightlife Guided Tour in Namba: $46
- Off The Beaten Path Osaka Local Bar Crawl: $51
- Osaka Winery Tour with Wine Tasting & Vineyard Walk: $83
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandalay and Osaka, we can see that Osaka 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 Osaka would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Osaka 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 Osaka Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mandalay or Osaka?
Osaka has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Mandalay. When comparing the sizes of Mandalay and Osaka, 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.