A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mandalay vs. Sydney for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mandalay or Sydney?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mandalay or Sydney, 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 Sydney?

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.

Sydney

Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Sydney or Mandalay?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Mandalay is $19, while the average daily cost in Sydney is $225. 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 Sydney in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mandalay $8.65
    Sydney $112
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mandalay $17
    Sydney $224
Compare Hotels in Mandalay and Sydney

Looking for a hotel in Mandalay or Sydney? 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.

Hotels in Mandalay


Hotels in Sydney


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: Sydney Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mandalay -
    Sydney $16

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
  • Bagan Land Transfer form Mandalay: $103
  • From Mandalay To Kalaw-NyaungShwe-Inle Lake Private Transfer: $230
  • Inle [Heho] Airport Private Transfer : $46
  • Mandalay To Bagan Transfer Tour: $180
  • Private Land Transfer : Mandalay to Bagan: $139
  • Private Mandalay Airport Transfer: $27
  • Private Transfer Of Mandalay To Bagan: $180

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sydney

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:


  • Taxi Ride
    $14
  • Taxi to Airport
    $18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:

  • 11:30AM Sydney Airport-Hotel transfer with Bondi Tour: $125
  • 9:30AM Sydney Airport-Hotel transfer with City Half Day Tour: $112
  • Airport Transfer from Sydney Airport to Hotels: $295
  • Airport Transfer: Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney by Luxury Van: $124
  • Arrival Transfer: Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney by Luxury Van: $124
  • Chauffeur Airport Transfers Sydney - Up to 15 Passengers: $99
  • Chauffeur Service Sydney For Luxury Airport Transfers: $112
  • Departure Transfer: Sydney to Sydney Airport SYD in Business Car: $111
  • Departure Transfer: Sydney to Sydney Airport SYD in Luxury Van: $124
  • Featherdale Wildlife Park with Exclusive Private Transfers: $253
  • From Sydney Hotels - Hotel Transfer to Airport: $355
  • From Special Event, Festival or Conference Transfers: $661

Is it cheaper to fly into Mandalay or Sydney?

Prices for flights to both Sydney 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Mandalay $10
    Sydney $84

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 Sydney

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:


  • Tea
    $2.85
  • Lunch Special
    $11
  • Food/Drink Coogie Beach
    $11
  • Meat Pies
    $3.56

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sydney.

  • Vivid Festival of Light Harbor Cruise with Dinner: $36
  • VIVID Dinner Cruise with Complimentary Drink on Arrival: $40
  • City Highlights Walking Food Tour with Harbor Cruise: $45
  • Vivid Sydney Fireworks Dinner Cruises: $47
  • Roti Making Class with 5-Course Dinner: $50
  • Harbour Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $50
  • Foraging Food Tour Sydney Native Aussie Food: $53
  • Sydney Harbour Discovery Dinner Cruise Scenic Sights and Buffet: $54
  • Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
  • Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $59
  • Vivid Tall Ships Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $65
  • Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Twilight Dinner Cruise: $65

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mandalay -
    Sydney $34

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 Full-Day Mandalay Heritage Charter Car Tour: $45
  • Mandalay Bike 'n Bite Tour: $46
  • U Bein Bridge Sunset Cycling Day Tour from Mandalay: $60
  • Full day Adventure Trip in Mandalay & Amarapura: $61
  • Mandalay Half-Day Sightseeing: $65
  • Mandalay Half-Day Tour: $70
  • Amarapura,Sagging,Innwa/Ava Sightseeing: $75
  • Private Tour for Amarapura, Mingun, Sagaing and Inwa (AVA): $77
  • Mandalay Fullday Sightseeing: $80
  • Private Pyin Oo Lwin Day Return Tour: $80
  • Private Full Day Mandalay City Tour With Professional Guide: $80

Typical Entertainment Prices in Sydney

Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Theatre Show
    $32
  • Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)
    $33
  • Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)
    $136
  • Powerhouse Museum
    $11

Tours and Activities in Sydney

Here are a few actual costs in Sydney for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Sydney Botanic Garden: Kids Quest Family Walking Adventure: $6.53
  • Sydney's Lavender Bay: An Audio Tour by ABC Broadcaster: $6.99
  • Sydney Ghost Tour: $8.00
  • Sydney’s Iconic Sights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Self Guided Electric Bike Tour of Sydney Beaches: $11
  • Sydney Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $12
  • Sydney Harbour Self Guided Walking Tour with an App: $12
  • Amazing Audio Tour: Experience Sydney Adventure: $15
  • Discover Self-Guided Audio Tour: $16
  • Aboriginal Art Exhibition Ticket, Art Gallery of NSW: $17
  • Razor Gangs True Crime Tour: $17
  • Tickets & Tours at Art Gallery of New South Wales: $17

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mandalay -
    Sydney $16

Typical Alcohol Prices in Sydney

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:


  • Wine
    $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sydney:

  • Amazing Bar Crawl in Wollongong: Go Out with a Gong: $15
  • Sydney's Haunted Pub Tour & Cellar visit: $28
  • Big Night Out Pub Crawl: $28
  • Big Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Party Hosts: $32
  • Private Wine Tasting at The Rocks: $46
  • Marrickville Brewery Tour: $84
  • Sydney The Rocks Historical Pub Tour: $86
  • From: Sydney - Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Guided Day Tour: $89
  • Hunter Valley Wine Tour from 3 Wineries & Vineyard Picnic: $110
  • Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $112
  • From Full-Day Hunter Valley Wine Tour & Lunch: $145
  • From Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Day Tour: $145


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandalay and Sydney, we can see that Sydney is more expensive. And not only is Mandalay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mandalay is in Asia and Sydney is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney 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 Sydney Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Mandalay or Sydney?

Sydney has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Mandalay. When comparing the sizes of Mandalay and Sydney, 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.