In this Jiangsu travel cost guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to plan your travel budget and have an amazing trip without spending too much. This Jiangsu trip cost calculator includes average trip costs from thousands of previous travelers, along with typical hotel prices, food and dining costs, entertainment and sightseeing prices, and information about transportation. Jiangsu is an exciting destination known for its beauty, culture, food, and exciting activities, and you don't want to miss out on anything because you did't plan your budget.
How much does it cost to travel to Jiangsu?
A typical traveler spends $122 (¥830) per day on a trip to Jiangsu. This is the average daily price for a vacation in Jiangsu based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $53 (¥362) on meals
- $46 (¥315) on local transportation
- $84 (¥570) on hotels
A one-week trip to Jiangsu for two people costs, on average, $1,709 (¥11,620). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from thousands of other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Is Jiangsu expensive to visit?
In Jiangsu, budget travelers spend $52 (¥355) per day on average, mid-range travelers spend $123 (¥830) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $253 (¥1,708) per day. These costs are calculated from the reported expenses of previous travelers to Jiangsu.
Jiangsu is a small yet captivating destination that lures visitors with differing travel styles, spending levels, and budgetary preferences. Budget-conscious travelers will find suitable hotel options, but there are also high-end hotels for those seeking luxury, plus mid-range accommodations for families or couples.
You can find Jiangsu to be very expensive if you're not careful, but methods like looking for discounts and coupons can help you save money.
Within Asia, Jiangsu is a somewhat more expensive destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Asia for its travel costs. While some cities in the region are more expensive, Jiangsu is generally more expensive than most.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Jiangsu Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Jiangsu?
The average Jiangsu trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Jiangsu travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Jiangsu cost?
Jiangsu on a Budget
|
Category
|
Budget
|
Mid-Range
|
Luxury
|
Accommodation1
For 1 person in double occupancy
|
$18
(¥121)
|
$42
(¥285)
|
$88
(¥597)
|
|
Local Transportation1
|
$19
(¥130)
|
$46
(¥315)
|
$105
(¥714)
|
|
Food2
|
$23
(¥157)
|
$53
(¥362)
|
$104
(¥708)
|
|
Entertainment1
|
$4
(¥29)
|
$10
(¥66)
|
$19
(¥127)
|
|
Alcohol2
|
$2-6
(¥13-39)
|
$4-13
(¥30-91)
|
$9-28
(¥62-187)
|
Accommodation Budget in Jiangsu
Jiangsu has a wide range of hotel prices. Luxury hotels come with higher price tags and better amenities, and prices are much steeper during peak season. On average, a room costs $ in the off-season and averages $ during peak season. Overall, you can expect prices from $ to $. Hostels, especially dorms, are cheaper alternatives. You can save by traveling in the low season, booking in advance, or looking for special offers.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Jiangsu for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $84 (¥570). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $42 (¥285) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Jiangsu? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Choosing to travel in the shoulder or low season and avoiding will help you save on lodging costs and escape the tourist rush.
Transportation Budget in Jiangsu
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, past travelers have spent $46 (¥315) per person, per day, on local transportation in Jiangsu. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Jiangsu is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$46
¥315
By plane, Nanjing Lukou Airport is international, with many domestic flights and also flights to and from cities including Hong Kong, Macao, and Seoul. The next nearest largest international airport is probably Shanghai to the south, just outside of the province. Between the two, Nanjing and Shanghai have a number of domestic and international flights.
By rail, high speed CRH trains connect Hangzhou and Shanghai to cities in Jiangsu including Suzhou, Wuxi, Changzhou, and Nanjing.
Jiangsu is also well connected by highways and expressways. Every day, there are plenty of buses that depart from major cities like Nanjing, Suzhou, and Wuxi, heading for Shanghai, Hangzhou, Zhouzhuang, and Tongli.
Due to an extensive network of lakes, rivers, and canals, it is also easy to navigate by boat. The most famous bodies of water include the Yangtze River, the Grand Canal, as well as about 300 lakes, among which Taihu Lake and Hongze Lake are best known.
How much does it cost to go to Jiangsu? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Jiangsu will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Jiangsu
Cuisine often serves as a primary motivation for travel, so make sure to indulge in the local dishes.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Jiangsu can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Jiangsu is $53 (¥362) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$53
¥362
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Jiangsu is around $54 (¥362) per person, with previous travelers spending from $23 to $105. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Jiangsu are as follows:
- Breakfast: $5 to $16
- Lunch: $8 to $21
- Dinner: $16 to $37
- Coffee: $4
- Fast Food or Street Food: $8
Jiangsu cuisine, sometimes abbreviated Su cuisine, is one of the Eight Culinary Traditions of Chinese cuisine. It is characterized by soft textures, and an abundance of fish with the province's proximity to waterways. Ingredients, flavors, and presentation of each dish also depend highly on the seasons. This style of cooking can also be subdivided into slight variations. Nanjing cuisine, for example, emphasizes an even taste and matching color, with dishes incorporating river fish, shrimp, and duck. Suzhou cooking focuses on the selection of material, a stronger taste than Nanjing cuisine, and a tendency to be sweeter than the other varieties. And then there is Wuxi cuisine, characterized by the addition of sugar and soy sauce. Its proximity to Taihu Lake also makes popular the "three whites"-white bait, white fish, and white shrimp. Some notable dishes include braised spare ribs, fried gluten balls, ji-yu (a freshwater fish) soup, and ji-yu with fried shallots. An overall fertile region, Jiangsu cooking also boasts local ingredients with yields of rice, wheat, maize and other crops which include soybeans, peanuts, tea, peppermint, spearmint, apples, pears, peaches, loquat, gingko, and herbs.
