Which place is cheaper, Surabaya 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 Surabaya?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mandalay or Surabaya, 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 Surabaya?
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.
Surabaya
Surabaya, also known as the "city of heroes," is the capital of East Java and the second largest city in Indonesia, following Jakarta. While it doesn't highlight as many typical tourist monuments as other cities, Surabaya serves as a takeoff point or a landing base for travelers visiting Mount Bromo and Bali.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Indonesia.
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Mandalay Prices
Myanmar PricesSurabaya Prices
Indonesia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMandalay $19Surabaya $78
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandalay is $19, while the average daily cost in Surabaya is $78. 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 Surabaya in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMandalay $8.65Surabaya $36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMandalay $17Surabaya $72
Compare Hotels in Mandalay and Surabaya
Looking for a hotel in Mandalay or Surabaya? 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: Surabaya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mandalay -Surabaya $2.71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mandalay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mandalay:
- 2 Days in Mandalay Region, 3 Night in Monywa and 4 Days to transfer Bagan: $260
- Airport Transfer, Paleik Snake Pagoda, a little bit of Bagan and to AVA: $50
- Around Mandalay in 2 Day and Next Day to Transfer Bagan: $200
- Bagan Land Transfer form Mandalay: $103
- From Mandalay To Kalaw-NyaungShwe-Inle Lake Private Transfer: $200
- Inle Lake Land transfer from Mandalay: $213
- Inle [Heho] Airport Private Transfer : $46
- Mandalay Airport Private Transfer : $55
- Mandalay To Bagan Transfer Tour: $150
- Private Land Transfer : Mandalay to Bagan: $139
- Private Mandalay Airport Transfer: $27
- Private Transfer Of Mandalay To Bagan: $150
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surabaya
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Surabaya:
- From Private Transfer To or From Mount Bromo: $34
- Private Airport Transfer Surabaya: $21
- Private Transfer International Jendaral Ahmad (SRG) to City Semarang: $13
- Private Transfer International Jendaral Ahmad (SRG) to City centre Seamarang: $13
- Private Transfer from Aloha to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $34
- Private Transfer from Bangkalan to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $143
- Private Transfer from Batu to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $178
- Private Transfer from Berbek Industri to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $34
- Private Transfer from Bungurasih to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $34
- Private Transfer from Delta sari to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $34
- Private Transfer from Gendangan to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $34
- Private Transfer from Gresik to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $53
Is it cheaper to fly into Mandalay or Surabaya?
Prices for flights to both Surabaya 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 $10Surabaya $38
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
- Bicycle Food Tour in Mandalay: $45
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mandalay -Surabaya $4.65
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 Half-Day Tour: $45
- Mandalay Half-Day Sightseeing: $53
- Mandalay Full-Day Tour: $60
- Full day Adventure Trip in Mandalay & Amarapura : $61
- Mandalay Fullday Sightseeing: $65
- Ancient City Tour in Mandalay : $70
- Day Tour Of Mingun/Sagaing/Amarapura: $75
- Amarapura,Sagging,Innwa/Ava Sightseeing : $75
- Private Tour for Amarapura, Mingun, Sagaing and Inwa (AVA): $77
- Private Full Day Mandalay City Tour With Professional Guide: $80
Tours and Activities in Surabaya
Here are a few actual costs in Surabaya for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- From Probolinggo: Bromo Sunrise Guided Group Tour: $25
- From Mount Bromo Sunrise Guided Group Tour: $46
- Epic Mount Bromo Sunrise Tour from Surabaya & Malang: $46
- Mount Bromo Sunrise Shared Guided Tour from Surabaya : $71
- Day Tour - Surabaya Heritage Colonial Tour: $73
- Private Day Tour Surabaya Historiculture : $74
- Bromo Sunrise Tour: $76
- Probolinggo City Tour For Cruise Passengers: $78
- Surabaya Private Tour: $78
- Bromo Tour Package: Midnight Bromo Open Trip from Batu: $79
- Majapahit Heritage Archaelogy tour via surabaya: $80
- Half-Day Private Majapahit Historical Tour from Surabaya: $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMandalay -Surabaya -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandalay and Surabaya, we can see that Surabaya 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 Surabaya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Surabaya 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 Surabaya Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mandalay or Surabaya?
Surabaya has a larger population, and is about 97% larger than the population of Mandalay. When comparing the sizes of Mandalay and Surabaya, 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.