Which place is cheaper, Xi'an or Bali?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bali or Xi'an?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bali and Xi'an can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Bali or Xi'an?
Bali
Known as the "Island of the Gods," it's not difficult to see why the Gods would want to set up shop in Bali. With a beautifully diverse landscape of hills, mountains, coastlines, beaches, vibrant rice fields and volcanic hillsides, you'll easily go into sensory overload.
Bali is home to 4 million people who all hold true to a deeply spiritual and unique culture. With champion surfing, world class resorts and challenging hiking trails, this Indonesian island accommodates travelers from every walk of life. It's often called, "paradise on earth, " and no one disagrees.
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 The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, 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 dayBali $72Xi'an $94
The average daily cost (per person) in Bali is $72, 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 Bali and Xi'an in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBali $41Xi'an $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBali $82Xi'an $120
Compare Hotels in Bali and Xi'an
Looking for a hotel in Bali 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: Bali Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bali $8.96Xi'an $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bali
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bali:
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Motorbike Rental$3.08
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bali
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bali:
- BALI PARAGLIDING Fly, Swing and Soaring above the sea with private transfer: $103
- Bali DPS Airport Private Transfer from-to Nusa Dua: $23
- Bali DPS Airport Private Transfer from-to Uluwatu & South Kuta: $31
- Bali Massage with Transfer to International Bali Airport (DPS): $58
- Bali Parasailing Adventure with Including Hotel Transfer: $45
- Bali Parasailing Adventure,Banana Boat,Jet Ski and Donut Boat with Transfers: $59
- Bali Spa Treatment with Airport Transfers (Departure): $56
- Bali Tours 4U Airport and Seaport transfers. 24 hours a day.: $21
- Bali Water Sport : Sea Walker,Donut Boat and Banana Boat with Hotel Transfers: $64
- Bali and Nusa Penida: Fast Boat Transfers: $29
- Bali and Trawangan: Fastboat with Optional Bali Transfer: $47
- Bali to/from Gili Air: Fast Boat with Optional Bali Transfer: $47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xi'an
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Xi'an:
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Xi'an Central Train Station: $21
- Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) to Xian City - Arrival Private Transfer: $29
- Xian City to Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
- Private Airport Transfer:Xi'an Xianyang International Airport to Xi'an Hotel: $29
- Xi’an Xianyang International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area: $29
- Private Departure Transfer:Xi'an City Hotel to Any Xi'an Railway Station: $30
- Xi'an Terracotta Army Tickets with Optional Guide/Transfer: $30
- Xi'an North Railway Station Transfer To Downtown Hotel: $30
- Private High-speed Train Arrival Transfer: Xi'an Bei (North) Station to Hotel: $30
- Xi'an Hotels Transfer Xi'an Xianyang Airport: $31
- Bullet Train Station Transfer Service: $31
- Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) to Xian - Arrival Private Transfer: $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Bali or Xi'an?
Prices for flights to both Xi'an and Bali 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 dayBali $20Xi'an $12
Typical Food Prices in Bali
Some typical examples of dining costs in Bali are as follows:
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Coffee$1.23
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Lunch for Two$14
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Bali Cafe for Two$27
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Lunch for Two$8.00
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Lunch for 2$8.86
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Dinner for 2$9.72
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bali
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bali.
- Romantic Seafood Dinner under sunset jimbaran Beach: $30
- Private Tour Uluwatu Sunset Kecak Dance and Dinner at Jimbaran: $31
- Ubud: Balinese Cooking Class at an Organic Farm: $32
- Pirate Dinner Cruise with Shows, Games, and Music: $33
- From Ubud: Authentic Cooking Class in a Local Village: $35
- Ubud Food Tour : Explore Traditional Night Market: $35
- Romantic Seafood Dinner at Jimbaran: $38
- Spice Garden, Jamu & Cooking Class in Bali Village: $45
- Seminyak: Balinese Cooking Class & Market Tour: $45
- Bali Famous Beach, Kecak Dance, Uluwatu Temple, Sunset, Dinner: $45
- Bali Street Food Tour: $45
- Bali's Best Sunset: Uluwatu Kecak Dance & Dinner Jimbaran Beach: $50
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
- Xian Muslim Quarter: 2-Hour Small Group Walking Food Tour : $36
- Tang Dynasty Dinner Show with Private transfer: $55
- Half-day Xi'an Biang Biang Noodles Cooking Class with Spice Market Visit: $65
- Private Xi'an Food Tour: $65
- Xi'an Evening Food Tour by TukTuk: $69
- 4 Hours Food Tours in Xi'an: $72
- Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show and Dumpling Dinner with Hotel Transfer: $76
- Half-day Xi'an Steamed Buns(Baozi) Cooking Class with Market Visit: $78
- Xi'an Authentic Food Tour with Local Beverages: $80
- Biang Biang Noodles Cooking Experience: $80
- Private Xi’an Night & Food Tour by Tuk Tuk and Public Transportation: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bali $11Xi'an $35
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bali
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bali are as follows:
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Spa for Two$54
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Snorkelling Trip$12
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Cooking School$28
Tours and Activities in Bali
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bali are as follows:
- Bali Water Sports Adventure: $7.89
- Bali Tanjung Benoa Water Sport Adventure: $8.34
- Bali Bird Park 1-Day Admission Ticket: $8.98
- Best of Ubud Full Day Private Guided Tour: $11
- Private Tour to New Indonesia Urban Destination: $13
- Kecak and Fire Dance Ticket at Uluwatu Temple: $14
- Uluwatu Temple Tour with Optional Kecak Dance Ticket: $15
- Uluwatu Temple Kecak Fire Dance Private Guided Tour: $17
- Watersport activity Ocean walker, Parasailing Adventure & Banana Boat: $18
- Tanah Lot Temple Guided Tour: $18
- All-Inclusive White Water Rafting Adventure in Ubud: $19
- Bali Nusa Dua Theatre: Devdan Show Tickets: $19
Tours and Activities in Xi'an
Here are a few actual costs in Xi'an for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Xi'an Virtual Tour: Emperor Qin Shi Huang and His Terracotta Army: $15
- 6 Hour Bus Tour: From Xi'an to Terra Cotta Warriors Museum Round Trip (8:30am): $20
- Terra-cotta Warriors Entrance Ticket with Optional Guided Service: $26
- Terracotta Army Ticket: $28
- Terracotta Warriors Tickets Booking: $28
- Terracotta Army Tickets Booking: $28
- Terracotta Army Tickets Booking: $28
- Terracotta Warriors 5-Hour Private Tour w/ Pickup: $30
- Group Bus Tour to Terracotta Warriors with Hotel Pickup & Lunch: $35
- Tang Dynasty Palace Show Tickets Booking: $37
- Half Day Walking Tour around Xi'an Peaceful Old Downtown Area: $38
- Xi'an Religions Tour: $45
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBali $3.17Xi'an $7.20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bali and Xi'an, we can see that Xi'an is more expensive. And not only is Bali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bali 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 Xi'an would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Xi'an than you might in Bali.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bali Expensive? and Is Xi'an Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bali or Xi'an?
Xi'an has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Bali. When comparing the sizes of Bali 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.