Numerous hotels offer breakfast as part of the room rate, but some might charge extra for it. The cost and quality can differ from one hotel to another. Being aware of this beforehand can help you determine if you need to allocate additional funds. It could be worth it for a fantastic buffet at the hotel, or you might want to opt for a nearby bakery or cafe that's more budget-friendly.
Fill a water bottle rather than purchasing drinks constantly. It's a smart and eco-friendly choice.
If you're thinking about taking a tour, it's wise to check in advance which meals are covered. You may need to cover some of your own food costs, which could increase your overall budget.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Jiangsu
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Jiangsu typically cost an average of $9.72 (¥66) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$9.72
¥66
Najiang, the capital of the province, is best known for sights including the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, Dr. Sun-Yat Sen's Mausoleum, as well as the Qinhai River and Confucius Temple. Xiaoling Mausoleum of Ming Dynasty (Mingxiaoling) is one of the biggest imperial tombs in China, lying at the southern foot of the Purple Mountain. It is renowned for its magnificent size and unique design. Dr. Sun-Yat Sen's Mausoleum is also impressive, with admirable architecture and scenery memorializing the resting place the father of the Republic of China. The Confucius Temple, dedicated to the ancient Chinese philosopher, sits on the banks of the Qinhar River, a branch of the Yangtze. The Nanjing City Wall and Zhonghua gate are also worthwhile.
Suzhou is very much known for its gardens, water towns, historic sites, and scenery. Of the gardens, The Humble Administrator's Garden is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and counted among China's famous classical gardens. It is the largest garden in Suzhou and is exemplary of Chinese landscape design with interlacing bridges, pavilions, bonsai, and a teahouse. The Lingering Garden is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as is the Master of the Nets Garden and the Lion Grove Garden. Tiger Hill is also a place of enormous importance historically and culturally, known for the Yunyan Pagoda (also called Huqiu Tower). This thousand-year-old landmark signifies the burial place of a king whose tomb is embedded in the legend of a white tiger who guards it.
Beyond the major sights of the Jiangsu Province, there are also a number of ways to experience the local culture. Traditional performances are held in almost any city, while visitors can experience first-hand authentic day-to-day life in old villages like the water town of Zhouzhuang. Other activities include indulging in the local cuisine, as well as shopping which ranges from department stores and shopping centers to smaller local markets. Museums are also a good way to gain insight into the local art, history, and culture. The Suzhou Silk Museum, for example, invites guests to watch the artisans hard at work, beginning with harvesting the silk (from silkworm to cocoons), and moving on to preparing the silk and spinning the thread.
Nightlife Budget in Jiangsu
Calculated from travelers like you
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The average person spends about $8.94 (¥61) on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Jiangsu per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
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Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$8.94
¥61
Sure, nightlife is part of the adventure, but cutting down on cocktails can make a surprising difference in your travel budget.
Travel cost data last updated: May 27, 2026
Traveling in Jiangsu
Suzhou, China
Jiangsu is a coastal province of China located just north of Shanghai. With a landscape abundant in lakes, rivers, and canals the region is extremely fertile, known for its quaint water towns and classical Chinese gardens. Its capital, Nanjing, dates back to the first dynasty period and is the birthplace of Wu culture.
Regions
Some of the province's major cities include the capital of Nanjing, Suzhou, and a number of ancient water towns like Zhouzhuang, Tongli, and Luzhi. Nanjing is a renowned historical and cultural city and was the capital of several dynasties over the course of Chinese history. Some of its most popular features include the Xiaoling Mausoleum of Ming Dynasty, Linggu Temple, Confucius Temple, and Purple Mountain. Suzhou is famed for its beautiful gardens and traditional waterside architecture, featuring elaborate canals and bridges. Located on the Yangtze Delta, the city consists largely of waterways making Suzhou a kind of "Venice of the Orient." It is also a hub for scholars, artists, and skilled craftsmen. The water towns of Jiangsu province are some of the oldest and most charming in the world with little bridges over murmuring brooks and rustic cottages along stone-paved streets, all amidst narrow canals which are important to local culture. Zhouzhuang, a landmark water town that dates back to the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, is one such place where the winding canals are essential to everyday life. Other cities include Changzhou, Xuzhou, Wuxi, and Zhenjiang, amongst a few more.
Related:
Looking for a hostel in China?
Traveling alone to Beijing or Hong Kong or want to party in Shanghai?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
It's important to set realistic expectations for your travel budget. Many assume they can get by cheaply in Jiangsu, but most people don't enjoy traveling on a very tight budget. Think about how you like to travel, and whether you prefer resorts, hostels, or vacation rentals. Do activities like sightseeing and dining out matter to you? These factors will help shape your travel budget.
The Truth on Budget Travel
You may believe you're traveling on a budget, but unless you're ready to give up some conveniences, you'll likely spend much more than the $52 daily average that backpackers get away with.
Younger budget travelers often stick to this low budget by staying in dorms, eating inexpensive meals, taking public transportation, and focusing on free activities and sights.
Do You Identify as an Average Traveler?
If you're a couple or a family traveling for fun, you'll likely want to stay in a mid-range hotel, eat at popular restaurants, and visit the major museums and attractions which have entry fees. Visitors to Jiangsu typically prioritize the major attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks during their stay. Most activities cost money, after all. Therefore, it's realistic to expect your actual daily budget to be closer to $123 per person, per day.
Seeking a Stylish Getaway from the Daily Routine?
If you're looking for an all encompassing trip with every amenity and a higher level of service, then prepare yourself for a price tag closer to $253 per day. To stay in a nicer hotel, eat at award winning restaurants, splurge on extravagant excursions, and take taxis or private drivers to get around the destination, you'll need to be prepared for a more "luxury" set of prices.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
