Which place is cheaper, Tokyo or Mandalay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Mandalay or Tokyo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mandalay or Tokyo, 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 Tokyo?
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.
Tokyo
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is by far the most populous city in the world with a staggering 37 million people. As a worldwide hub for technology and business, it hosts millions of visitors annually. But Tokyo is not just a place for business trips. With its incredible mixture of historical temples and shrines, remarkably beautiful parks, endless shopping malls, and genuinely wonderful people, Tokyo is a terrific place to visit and to explore.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Japan, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan.
-
Mandalay Prices
Myanmar PricesTokyo Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMandalay $12Tokyo $188
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandalay is $12, while the average daily cost in Tokyo is $188. 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 Tokyo in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMandalay $5.60Tokyo $78
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMandalay $11Tokyo $156
Compare Hotels in Mandalay and Tokyo
Looking for a hotel in Mandalay or Tokyo? 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: Tokyo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mandalay -Tokyo $18
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
- Inle Lake Land transfer from Mandalay: $213
- From Mandalay To Kalaw-NyaungShwe-Inle Lake Private Transfer: $200
- 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
- Inle [Heho] Airport Private Transfer : $46
- Private Mandalay Airport Transfer: $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo
Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Tokyo to Narita Airport: $232
- Airport Transfer: Haneda Airport and Tokyo 23 wards: $134
- Airport transfer Narita, Haneda Tokyo Airport shuttle: $171
- Arrival Private Transfer: Haneda Airport HND to Tokyo in Sedan: $273
- DECKS Tokyo Beach & Odaiba 1 Way Door to Door Shared Transfer: $55
- Departure Transfer from Tokyo City to Haneda Airport HND by van: $90
- From Nikko Private Sightseeing Tour with Transfers: $451
- Hakuba: Private transfer from/to Tokyo/HND by minibus max 9: $1,062
- Haneda Airport (HND) One-Way Private Transfer to/from Tokyo: $100
- Haneda Airport (HND) Private Transfer to Central Tokyo: $120
- Haneda Airport (HND) Private Transfer to/from Central Tokyo: $115
- Haneda Airport (HND) Private Transfer to/from Tokyo City: $99
Is it cheaper to fly into Mandalay or Tokyo?
Prices for flights to both Tokyo 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 dayMandalay $6.66Tokyo $66
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 Tokyo
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:
-
Late Night Noodles$5.34
-
Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack$5.34
-
Meal at Airport$6.96
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo
For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Guided Kichijoji Food Tour in Tokyo: $6.83
- Shibuya food tour led by popular YouTuber guide: $15
- Takoyaki cooking experience in Kabukicho, Shinjuku: $23
- Easy Ramen Cooking Experience in Kabukicho, Shinjuku: $27
- Cute Sushi Roll Cooking Class in Japan: $27
- Shibuya Night Waling & Food Tour: $36
- Shibuya Walking, Cultural, and Food Tour: $40
- Ueno Private Walking Tour and Night Food Tour: $41
- Shibuya Onigiri & Tamagoyaki Cooking Class: $47
- Sushi Making Tokyo! Omakase Cooking Class in Japan! : $49
- Shibuya Temari Sushi & Tempura Cooking Class: $60
- Wagyu and 7 Japanese Dishes Cooking Class: $63
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mandalay -Tokyo $70
Tours and Activities in Mandalay
Here are a few actual costs in Mandalay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Kayah Villages Full Day Tour (Pan Pet & Hta Nee La): $260
- 2 Days Private Tour in Mandalay: $176
- A Little Adventure Village Explore: $17
- Amarapura,Mingun,Sagaing,Innwa Sightseeing Tour: $85
- Amarapura,Sagging,Innwa/Ava Sightseeing : $75
- Day Tour Of Mingun/Sagaing/Amarapura: $75
- Day Trip Tour From Mandalay To Pyin Oo Lwin: $105
- Full Day Adventure: $153
- Full Day Mandalay Tour: $130
- Full-Day Art and Craft Tour in Mandalay: $92
- Half day to Mandalay city tour: $65
- Half-Day Private Tour to Mingun: $48
Tours and Activities in Tokyo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.
- Japan eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $5.16
- 24-hour, 48-hour, or 72-hour Subway Ticket: $5.34
- Audio-Guide Tour Akihabara's Otaku Culture and TechBazaar: $6.83
- Self Guided Walking Tour of Senso-ji Temple and Asakusa in Tokyo: $7.50
- 7-Day Tour Tokyo Kamakura Hakone Nikko Yokohama Fuji Kyoto: $8.02
- Tokyo Fuji Art Museum Admission Ticket + Special Exhibition (when being held): $8.20
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Tokyo: $8.57
- Tokyo Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Tokyo Subway Ticket: $9.24
- Asakusa to Odaiba Mizube Line River Cruise: $9.35
- Self-Guided Tokyo History and Architecture Walking Tour: $9.99
- Roppongi Hills Observatory Ticket: $11
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMandalay -Tokyo $34
Typical Alcohol Prices in Tokyo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:
-
Sake$4.01
Sample the Local Flavors in Tokyo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tokyo:
- Tokyo Pub Crawl: $24
- Low-cost local pub & bar crawling: $34
- 3 Hours Pub Crawl Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $52
- 3-Hour Tokyo Pub Crawl Weekly Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $56
- The best deep Tokyo cultural pub crawling tour Shimokitazawa: $60
- Time for autumn leaves! Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery in fall: $75
- Private Shinjuku Nightlife Walking Tour & Golden-Gai Bar Crawl: $112
- Private Local Craft Brewery Tour in Tokyo: $120
- Mt. Fuji viewing & Suntory Hakushu Distillery Whisky Museum: $126
- Private Sake Tasting at 300 Years Old Sake Brewery in Tokyo : $130
- 【Harajuku】Night Pub Crawl with Local Japanese: $130
- Mt. Fuji viewing & Suntory Hakushu Distillery Whisky Museum: $134
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandalay and Tokyo, we can see that Tokyo 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 Tokyo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tokyo 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 Tokyo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mandalay or Tokyo?
Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Mandalay. When comparing the sizes of Mandalay and Tokyo, 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.