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

Should you visit Mandalay or Tianjin?

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

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

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.

Tianjin

Tianjin is a large metropolis on the north east coast of China. This ancient city, which dates back to prehistoric times, is one of five National Central Cities of China and is rich in culture and history. Tianjin is most famous for its beautiful walking streets and history of European concession territories.

Tianjin experiences hot and humid summers, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are cool and dry with temperatures around 15° (F). Spring and Autumn tend to be the best times to visit as weather is a little more mild, although Spring has a tendency to be a little rainy.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, and The Best Cultural Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Tianjin or Mandalay?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Mandalay is $15, while the average daily cost in Tianjin is $76. 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 Tianjin in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mandalay $8.65
    Tianjin $34
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mandalay $17
    Tianjin $68
Compare Hotels in Mandalay and Tianjin

Looking for a hotel in Mandalay or Tianjin? 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 Tianjin


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mandalay -
    Tianjin $36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mandalay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mandalay:

  • Inle Lake Land transfer from Mandalay: $213
  • Around Mandalay in 2 Day and Next Day to Transfer Bagan: $200
  • Mandalay To Bagan Transfer Tour: $150
  • Private Transfer Of Mandalay To Bagan: $150
  • From Private Transfer to Bagan: $150
  • Private Land Transfer : Mandalay to Bagan: $139
  • Airport Transfer, Paleik Snake Pagoda, a little bit of Bagan and to AVA: $50
  • Inle [Heho] Airport Private Transfer : $46
  • Private Mandalay Airport Transfer: $27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tianjin

Also for Tianjin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Beijing: Private Roundtrip Transfer to Great Wall of China: $68
  • Binhai Airport Private Transfer to Tianjin Cruise Port: $80
  • Cruise Transfer from Tianjin Port to Beijing Airport: $280
  • Cruise Transfer from Tianjin Port to Beijing Hotels : $225
  • Cruise Transfer:Tianjin International Home Port to Beijing PEK or Daxing Airport: $118
  • One Way Private Transfer from Tianjin Cruise Port To Beijing with Guide: $216
  • Port Arrival Transfer: Tianjin Cruise Home Port to Beijing Hotels: $100
  • Private 1-Way Transfer Between Tianjin Port to Beijing: $138
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN) to Hotel: $39
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Tianjin Cruise Port to Train Stations (Tianjin/Tanggu): $63
  • Private Arrival Transfer:Any Tianjin Railway Station to City Hotel: $30
  • Private Departure Transfer: Bejing City Hotel to Airport: $32

Is it cheaper to fly into Mandalay or Tianjin?

Prices for flights to both Tianjin 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 $5.95
    Tianjin $20

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mandalay -
    Tianjin $10

Tours and Activities in Mandalay

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

  • 1-night in Pyin Oo Lwin next day to Gokteik tour: $226
  • Kayah Villages Full Day Tour (Pan Pet & Hta Nee La): $260
  • 2 Days Private Tour in Mandalay: $176
  • A Little Adventure Village Explore: $17
  • Adventure Road Trip from Mandalay to Monywa – Bagan : $174
  • Amarapura,Mingun,Sagaing,Innwa Sightseeing Tour: $85
  • Ancient Capitals of Myanmar Tour: $106
  • Around Mandalay Tour in 2 Days : $100
  • Day Tour Of Mingun/Sagaing/Amarapura: $75
  • Full Day Adventure: $153
  • Half day to Mandalay city tour: $65
  • Half-Day Private Tour to Mingun: $48

Tours and Activities in Tianjin

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tianjin.

  • Tianjin Private Walking Tour Guided by a Lady Worked in Europe: $151
  • Tianjin Cruise Port To Beijing Hotel With the English Speaking Driver: $160
  • 5-Hour Private Tianjin Shopping Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $179
  • Tianjin Cruise Port To Beijing Capital Airport With the English Speaking Driver: $187
  • Private Tianjin City Highlight Day Tour: $188
  • Tianjin Cruise Port To Beijing Daxing Airport With the English Speaking Driver: $203
  • Bullet Train Private Tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven: $219
  • 1 Day Tianjin City Essence Tour from Tianjin Port: $235
  • Tianjin Private Tour to Eastern Qing Tombs with Flexible Departure time: $237
  • Private Tianjin Day Tour to Huangyaguan Great Wall and Dule Temple: $238
  • Tianjin Shore Excursion: Huangyaguan Great Wall Private Day Tour: $238
  • Bullet Train Private Tour: Beijing Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Great Wall: $239

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mandalay -
    Tianjin $11


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandalay and Tianjin, we can see that Tianjin 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 Tianjin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tianjin 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 Tianjin Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Mandalay or Tianjin?

Tianjin has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Mandalay. When comparing the sizes of Mandalay and Tianjin, 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.