Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Bangkok?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Bangkok or Harbin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bangkok and Harbin can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Bangkok or Harbin?
Bangkok
Bangkok: a name synonymous with all things exotic. The vibrant and exciting capital of Thailand is not just a hub for Southeast Asia, but also a destination into itself. Known for an active nightlife and party scene, as well as great food, historic temples, and busy markets, Bangkok offers a diversity to entertain even the most experienced travelers.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.
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Bangkok Prices
Thailand PricesHarbin Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBangkok $105Harbin $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Bangkok is $105, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $66. 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 Bangkok and Harbin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBangkok $50Harbin $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBangkok $100Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Bangkok and Harbin
Looking for a hotel in Bangkok 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: Bangkok Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bangkok $6.57Harbin $1.52
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bangkok are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk to bus station$2.51
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Skytrain Ticket$5.02
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Chao Phraya River Express Ticket$1.00
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Ferry Ride$0.82
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Taxi From Airport$7.85
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Short Taxi Ride$2.83
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Boat Taxi$1.57
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Trains to airport$5.02
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:
- Tuk-tuk tour Bangkok by Night with Chinatown meal and hotel transfers: $64
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Pattaya APT-HTL (DMK): $20
- Transfer from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Rayong Province: $100
- Transfer from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Pattaya: $69
- Transfer from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to HuaHin: $86
- Transfer from DMK Donmuaeng International Airport to BKK Suvarnabhumi Airport: $34
- Transfer from BKK Suvarnabhumi International Airport to khao Yai National Park: $86
- Transfer from BKK Suvarnabhumi International Airport to DMK Donmuang Airport: $34
- Transfer from BKK Airport to Bangkok City: $30
- Suvarnabhumi Airport BKK to Kanchanaburi Private Arrival Transfer: $101
- Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Private Transfer to Bangkok Centre: $23
- Sedan Arrival Transfer Bangkok Airport BKK to Bangkok or Pattaya: $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 4 Hour Private Transfer to Sun Island Snow Sculptures: $100
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
- Harbin Catholic Church Car Transfer Service: $80
- Harbin Ice Festival Tickets and Transfer Service : $148
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer, Pick up.: $59
- Harbin Volga Manor Private Transfer Service with Entry Tickets: $300
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Private Departure Transfer to Harbin North Railway Station from Harbin City: $100
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $198
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
Is it cheaper to fly into Bangkok or Harbin?
Prices for flights to both Harbin and Bangkok 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 dayBangkok $36Harbin $24
Typical Food Prices in Bangkok
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Bangkok:
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Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe (for Two)$28
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Casual Lunch of Prawns (for Two)$6.28
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2 Rotis (Bread)$1.41
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Mango & Sticky Rice$0.94
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Lunch at KFC (for Two)$6.28
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Pad Thai$2.20
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Airport Lunch for 2$17
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Lunch for 2$23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bangkok.
- Baiyoke Sky Hotel Observation Deck Ticket with Lunch or Dinner : $22
- Meridian Dinner and Sunset Cruise in Bangkok: $23
- Royal Princess Dinner Cruise in Bangkok: $25
- Chao Phraya Princess Sunset and Dinner Cruise: $27
- Twilight Dinner Cruise Along Chao Phraya River in Bangkok: $29
- Calypso Cabaret Show with Thai Set Dinner: $29
- Baiyoke Sky Dinner Experience with Observation Deck Access: $29
- Baiyoke Sky Observation Deck With Buffet Dinner or Lunch: $29
- Bangkok Amazing Chaophraya River Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $32
- Nopparat’s Traditional Thai Dinner & Dance: $32
- Chao Phraya River Serenade: VIVA Alangka Dinner Cruise, Bangkok: $32
- Riverside Bangkok Dinner Cruise with Buffet and City Views: $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dinner Show with Costumes and Performances: $29
- Harbin Cultural Tour at Zhongyang Dajie to Baluoke with Dinner: $80
- Central Street, Baluoke Village, and Dinner Tour: $90
- Harbin Dumpling Cooking Class: $154
- Hot Spring Experience with Hot Pot Dinner in Harbin: $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bangkok $18Harbin $53
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bangkok
Here are a few typical costs in Bangkok for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Movie Ticket$5.02
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Grand Palace Entrance Ticket$11
