Which place is cheaper, Seoul 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 Seoul?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mandalay or Seoul, 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 Seoul?
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.
Seoul
With a population of more than 11 million, Seoul is easily the largest city in South Korea. It is also the financial, political, and cultural capital of the country and has much to offer open minded travelers. It is often overlooked by travelers who instead head to Tokyo or Shanghai, but Seoul has a wide range of cultural experiences, food options, and historical sights. Seoul is a city of contrasts with ancient traditions, flashy technology, religious temples and a modern youth culture. It is also more affordable than many of the other Asian metropolis' to which it is often compared. If you're looking for an interesting and different experience that is a little off the tourist trail, Seoul can definitely offer that opportunity.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, and The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea.
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Mandalay Prices
Myanmar PricesSeoul Prices
South Korea Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMandalay $12Seoul $128
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandalay is $12, while the average daily cost in Seoul is $128. 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 Seoul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMandalay $5.60Seoul $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMandalay $11Seoul $108
Compare Hotels in Mandalay and Seoul
Looking for a hotel in Mandalay or Seoul? 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: Seoul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mandalay -Seoul $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mandalay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mandalay:
- Private Mandalay Airport Transfer: $27
- Inle [Heho] Airport Private Transfer : $46
- Private Land Transfer : Mandalay to Bagan: $139
- Mandalay To Bagan Transfer Tour: $150
- Private Transfer Of Mandalay To Bagan: $150
- From Private Transfer to Bagan: $150
- Around Mandalay in 2 Day and Next Day to Transfer Bagan: $200
- From Mandalay To Kalaw-NyaungShwe-Inle Lake Private Transfer: $200
- Inle Lake Land transfer from Mandalay: $213
- 2 Days in Mandalay Region, 3 Night in Monywa and 4 Days to transfer Bagan: $260
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Seoul
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Seoul:
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Subway Card$3.59
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Short Taxi Ride$5.02
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Metro Ride$0.97
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Seoul City Pass Plus$7.17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seoul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seoul:
- Everland Transfer + Admission ticket with Meal Coupon: $75
- Everland theme park : private transfer(up to 12passengers): $344
- From Half-Day MBC Dae Jang Geum Park Transfer: $50
- Incheon Airport (ICN) Transfer to Seoul/Suwon/Seongnam/Yongin: $48
- Incheon Airport Private Transfer between Seoul City: $55
- Incheon Airport Transfer service pick up drop off Seoul ~7 Pax : $96
- Incheon Airport transfer directly to Seoul city: $108
- Incheon International Airport (ICN): Private Seoul Transfer: $98
- Premium Seoul Airport Transfer: Affordable & Convenience: $110
- Private Airport Transfer * Incheon Airport <-> Seoul (1-5 people): $95
- Private Airport Transfer : Gimpo airport to/from Seoul (1~7pax): $89
- Private Airport Transfer : Incheon airport to/from Seoul(~7 pax): $98
Is it cheaper to fly into Mandalay or Seoul?
Prices for flights to both Seoul 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 $6.66Seoul $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
Typical Food Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seoul are as follows:
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Rice with Kimchi & Bacon$4.30
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Waffle$0.72
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Dippin' Dots$1.43
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Chicken Fried Rice$3.94
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Chicken Stick$1.43
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Drinking Yoghurt & Mi Chew$1.36
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Lunch Buffet$4.30
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Donut$0.72
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Mushroom Burger$3.73
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Green Tea Ice Cream$2.37
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Udon & Sushi$5.02
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Fresh Burger$3.44
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Soba Noodles Lunch$3.23
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Bibimbap Lunch$3.59
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Fried Rice$3.94
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Vietnamese Dinner$6.81
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Breakfast and Coffee for 2$6.81
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Donut$1.79
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seoul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seoul.
- Mangwon Market Food Tour with a Professional Chef: $29
- You're Invited to Our Home in The Only Cooking Class!: $34
- Oriental Medicine&Optional Temple Vegan Cooking Class: $43
- Korean Grandma Cooking Class l Gimbap & Kimchi Pancake l Seoul: $45
- Namdaemun Market: the Largest Traditional Market Food Tour: $45
- Namdaemun Market Street Food Tour: $47
- Hidden Stories & Flavors: Traditional Market Food Tour: $50
- Casual & Social Wine Dinner with Local Korean Food: $53
- Gwangjang Market Netflix Food Tour: $54
- Guided City Wall Sunset Hike with Korean Dinner: $57
- Celebrate Like a Local-KR New Year & Cooking in Hanok: $65
- Seoul Day Tour, Inwangsan Sunset Hiking and Dinner: $71
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mandalay -Seoul $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
- Mandalay Bike 'n Bite Tour: $41
- Private Full-Day Mandalay Heritage Charter Car Tour: $45
- Mandalay Half-Day Tour: $45
- Half-Day Private Tour to Mingun: $48
- Mandalay Half-Day Sightseeing: $53
- Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $53
- Mandalay Full-Day Tour: $60
- Half day to Mandalay city tour: $65
- Private Full-Day Sightseeing Tour: $65
- Mandalay Fullday Sightseeing: $65
- Day Tour Of Mingun/Sagaing/Amarapura: $75
Typical Entertainment Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Seoul are as follows:
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Palace Tickets$5.74
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Movie Ticket$5.74
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Kimchi Museum$2.15
Tours and Activities in Seoul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seoul are as follows:
- Bongeunsa Temple Guided Tour: $0.80
- Gyeongbokgung Palace Hanbok Rental Experience in Seoul: $7.00
- Changdeokgung Palace Hanbok Rental Experience in Seoul: $7.00
- Seoul Changdeokgung Palace Hanbok Experience Hanboknam (내국인불가): $7.20
- Gyeongbokgung Palace Hanbok Rental Experience Hanboknam (내국인불가): $7.30
- Dongdaemun SPAREX Jimjilbang Sauna Admission Ticket: $9.85
- Skip the Line: Figure Museum W Ticket (내국인 불가): $11
- Gyeongbokgung Hanbok Experience at hanboknam: $14
- Changdeokgung Hanbok Experience at hanboknam: $14
- Airport Bus 6103 Airport Limousine Bus Discount Ticket: $15
- Seoul Fun Walking Tour : $15
- Yare Yare Ojosama - Butler/Maid Cafe Experience: $17
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMandalay -Seoul $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Seoul
Also in Seoul, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Seoul Pub Crawl by Absolute: $20
- Gangnam Pub Crawl with 3 Shots and Korean Tapas: $22
- Pub Crawl: $25
- The Seoul Pub Crawl [official]: $25
- Rice Wine Tasting with Sommelier - Finest Makgeolli & Soju: $33
- Rice Wine Tasting with Sommelier - Finest Makgeolli & Soju: $42
- Soju Tasting at Distillery - Story of Three Pigs [GroupTour]: $42
- DMZ and Wine Tasting Tour with Jam Making Class: $63
- Learn and Craft Makgeolli in a Traditional Brewery: $79
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandalay and Seoul, we can see that Seoul 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 Seoul would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seoul 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 Seoul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mandalay or Seoul?
Seoul has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Mandalay. When comparing the sizes of Mandalay and Seoul, 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.