Which place is cheaper, Mandalay or Udaipur?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Udaipur or Mandalay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Udaipur and Mandalay. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Udaipur or Mandalay?
Udaipur
Udaipur, also known as the "Venice of the East," is becoming increasingly popular as an Indian wedding destination as well as with travelers searching for a romantic and picturesque city, rich with history, scenic areas, and palaces.
The "City of Lakes" is located in south of Rajasthan. There are a total of ten lakes in the lake system, which are connected and sustain water for drinking, irrigation and industrial use, which contributes to another reason for Udaipur's booming tourism: alcohol.
Udaipur has ideal climate and available water to support a liquor plant while a number of other Indian states ban the consumption of liquor altogether. Many local tourists, such as those from the neighboring dry state of Gujarat on the west, visit Udaipur specifically for this reason, especially considering that Gujarati alcohol prices are much higher and liquor must be purchased through the black market. It's no wonder why Udaipur is the destination for celebrations and vacation.
Udaipur has tropical weather and three main seasons, which are summer, monsoon, and winter. Winter, which takes place between September to March, is the most pleasant time to visit for sunny and warm days and cool nights.
Udaipur was also made famous in the James Bond film Octopussy. Several local hotels show the film nightly.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India, and The Best Adventure Tours to India.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayUdaipur $33Mandalay $15
The average daily cost (per person) in Udaipur is $33, while the average daily cost in Mandalay is $15. 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 Udaipur and Mandalay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personUdaipur $16Mandalay $8.65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomUdaipur $32Mandalay $17
Compare Hotels in Udaipur and Mandalay
Looking for a hotel in Udaipur or Mandalay? 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: Udaipur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Udaipur $6.98Mandalay -
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Udaipur
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Udaipur:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$0.48
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Udaipur
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Udaipur:
- Airport Transfer: Maharana Pratap Airport to Hotels in Udaipur: $22
- Dilwara Temples & Mount Abu: Private Day Trip with Transfer: $105
- From Udaipur : Private Transfer To Jaipur Via Pushkar: $85
- From Udaipur : Private Transfer To Mount Abu: $48
- From Udaipur : Private Transfer To Ranthmbore: $118
- From Udaipur Transfer To Jaisalmer Via Ranakpur Jain Temple: $101
- From Half Day tour of Udaipur with Transfers: $80
- From Private Transfer to Delhi, Jaipur, or Pushkar: $180
- Guided Tour to Kumbhalgarh on Udaipur to Ranakpur Transfer: $61
- Jagmandir Island And Sunset Boat Ride On Lake Pichola, Udaipur Without Transfers: $146
- Jodhpur To Udaipur Transfer: $85
- Jodhpur to Udaipur one Way Transfer: $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mandalay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mandalay:
- 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
- From Private Transfer to Bagan: $150
- Inle Lake Land transfer from Mandalay: $213
- Inle [Heho] Airport Private Transfer : $46
- 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Udaipur or Mandalay?
Prices for flights to both Mandalay and Udaipur 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 dayUdaipur $11Mandalay $5.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Udaipur
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Udaipur.
- Private Traditional Dinner with an Indian Family in Udaipur: $8.99
- 4-Hour Indian Food Cooking Class with full Meals: $12
- Enjoyable,homely & mom 's delicious cooking classes: $16
- Durga Cooking Class: $17
- mamta cooking class awarded by tripadvisor : $23
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $25
- Culinary Adventure: Make Pizza, Sip Wine At Royal Repast: $39
- Secret Cooking Session with the bheel Tribe: $44
- 3 Hours Indian Cooking Session at Local Home (Udaipur): $50
- Private Rajasthani Cooking Class in an Udaipur Home: $51
- Jodhpur to Osian camel safari / Dinner At Dhani: $60
- Jodhpur, Osian camel ride &Dinner At Dhani (country side): $60
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Udaipur $10Mandalay -
Typical Entertainment Prices in Udaipur
Here are a few typical costs in Udaipur for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Palace Entrance Fee$1.20
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Lake Boat Tour$2.39
Tours and Activities in Udaipur
Here are a few actual costs in Udaipur for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private Udaipur Sightseeing Tour by Tuk-Tuk or Car with Driver: $7.99
- Udaipur Half Day City Tour by Tuk Tuk: $9.60
- Jaipur: Immerse yourself in a full day private tour by tuk-tuk: $9.83
- Udaipur Night Walk (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $9.83
- Udaipur Walking Tour(2 Hours Guided Walk): $9.83
- Experience Indian Food: Learn To Cook with Rekha with full meals: $11
- Non Touristy Walk, old city & local market walking tour: $11
- Local Market Walking Tour: $11
- Udaipur Guided sightseeing Tour in Three wheeled Tuk Tuk : $12
- Udapiur: Night Walking Tour: $13
- Guided Night Walking Tour in Udaipur - Explore the best nightlife with a local: $13
- Lake city loop countryside bike tours: $13
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
- Morning Cycling Tour in Mandalay: $35
- Private Tour in Mandalay and Amarapura: $41
- Private Full-Day Mandalay Heritage Charter Car Tour: $45
- Mandalay Half-Day Tour: $45
- Half-Day Private Tour to Mingun: $48
- Mandalay Half-Day Sightseeing: $53
- Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $53
- Mandalay Full-Day Tour: $60
- Mandalay Fullday Sightseeing: $65
- Half day to Mandalay city tour: $65
- Private Full-Day Sightseeing Tour: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayUdaipur $8.92Mandalay -
Sample the Local Flavors in Udaipur
Also in Udaipur, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Uaipur (3 Hours Guided Nightlife Experience): $20
- Pub Crawl Udaipur (3 Hours Guided Nightlife Experience): $35
- 3-Hour Pub Crawl: $39
- Pub Crawl Udaipur: $39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Udaipur and Mandalay, we can see that Udaipur 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 Udaipur would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Udaipur 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 Udaipur Expensive? and Is Mandalay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Udaipur or Mandalay?
Mandalay has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Udaipur. When comparing the sizes of Udaipur and Mandalay, 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.