Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Ayutthaya?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ayutthaya or Harbin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ayutthaya or Harbin? 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: Ayutthaya or Harbin?
Ayutthaya
Once the largest city in the world, Ayutthaya, is the example of an ancient capital within a modern city. Located in the central plains of Thailand, this spot is ideally located between China, India and the Malay Archipelago creating the perfect place for trade in Asia. Eighteenth century maps from Holland and France show golden palaces, large ceremony spots and trading vessels from all over the world. Suddenly, in 1767, Ayutthaya experienced a tragic fall from grace with a Burmese invasion burning much of the city to the ground.
Harbin
Harbin, China is the northernmost major city in the country, with a population of over 10 million. Harbin was founded in 1897 by Russia, which has resulted in a lot of Russian influence throughout the city and many Russian citizens. The city is most famous for their annual International Snow and Ice Festival, a two-month-long festival running from January through February of each year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAyutthaya $71Harbin $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Ayutthaya is $71, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $56. 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 Ayutthaya and Harbin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAyutthaya $24Harbin $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAyutthaya $48Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Ayutthaya and Harbin
Looking for a hotel in Ayutthaya or Harbin? 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: Ayutthaya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ayutthaya $31Harbin $1.54
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ayutthaya
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ayutthaya are as follows:
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River Ferry Crossing$0.62
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ayutthaya
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ayutthaya:
- Transfer from Bangkok: $108
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Harbin Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer: $27
- Harbin Airport, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province Transfer Service: $27
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
- Harbin Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer: $40
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer, Pick up.: $59
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service , Harbin Airport Transfer,Pick up: $78
- Shared Night Transfer Service to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $85
- Private Transfer to China's Snow Town from Yabuli Ski Resort: $107
- Harbin Private Transfer from Harbin Airport (HRB) to central Harbin: $117
Is it cheaper to fly into Ayutthaya or Harbin?
Prices for flights to both Harbin and Ayutthaya 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 dayAyutthaya $23Harbin $14
Typical Food Prices in Ayutthaya
Some typical examples of dining costs in Ayutthaya are as follows:
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Lunch for 2$4.32
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Ice Cream$0.93
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Breakfast for 2$4.32
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Breakfast for 2$11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ayutthaya
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ayutthaya.
- Bangkok: VELA Dinner Cruise Ticket: $21
- Eat like a local Food tour, with small group: $69
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Harbin Private City and Food Tour: $200
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World with Dinner Options: $261
- Hot Spring Experience with Hot Pot Dinner in Harbin: $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ayutthaya $30Harbin $54
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ayutthaya
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Ayutthaya are as follows:
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Temple Entrances (2)$6.18
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Wat Entrance$1.54
Tours and Activities in Ayutthaya
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ayutthaya are as follows:
- App self-guided: Tour Bangkok, Thailand: $4.39
- Ayutthaya 1-day Private Tour : UNESCO World Heritage Site: $156
- Ayutthaya City and Historical Park Bike Tour: $39
- Ayutthaya Full-Day Tour with Bang Pa In (Summer Palace): $60
- Ayutthaya Private Guided Day Tour, 3 Historic Attractions: $134
- Ayutthaya Private Guided Day Tour, 4 Ancient Temples: $126
- Ayutthaya’s Heritage Revealed A Day Tour from Bangkok: $649
- Ancient City Temple Tour: $171
- Private 1 hour Boat tour Pa Sak River: $90
- UNESCO Heritage Temples and Cafe Day Tour: $69
- BKK: Ayutthaya Old Capital with 4 Famous Temple Private Tour: $149
- Bangkok: Ayutthaya Night Tour (Join Tour): $77
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Harbin Ice Festival /Harbin Ice and Snow World Entrance Ticket: $100
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $130
- 4-Hour Private Tour of the Largest Indoor Ice and Snow Paradise: $136
- Private Half Day City Tour including Russian Town and Harbin Ropeway Ride: $198
- Small Group Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $199
- Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
- Small Group Tour to Harbin Siberian Park Tiger: $200
- Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
- Private Harbin Ice Festival Night Tour: $209
- Private Half Day Tour to Unit 731 Museum and Sites in Harbin: $218
- Songhua River Boat Tour and Food Experience in Harbin: $230
- Revolving Restaurant Dining Experience at Harbin Dragon Tower: $250
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAyutthaya $20Harbin $8.05
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ayutthaya and Harbin, we can see that Ayutthaya is more expensive. And not only is Harbin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Harbin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Harbin 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 Ayutthaya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ayutthaya than you might in Harbin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ayutthaya Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ayutthaya or Harbin?
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Ayutthaya. When comparing the sizes of Ayutthaya and Harbin, 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.
When is the best time to visit Ayutthaya or Harbin?
Harbin has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Ayutthaya experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Ayutthaya or Harbin in the Summer?
Both Harbin and Ayutthaya during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ayutthaya because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Ayutthaya is a little warmer than Harbin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ayutthaya in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Harbin averages at about 24°C (75°F).
Harbin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya usually gets less rain in July than Harbin. Ayutthaya gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAyutthaya 29°C (84°F)Harbin 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Ayutthaya or Harbin in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ayutthaya and Harbin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ayutthaya year-round.
In October, Ayutthaya is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Ayutthaya average around 28°C (82°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
Ayutthaya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Ayutthaya usually receives more rain than Harbin. Ayutthaya gets 180 mm (7.1 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn. October to April in Ayutthaya is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Ayutthaya.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAyutthaya 28°C (82°F)Harbin 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Ayutthaya or Harbin in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Ayutthaya as well as Harbin. Ayutthaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Harbin can be very cold during winter. Ayutthaya is much warmer than Harbin in the winter. The daily temperature in Ayutthaya averages around 25°C (78°F) in January, and Harbin fluctuates around -18°C (-0°F).
Ayutthaya usually gets more rain in January than Harbin. Ayutthaya gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAyutthaya 25°C (78°F)Harbin -18°C (-0°F)
Should I visit Ayutthaya or Harbin in the Spring?
Both Harbin and Ayutthaya are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ayutthaya throughout the year.
The heat can be very extreme in Ayutthaya. In the spring, Ayutthaya is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ayutthaya in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Harbin averages at about 8°C (46°F).
In April, Ayutthaya usually receives more rain than Harbin. Ayutthaya gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Ayutthaya is October to April. The rainy season in Ayutthaya is May to October.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAyutthaya 31°C (88°F)Harbin 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Harbin and Ayutthaya
| Ayutthaya | Harbin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (78°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 30°C (85°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (85°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 292 mm (11.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 180 mm (7.1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
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.