Which place is cheaper, Xi'an or Antalya?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Antalya or Xi'an?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Antalya or Xi'an? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Antalya or Xi'an?
Antalya
Antalya is the largest city along Turkey's Mediterranean coast and the eighth largest city in the country with over one million people in the metropolitan area. The city dates back to about 200 BC when it was settled by the Attalid Dynasty of Pergamon and soon conquered by the Romans. The city was ruled by several different groups and most recently was transferred to Italian suzerainty following World War I. It became part of Turkey following the War of Independence. The city has seen an influx of development in recent years and it has grown into a tourism mecca with more than 12 million visitors in 2014.
Xi'an
Xi'an is an ancient city in the Shaanxi Province in China. Today it is most notable as the location of the Terracotta Warriors, but for visitors who choose to linger, there is so much more to see and do in the area. The city itself is more than 3,000 years old and for about one thousand years, through 13 dynasties and 73 emperors, it was the capital. Because of its rich history there are many historical ruins and a strong culture in the city. Today the city is a pleasant place to visit, although much of it's influence and power has dwindled. The city has both cosmopolitan and modern areas as well as historic and culturally rich areas. The neighborhoods are diverse and by exploring the city in depth you can learn a little more about what China really has to offer.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best Anzac Day Tours in Turkey, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAntalya $147Xi'an $94
The average daily cost (per person) in Antalya is $147, while the average daily cost in Xi'an is $94. 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 Antalya and Xi'an in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAntalya $55Xi'an $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAntalya $110Xi'an $120
Compare Hotels in Antalya and Xi'an
Looking for a hotel in Antalya or Xi'an? 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: Antalya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Antalya $110Xi'an $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antalya
Also for Antalya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Antalya Airport (AYT) to Turkler Transfer - Economy: $88
- Antalya Airport (AYT) to Turkler Transfer - TOP VIP Minibus: $132
- Antalya Airport (AYT) to Turkler Transfer - VIP Minibus: $117
- Antalya Airport (AYT) to Turkler Transfer - VIP Minivan: $103
- Private Transfer From Antalya Airport To Denizyaka / Gündoğdu / Çolaklı: $76
- Private Transfer From Antalya Airport To Titreyengöl / Sorgun: $91
- AYT - Konyaaltı | Private Transfer Between Antalya Airport: $38
- Adana Airport Transfers to Mersin Hotels: $115
- Adana Airport Transfers to Tarsus city Hotels: $82
- Airport Private Transfer from Antalya to Side/Belek/Kundu: $66
- Alanya City Tour, Boat Trip & Cable Car with Transfer from Side: $63
- Alanya/Mahmutlar: Private Transfer to/from Antalya Airport: $43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xi'an
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Xi'an:
- Xian Xianyang International Airport (XIY) Private Departure Transfer: $40
- Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) to Xian City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $57
- Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) to Xian City - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
- Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) to Xian - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $64
- Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) to Xian - Arrival Private Transfer: $32
- Xian Terracotta Warriors Tour with Airport Transfer: $176
- Xian Terracotta Warriors Museum Tour with Airport Transfer: $184
- Xian Best Day Tour with Airport / Railway Station Transfer: $132
- Xi’an Terracotta Warriors Private Round-Trip Transfer from City Area : $69
- Xi’an Railway Station Private Arrival Transfer to City Area: $29
- Xi'an Xianyang Airport Transfer Hotels: $38
- Xi'an Terracotta Army Tickets with Optional Guide/Transfer: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Antalya or Xi'an?
Prices for flights to both Xi'an and Antalya 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 dayAntalya $25Xi'an $12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antalya
For Antalya, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Turkish Tastes at Antalya Food Tour: $47
- Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show with Dinner: $73
- Full day trip to Pamukkale from Side with dinner: $104
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Xi'an
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Xi'an.
- Skip the Line: Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket & Dumpling Dinner or Royal Banquet: $32
- Dinner and Show of Tang Dynasty Palace in Xian: $40
- Private Home Cooking Class:Dumpling Cooking Class Tour in Xi'an: $50
- Xi'an Vegetarian Food Tour: $60
- Xi'an Food Tour by Tuk Tuk: $62
- Private Xi'an Food Tour: $65
- Private Xi’an Night & Food Tour by Tuk Tuk and Public Transportation: $67
- Private Old Xi'an Authentic Local Beer Dinner Tour: $68
- Xi'an Evening Food Tour by TukTuk: $69
- 4 Hours Food Tours in Xi'an: $72
- 3-Hour Biang Biang Noodles Cooking Class in Xi'an: $75
- Authentic Old Xi'an Back Street Food Tour : $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Antalya $46Xi'an $35
Tours and Activities in Antalya
For Antalya, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Antalya Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $3.23
- Bazaar Self-Guided Smartphone App Tour: $6.00
- Antalya Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.73
- Antalya Scavenger Hunt And Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.89
- Antalya Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Self-Guided Audio City Tour on Your Phone: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Antalya Sand Sculpture Museum Admission Ticket: $11
- Night City Tour At Antalya with Cabrio Bus: $12
- Sulu Island and Adrasan Bay: Boat Tour with Lunch: $13
- Full-Day Private Rafting Adventure in Karabük Türkiye: $13
Tours and Activities in Xi'an
Here are a few actual costs in Xi'an for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Group Tour to the Terra-cotta Warriors Museum & Lunch : $65
- #1 Bestselling Private Terracotta Army Tours + Customized Xian Tours: $109
- 1 Day Xian Group Tour: Terracotta Warriors & City Wall: $138
- 1-Day Private Tour: Mount Huashan With the Lunch from Xi'an: $190
- 1-Day Xi'an Terracotta Warriors Museum and Banpo Neolithic Village Museum Tour: $100
- 1-Day Xi'an Terracotta Warriors,Wild Goose Pagoda and Banpo Village Museum Tour: $100
- 1-Day Xi'an Tour with Wild Goose Pagoda, Shaanxi History Museum and City Wall : $100
- 1-Day Xi'an Tour with the Terracotta Warriors, Cave Dwelling and City Wall : $236
- 2 Days Beijing Xian Tour by Bullet Train with Hotel: $287
- 2-Day Classic Xi'an Tour Combo Package: Terracotta Warriors and Downtown Sightseeing: $234
- 2-Day Highlights Xi'an Private Tour Combo Package: Terracotta Warriors and City Sightseeing: $240
- 2-day Most Flexible Private Xian Complete Tour: $296
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAntalya $20Xi'an $7.23
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antalya and Xi'an, we can see that Antalya is more expensive. And not only is Xi'an much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Antalya is in Europe and Xi'an is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Xi'an would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Xi'an 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 Antalya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Antalya than you might in Xi'an.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Antalya Expensive? and Is Xi'an Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Antalya or Xi'an?
Xi'an has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Antalya. When comparing the sizes of Antalya and Xi'an, 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.