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Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket$1.57
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Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)$6.28
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Club Cover Charge$12
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Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)$75
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Fish Pedicure$4.71
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Wat Pho entrance ticket$3.14
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Siriraj Museum (2)$13
Tours and Activities in Bangkok
Here are a few actual costs in Bangkok for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- A Day in Ayutthaya: Private 5 UNESCO Temples Tour From Bangkok: $126
- Ayutthaya Historic Park Tour Group Tour from Bangkok: $55
- Bangkok Hindu Landmark Tour with Grand Palace, Temples & Lunch: $169
- Full-Day Erawan Waterfall and River Kwai Private Guided Tour: $150
- Private Customized Bangkok Tour With Driver : $58
- Private Half-Day Bangkok City Tour explore The Grand Palace: $144
- UNESCO Temple Group Tour to Ayutthaya From Bangkok: $60
- 1 Hour Axe Throwing Experience : $20
- 10 Hours Private Tour Ayuttaya: $132
- 2 Day Guided Tour from Bangkok to Ayutthaya : $96
- 2 Hour Electric Tuk Tuk Cultural Tour of Bangkok: $31
- 2 Hour Longtail Boat Bangkok Canal Tour: $79
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Harbin Ice and Snow World Ticket Booking: $51
- Half Day Tour for Harbin Guandong Ancient Lane and Wood Sculpture Museum: $104
- Harbin Summer Indoor Ice and Snow World Tour: $136
- Harbin Ice Lantern Show and Center Street Tour: $150
- Private Half Day Tour Harbin ConfucianTemple and Temple of Bliss (Jile Si): $157
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $168
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
- 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 City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
- Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
- Private Half Day Tour to Unit 731 Museum and Sites in Harbin: $218
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBangkok $5.65Harbin $7.96
Typical Alcohol Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bangkok are as follows:
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Beer$1.26
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangkok
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bangkok:
- Bangkok Pub Crawl: $17
- The Original Bangkok Pub Crawl: $32
Sample the Local Flavors in Harbin
Also in Harbin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Brewery Tour: $250
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bangkok and Harbin, we can see that Bangkok 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 Bangkok would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bangkok 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 Bangkok Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bangkok or Harbin?
Bangkok has a larger population, and is about 58% larger than the population of Harbin. When comparing the sizes of Bangkok 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 Bangkok or Harbin?
Harbin has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bangkok experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Bangkok or Harbin in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Bangkok as well as Harbin. Bangkok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Bangkok is a little warmer than Harbin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bangkok in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Harbin averages at about 24°C (75°F).
It's quite rainy in Harbin. Bangkok receives a lot of rain in the summer. Bangkok usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Harbin. Bangkok gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBangkok 29°C (84°F)Harbin 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Bangkok or Harbin in the Autumn?
Both Harbin and Bangkok are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bangkok throughout the year.
In October, Bangkok is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Bangkok average around 28°C (83°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
It's quite rainy in Bangkok. In October, Bangkok usually receives more rain than Harbin. Bangkok gets 242 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Bangkok is November to February. The rainy season in Bangkok is May to October.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBangkok 28°C (83°F)Harbin 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Bangkok or Harbin in the Winter?
Both Harbin and Bangkok during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bangkok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite cold in Harbin in the winter. Bangkok is much warmer than Harbin in the winter. The daily temperature in Bangkok averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Harbin fluctuates around -18°C (-0°F).
Bangkok usually gets more rain in January than Harbin. Bangkok gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year. November to February is the dry season in Bangkok.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBangkok 27°C (80°F)Harbin -18°C (-0°F)
Should I visit Bangkok or Harbin in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bangkok and Harbin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bangkok year-round.
In the spring, Bangkok is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bangkok in April average around 31°C (87°F), and Harbin averages at about 8°C (46°F).
In April, Bangkok usually receives more rain than Harbin. Bangkok gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Bangkok.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBangkok 31°C (87°F)Harbin 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Harbin and Bangkok
| Bangkok | Harbin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (87°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 242 mm (9.5 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.