A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bandung vs. Guangzhou for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bandung or Guangzhou?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Bandung or Guangzhou? 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: Bandung or Guangzhou?

Bandung

Bandung is the capital city of West Java, and the third largest city in Indonesia after Jakarta and Surabaya. Nicknamed Parijs van Java (Paris of Java) by the Dutch for its resemblance to Paris and European atmosphere back in colonial times, Bandung also earned another nickname as Kota Kembang, literally meaning the Flower City since Bandung used to have a lot of flowers. Nowadays, Bandung has become a very popular weekend escape for Jakartans, who crowd the city on weekends and national holidays. It's known for colonial and art deco architecture, a lively, university-town feel and relatively cool tropical weather. Bandung is also a shopping destination, with fashion outlets clustered along Jalan Setiabudi and Jalan Riau in the Dago district. The city also make a good base for day trips to the surrounding countryside - high volcanic peaks, hot springs, and tea plantations are all within reach.

Guangzhou

With a population of more than 12 million, Guangzhou is the third largest city in China after Beijing and Shanghai. Though it has a long history, founded in 214 BC, the city has also many modern attractions, a mix of the old and new with temples and parks as well as skyscrapers and shopping centers. Its location on the Pearl River has contributed to this growth, making Guangzhou a major port and commercial hub.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, and The Best 2-Week Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Guangzhou or Bandung?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bandung is $40, while the average daily cost in Guangzhou is $89. 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 Bandung and Guangzhou in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bandung $21
    Guangzhou $57
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bandung $42
    Guangzhou $114
Compare Hotels in Bandung and Guangzhou

Looking for a hotel in Bandung or Guangzhou? 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.

Hotels in Bandung


Hotels in Guangzhou


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: Bandung Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bandung $5.76
    Guangzhou $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bandung

Also for Bandung, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Bandung Airport BDO to Bandung or Lembang Round Trip Transfer: $54
  • Bandung Airport BDO to Cipanas Thermal Resorts Arrival Transfer: $47
  • Bandung or Lembang to Jakarta Airport CGK Departure Transfer: $63
  • Private Bandung Airport to Cipanas Thermal Round Trip Transfer: $93
  • Private Transfer Bandung Airport (BDO) to Braga: $35
  • Private Transfer Bandung Airport (BDO) to Ciburial: $35
  • Private Transfer Bandung Airport (BDO) to Cikole: $35
  • Private Transfer Bandung Airport (BDO) to Cileunyi: $46
  • Private Transfer Bandung Airport (BDO) to Citarum: $35
  • Private Transfer Bandung Airport (BDO) to Ciumbuleuit: $35
  • Private Transfer Bandung Airport (BDO) to Dago: $35
  • Private Transfer Bandung Airport (BDO) to Hegarmanah: $35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guangzhou

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guangzhou:

  • Zhuhai City Private Arrival Transfer from Guangzhou Baiyun Int'l Airport : $108
  • Private Transfer: Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to Guangzhou Nan Railway Station: $38
  • Private Transfer from Guangzhou South Railway Station to Baiyun Airport : $53
  • Private Transfer from Guangzhou Int Airport (CAN) to Shekou Port: $68
  • Private Transfer from Guangzhou City Center to South Railway Station: $49
  • Private Transfer from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to Guangzhou Hotel: $88
  • Private Transfer between Guangzhou and Shenzhen City Area: $104
  • Private Transfer between Guangzhou Baiyun Mountain and City Area: $44
  • Private Guided Guangzhou Pearl River Cruise Tour With Hotel Transfer: $109
  • Private Baiyun Airport Transfer to Guangzhou Railway or East Railway Station: $49
  • Private Arrival Transfer in English-speaking: Airport to Hotel: $99
  • Pearl River Night Cruise with Private Transfers in Guangzhou: $129

Is it cheaper to fly into Bandung or Guangzhou?

Prices for flights to both Guangzhou and Bandung 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Bandung $14
    Guangzhou $19

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guangzhou

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guangzhou.

  • Guangzhou Evening Food Tour Through Local Neighborhood: $65
  • Guangzhou Night View Cruise Tour with Dinner: $90
  • Private Guangzhou Night Tour VIP Cruise and Dim-Sum Dinner Option: $146
  • 3-Hour Guangzhou Private Cooking Class with Local Market Visit : $165
  • Private Guangzhou Night Tour with Canton Tower and Dim-Sum Dinner: $176
  • Private Guangzhou Food Tour Michelin Restaurant&Local Food Market: $180
  • Private Guangzhou Food Tour Yumcha and Local Food Market Explore: $180
  • Guangzhou Private Night Tour: Lychee Bay, Beijing Road, Cruise, Dinner: $204

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bandung $5.67
    Guangzhou $18

Tours and Activities in Bandung

For Bandung, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Kawah Rengganis Private Hiking and Glamping Lakeside Tour from Bandung: $41
  • Private Guided Sightseeing Day Tour of Bandung: $43
  • Private Guided Sightseeing Day Tour of Bandung: $45
  • Kawah Putih Private Tour and Angklung Performance: $45
  • Kawah Putih tour - Day trip Ticket etc all including : $48
  • Bandung:Kawah Putih,Volcano,HotSpring,Mud Bathing,Lake Tour: $50
  • Lembang Tour From Bandung: $51
  • Kawah Putih Tour From Bandung City: $58
  • Tangkuban Parahu Volcano North Bandung Private Tour : $62
  • White Crater Day Trip Private Tour Bandung Kawah Putih All In: $63
  • Private Rafting Adventure in Pangalengan with Lunch: $63
  • Volcano, Hot Spring, Mud Bathing, & Lake Tour: $64

Tours and Activities in Guangzhou

Here are a few actual costs in Guangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Guangzhou Self-Guided Tour with Private Car and Driver Service: $75
  • Liuxihe National Forest Park Private Day Tour from Guangzhou: $266
  • Private Tour of Foshan: The Ancestral Temple and Other Options from Guangzhou : $167
  • 1 Day Historical Guangzhou Layover Tour from Airport: $260
  • 4 Hours Half Day Guangzhou Airport Layover Visa-Free Private Tour: $180
  • 4-Hour Baiyun Mountain Yuntai Garden Private Guangzhou City Tour: $180
  • 5-Hour Sai Kwan Walking Tour with Unique Food Tasting: $72
  • AAAAA Top National Natural Preserve Dinghu Mountain Private Tour: $300
  • All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Lotus Hill and Shawan Old Town from Guangzhou: $229
  • Ancient Foshan Day Tour from Guangzhou: $201
  • Best of Guangzhou City Sightseeing: $110
  • Big Buddha Mountain Martial Art Culture Countryside Private Tour: $220

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bandung $3.46
    Guangzhou $14


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bandung and Guangzhou, we can see that Guangzhou is more expensive. And not only is Bandung much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bandung would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bandung 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 Guangzhou would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guangzhou than you might in Bandung.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bandung Expensive? and Is Guangzhou Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bandung or Guangzhou?

Guangzhou has a larger population, and is about 85% larger than the population of Bandung. When comparing the sizes of Bandung and Guangzhou, 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.