Which place is cheaper, Shenzhen or Bandung?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bandung or Shenzhen?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Bandung or Shenzhen? 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 Shenzhen?
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.
Shenzhen
Located in the Guangdong Province of southeastern China, Shenzhen is a metropolis that connects Hong Kong to China's mainland. It is one of China's most populous cities, inhabited by vast array of people from other Chinese regions. It is perhaps best known for it shopping, collection of amusement parks, green parks, museums and galleries, and a few historic sites. It is on UNESCO's Creative Cities list.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, and The Best Cultural Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBandung $41Shenzhen $127
The average daily cost (per person) in Bandung is $41, while the average daily cost in Shenzhen is $127. 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 Shenzhen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBandung $22Shenzhen $92
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBandung $44Shenzhen $184
Compare Hotels in Bandung and Shenzhen
Looking for a hotel in Bandung or Shenzhen? 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: Bandung Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bandung $6.00Shenzhen $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bandung
Also for Bandung, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Villa Istana Bunga to Bandung Airport (BDO): $36
- Private Transfer from Tamansari to Bandung Airport (BDO): $36
- Private Transfer from Sumber to Kertajati Airport (KJT): $172
- Private Transfer from Sukatani permai to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $69
- Private Transfer from Sukatani Purwakarta Regency to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $112
- Private Transfer from Sukatani Cikarang to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $69
- Private Transfer from Sukatani Bekasi to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $51
- Private Transfer from Sukaresmi, Sukamakmur, Bogor to Jakarta Airport (CGK): $95
- Private Transfer from Sukaresmi Sukamakmur Bogor to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $95
- Private Transfer from Sukaresmi Garut Regency to Jakarta Airport (CGK): $172
- Private Transfer from Sukaresmi Cianjur Regency to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $112
- Private Transfer from Sukaresmi Bandung to Jakarta Airport (CGK): $112
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shenzhen
Also for Shenzhen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- [Airport Transfer] Shenzhen Airport 送 迎 Shenzhen City Transfer High reputation for service! : $32
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Hong Kong APT-HTL (HKG): $79
- Transfers anywhere in Hong Kong: $141
- Shenzhen to Shenzhen Airport (SZX) - Departure Private Transfer: $48
- Shenzhen Private Transfer from Shenzhen central to Shenzhen Bao'an Airport (SZX): $81
- Shenzhen Private Transfer from Shenzhen Bao'an Airport (SZX) to central Shenzhen: $81
- Shenzhen Int Airport (SZX) to Shenzhen - Arrival Private Transfer: $48
- Shenzhen Bao'an Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Center: $49
- Shenzhen Airport (SZX): Private Transfer to/from Shenzhen: $48
- Shenzhen Airport (SZX) to Round Trip Private Transfer: $96
- Shenzhen Airport (SZX) to Guangzhou - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $107
- Private Transfer: Hong Kong City to Hong Kong Airport HKG in Business Car: $119
Is it cheaper to fly into Bandung or Shenzhen?
Prices for flights to both Shenzhen 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
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Food Meals for one dayBandung $15Shenzhen $20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bandung
For Bandung, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bandung Food Tour: $67
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Vegetarian Food Tour: $79
- Wet market tour & cooking class with local mum: $92
- Hong Kong Guided Dinner + Laser Show Lounge Entry (2023) | 200+ booked : $101
- Hong Kong Food Tour: Central and Sheung Wan Districts: $108
- Secret Food Tour With the Locals in Tin Hau Hong Kong w/ Private Tour Option: $109
- Small Group Local Market Walking Tour and Chinese Cooking Class in Hong Kong: $132
- Hong Kong Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $140
- Private Food Tour With the Locals in Hong Kong: $146
- Traditional Chinese Pun Choi cooking class in Hong Kong: $147
- Hong Kong Food Tour with a Local: A Feast for Foodies 100% Personalized: $168
- Kowloon Street Food Tour with a Local: 100% Personalized & Private: $168
- Kowloon Night Street Food Tour with a Local: Private & Customized: $187
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bandung $5.90Shenzhen $17
Tours and Activities in Bandung
For Bandung, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3D 2N GOLDEN ROUTE TOUR PACKAGE [ Bandung - Garut - Pangandaran ] All include: $285
- BANDUNG : MAKE CUSTOMIZED TOUR WITH CAR CHARTER AND DRIVER: $76
- Backpacker Style of the Java-Madura-Bali Island Tour 12 Days: $1,600
- Bandung One Day Tour Package: $160
- Volcano, Hot Spring, Mud Bathing, & Lake Tour: $66
- Bandung:Kawah Putih,Volcano,HotSpring,Mud Bathing,Lake Tour: $56
- Day Trip White Crater Ciwidey Bandung All In - Tour Guide: $73
- Daytrip Costum White Crater Volcano Mount Tour Guide Bandung: $49
- From Jakarta: Bandung City Tour: $132
- From Jakarta: Bandung Volcano Tour: $156
- Full-Day Tour to Bandung White Crater,Lake and Tea Plantation: $82
- Indonesia: Paragliding Experiences by Papatong Fly & Play: $41
Tours and Activities in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Shenzhen Self-Guided Flexible Tour with Private Car and Driver : $87
- (Private class) Hong Kong gourmet baking experience class: Hong Kong-style egg tart + custard mooncake: $89
- **HK Resident**sky100 Admission Ticket [F-HC1_HK]: $14
- 2.5-Hour Shenzhen City-Village Walking Tour: Back In The 90's & TikTok Influence: $51
- 4-Hour Private Hong Kong Layover Tour: $280
- 4-Hour Small Group Kowloon Sightseeing Tour: $103
- A Magical Evening in Hong Kong: Private City Tour: $105
- Afternoon Hiking Tour Sharp Island Geopark: $38
- Aqua Luna: Evening Cruise at Victoria Harbour Hong Kong: $40
- Aqua Luna: Symphony of Lights Cruise in Hong Kong: $49
- Big Bus Hong Kong Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour: $50
- Big Bus Hong Kong Open-Top Night Tour: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBandung $3.60Shenzhen $20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bandung and Shenzhen, we can see that Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bandung or Shenzhen?
Bandung has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of Shenzhen. When comparing the sizes of Bandung and Shenzhen, 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.