Which place is cheaper, Shanghai 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 Shanghai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mandalay or Shanghai, 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 Shanghai?
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.
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest and most modern city in China. With a population of over 23 million, it is the economic and financial hub of the country. It also continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in China with regular changes to the city's layout and skyline. It is not uncommon for buildings to be torn down, rebuilt and then torn down and rebuilt again. The city also has skyscrapers that rank among the tallest in the world. It has an ever changing downtown and street scape. In Shanghai, the general mantra remains "out with the old, in with the new".
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Mandalay Prices
Myanmar PricesShanghai Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMandalay $19Shanghai $139
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandalay is $19, while the average daily cost in Shanghai is $139. 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 Shanghai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMandalay $8.65Shanghai $86
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMandalay $17Shanghai $172
Compare Hotels in Mandalay and Shanghai
Looking for a hotel in Mandalay or Shanghai? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mandalay -Shanghai $4.12
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
- Airport Transfer, Paleik Snake Pagoda, a little bit of Bagan and to AVA: $50
- Mandalay Airport Private Transfer: $55
- Bagan Land Transfer form Mandalay: $103
- Private Land Transfer : Mandalay to Bagan: $139
- Mandalay To Bagan Transfer Tour: $180
- Private Transfer Of Mandalay To Bagan: $180
- Inle Lake Land transfer from Mandalay: $213
- From Mandalay To Kalaw-NyaungShwe-Inle Lake Private Transfer: $230
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Shanghai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Shanghai:
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Taxi Ride$3.82
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Two Subway Tickets$0.88
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shanghai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:
- 1 Day-Pass for Disneyland Shanghai and Private Transfer Package: $245
- 3-hour Private Transfer to Shanghai ERA Acrobatic Show from City Center: $53
- Arrival Private Transfer: Pudong Airport PVG to Shanghai in Business Car: $122
- Arrival Transfer by High-Speed Maglev Train: Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Hotel: $79
- Chauffeur service, Limousine airport transfer in Shanghai-English speaking: $51
- Departure Private Transfer: Shanghai to Pudong Airport PVG in Business Car: $122
- Departure Transfer by High-Speed Maglev Train: Hotel to Shanghai Pudong International Airport: $79
- Departure Transfer from Shanghai to Pudong Airport PVG by Sedan: $61
- Flexible Hours of Private Shanghai Layover or Transfer Tour: $129
- Hongqiao Airport (SHA) to Shanghai Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $95
- Hongqiao Airport (SHA): Private Transfer To/From Shanghai Hotels: $46
- Mount Mogan Self-Guided Tour from Shanghai by Private Transfer: $130
Is it cheaper to fly into Mandalay or Shanghai?
Prices for flights to both Shanghai 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 $10Shanghai $39
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 Shanghai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:
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Dumpling Breakfast$1.47
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Desserts in Jinmao Building Observatory$21
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Ajisen Lunch for Two$7.64
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Cantelope$1.76
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Dumplings and Soup$2.20
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Duck Dinner$4.41
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Pastries$3.08
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Barbeque Dinner$9.40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shanghai
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Shanghai.
- Online Cooking Class General Tso's Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Sesame Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Shanghai Huangpu River Night Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $28
- Authentic Shanghai Food Tour with Chi Gua Va: $35
- Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple and Local Food Tour: $49
- Shanghai Breakfast Omakase A Home Cook Food Tour: $71
- Shanghai Food Tour and Alleyways to Skyline with 8 Local Eats: $71
- Small Group: Shanghai After Dark Food Tour with 9 tastings: $74
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai: $79
- Authentic Shanghai Food Tour by Walking or Cycling: $80
- Late Night Food Tour in the Shanghai's French Concession: $86
- Private Cooking Class: Make Your Own Dim Sum In Shanghai: $88
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mandalay -Shanghai $8.96
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: $46
- U Bein Bridge Sunset Cycling Day Tour from Mandalay: $60
- Full day Adventure Trip in Mandalay & Amarapura: $61
- 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
- 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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Shanghai are as follows:
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30 Minute River Cruise for Two$29
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Zoo for Two$15
Tours and Activities in Shanghai
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shanghai are as follows:
- Shanghai French Concession Walking Tour-Tip Based: $3.54
- Shanghai Evolution Free Walking Tour: $4.00
- French Concession Multicultural Walking Tour: $4.00
- Shanghai City Guided Walking Tour | China's 1st and Best Rated: $5.00
- Evening Walking Tour at the Bund: $5.00
- French Concession Guided Walking Tour | China's 1st & Best Rated: $5.00
- Journey Back to Dunhuang Experience Voucher: $5.69
- Shanghai Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h and 22 audio reviews: $6.98
- The History of the French Concession: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Shanghai Day Tour with English Guide – Explore Yu Garden & More: $10
- Private Shanghai Full Day Tour Yu Garden, Bund and Oriental Pearl: $10
- Shanghai Yu Garden Ticket Booking: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMandalay -Shanghai $7.82
Sample the Local Flavors in Shanghai
Also in Shanghai, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Shanghai Pub Crawl (Guided Bar Hopping) with Shots Included: $26
- Shanghai Bar Crawl Craft Beers and TCM Cocktails: $71
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandalay and Shanghai, we can see that Shanghai 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 Shanghai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shanghai 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 Shanghai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mandalay or Shanghai?
Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Mandalay. When comparing the sizes of Mandalay and Shanghai, 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.