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 The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan.
-
Mandalay Prices
Myanmar PricesTokyo Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMandalay $19Tokyo $174
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandalay is $19, while the average daily cost in Tokyo is $174. 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 $8.65Tokyo $73
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMandalay $17Tokyo $146
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 $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mandalay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mandalay:
- From Mandalay To Kalaw-NyaungShwe-Inle Lake Private Transfer: $230
- Inle Lake Land transfer from Mandalay: $213
- Around Mandalay in 2 Day and Next Day to Transfer Bagan: $200
- Mandalay To Bagan Transfer Tour: $180
- Private Transfer Of Mandalay To Bagan: $180
- Private Land Transfer : Mandalay to Bagan: $139
- Bagan Land Transfer form Mandalay: $103
- 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 Tokyo
Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- (HND) Haneda Airport Private Transfer to Central Tokyo: $95
- Accessible Haneda Airport Transfer with English-speaking Driver: $158
- Airport Shuttle Arrival Transfer : from Haneda Airport to Tokyo City: $61
- Airport Transfer: Haneda Airport and Tokyo 23 wards: $135
- Airport Transfer: Tokyo City to Narita Airport NRT by Luxury Van: $280
- Arrival Private Transfer: Haneda Airport HND to Tokyo in Sedan: $283
- Center Tokyo Private One Way Transfer To Haneda Airport: $108
- Center Tokyo Private One Way Transfer To Narita Airport (License): $133
- DECKS Tokyo Beach & Odaiba 1 Way Door to Door Shared Transfer: $51
- Departure Transfer from Tokyo City to Haneda Airport HND by van: $180
- Departure Transfer: Tokyo to Narita Airport NRT by Sedan Car: $248
- Disney/Universal Studio/Harry Potter Warner Bros Transfer One way: $124
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 $10Tokyo $61
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
Typical Food Prices in Tokyo
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:
-
Late Night Noodles$4.96
-
Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack$4.96
-
Meal at Airport$6.47
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo
For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hide's Table A Unique Dinner Gathering Every Wednesday Night: $19
- Tokyo : Vintage, Music & Food Tour in Shimokitazawa with a Local: $22
- Tsukiji Market Culture and Food Tour with 40-Year Resident: $25
- Shinjuku: 7-Dishes vegetarian dinner at a Japanese izakaya: $28
- Asakusa: Senso-ji Sightseeing & Street Food Tour with Photos: $29
- Shinjuku Chef‐Led Night Food Tour — What Guides Don’t Show: $29
- Shinjuku 7-Dishes vegetarian dinner at a Japanese izakaya: $29
- For First Time Visitor：Tsukiji Food Tour with Tokyo Travel Advice: $32
- Guided Tsukiji’s Local Food Tour: $32
- Ueno Private Walking Tour and Night Food Tour: $38
- Authentic Homestyle Japanese Cooking Class near Tokyo with Risa: $39
- Private Yanaka District Walking & Food Tour: $44
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mandalay -Tokyo $65
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
- 1-night in Pyin Oo Lwin next day to Gokteik tour: $226
- 2 Days Private Tour in Mandalay: $176
- A Little Adventure Village Explore: $17
- Amarapura,Mingun,Sagaing,Innwa Sightseeing Tour: $110
- Amarapura,Sagaing,Innwa Sightseeing Tour: $95
- Amarapura,Sagging,Innwa/Ava Sightseeing: $75
- Ancient Cities, Pagodas, and Sunset Tour from Mandalay: $194
- Ancient City Tour in Mandalay: $70
- Day Trip Tour From Mandalay To Pyin Oo Lwin: $130
- Full Day Adventure: $153
- Full day Adventure Trip in Mandalay & Amarapura: $61
Tours and Activities in Tokyo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.
- Imperial Palace or Edo Castle Time Trip Learning Walking Tour: $3.16
- Tsukiji Market Early Morning Tour: $6.33
- Tokyo Walking Tour 2h15 and 19 audio reviews: $6.75
- Cross Roppongi Karaoke Nightclub Ticket (For Foreign): $6.76
- Tokyo Fuji Art Museum Admission Ticket + Special Exhibition (when being held): $7.61
- TOKYO Audio Guide Tour in The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace: $7.61
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Tokyo: $8.15
- Tokyo Metro Subway Ticket: $8.85
- Hidden Yanaka & Nezu: Authentic Old Tokyo Escape – Walking Tour: $9.51
- Tokyo / Shibuya / Yokohama Tours! Choose, Explore and Enjoy!: $10
- Shibuya drinking tour: $10
- Chiikawa Bakery Exploration with Shopping Ticket: $11
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMandalay -Tokyo $31
Typical Alcohol Prices in Tokyo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:
-
Sake$3.72
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: Unique Japanese Drinks in Shimokitazawa: $34
- Tokyo Pub Crawl: Unique Japanese Drinks in Shimokitazawa: $35
- 3 Hours Pub Crawl Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $35
- 3-Hour Tokyo Pub Crawl Nightlife Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $46
- Tokyo Sake Terroir Journey – Guided by Sake Brewery Professional: $89
- Mt. Fuji & Hakushu Distillery Whisky Museum Bus Tour from Tokyo: $89
- Tokyo Shinjuku Gay Bar Crawl with Drinks: $90
- Shibuya Bar Crawl Tour -3 Drinks & Local Foods-: $101
- Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and jump into historic town: $108
- Private Sake Tasting at 300 Years Old Sake Brewery in Tokyo: $121
- Sake Brewery and Spiritual Nature Tour in Okutama Tokyo: $130
- Private Shinjuku Nightlife Walking Tour & Golden-Gai Bar Crawl: $146
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.