Which place is cheaper, Xi'an or Bucharest?
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 Bucharest or Xi'an?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bucharest and Xi'an. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Bucharest or Xi'an?
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital and largest city in the country of Romania. With about 2 million residents living in the city and about 2.4 million in the surrounding urban area, it is also one of the largest cities in Southeastern Europe. As such, it is the economic, industrial and commercial center for the country. As a visitor, you will likely enter Romania by arriving in Bucharest. The city continues to grow and change, and there are ongoing infrastructure projects that continue to modernize the city. It is not uncommon to find historic churches on the same block as modern office buildings and Communist style apartment buildings. There are also many sights around town and the city continues to grow as a trendy and fascinating city.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, The Best Adventure Tours to China, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in China.
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Bucharest Prices
Romania PricesXi'an Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBucharest $178Xi'an $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Bucharest is $178, while the average daily cost in Xi'an is $103. 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 Bucharest and Xi'an in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBucharest $62Xi'an $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBucharest $124Xi'an $120
Compare Hotels in Bucharest and Xi'an
Looking for a hotel in Bucharest 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: Bucharest Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bucharest $26Xi'an $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:
- Private Transfer and 3H Tickets to Therme Bucharest: $106
- AIRPORT TRANSFER IN BUCHAREST: $53
- Airport Henri Coanda (Otopeni) to Bucharest - Private Transfer - Driver: $43
- Airport Private Transfer - to or from any Bucharest hotel: $73
- Airport Transfer Bucharest - Brasov ,Brasov- Bucharest: $64
- Airport to Bucharest - Private Transfer from Henri Coanda Airport OTP Otopeni : $43
- Airport to Bucharest /Private Transfer from OTP Henri Coanda: $38
- Airport transfer to hotel: $42
- Arrival Private Transfer from Bucharest Airport OTP to Brasov in Business Car: $138
- Arrival Private Transfers from Bucharest Airport OTP to Bucharest City: $48
- Arrival Private Transfers: Bucharest Airport OTP to Bran Castle of Dracula: $225
- Bran Castle of Dracula Yourself : Private Transfer from Bucharest Airport OTP: $225
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xi'an
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Xi'an:
- 1-way Private Transfer: Xi'an City Hotel to Airport/Train Station: $55
- 2-Day Customized Private Tour With Transfer in Historical Xi'an: $231
- Airport transfers, with a good reputation for the quality of our transfer services between Xi'an Airport and Xi'an city! <Private charter>: $27
- Arrival Transfer Xi'an Xianyang International Airport to Hotel: $34
- Bullet Train Station Transfer Service: $31
- Essential Xian Tour with Airport Train Station or Hotel Transfer: $197
- From Xian: Terracotta Army and City Wall Tour with Airport Transfer: $194
- Full-Day Layover Private Tour: Essence of Xi'an With Airport Transfer: $197
- Mt. Huashan Private Roundtrip Transfer with Driver's Tickets Help: $113
- One-Way Airport Transfer From Xi'an Xianyang International Airport to Xi'an Hotel: $75
- Private 1-way Transfer: Xi'an North Station/Airport to City Hotel: $58
- Private Airport Transfer: Xi'an Hotel to Xianyang International Airport: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Bucharest or Xi'an?
Prices for flights to both Xi'an and Bucharest 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 dayBucharest $100Xi'an $21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bucharest.
- Dinner &tour at Museum of Communism after closing: $50
- 5 Premium Wine Tasting with Rich Dinner, incl Sommelier: $73
- Exceptional Dinner by Multi-Award-Winning Chef, Drinks incl: $73
- Bucharest Historical Food Tour in Old Center: $81
- Bohemian Bucharest Markets and Mahallas Traditional Food Tour: $81
- Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $84
- Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner: $94
- Private Bucharest Food Tour with a Local Foodie: $127
- 4-Hour Walking Food Tour in the Old Town: $200
- Bucharest City Tour & Traditional Home-made Cooking Experience: $225
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 Food Tour in Muslim Quarter: $36
- Dinner and Show of Tang Dynasty Palace in Xian: $40
- Tang Dynasty Show with Optional Dinner: $51
- Xi'an Twilight Sightseeing and Food Tour: $51
- Xi'an Vegetarian Food Tour: $60
- Half-day Xi'an Biang Biang Noodles Cooking Class with Spice Market Visit: $65
- Private Xi'an Food Tour: $65
- Private Old Xi'an Authentic Local Beer Dinner Tour: $68
- Xi'an Evening Food Tour by TukTuk: $69
- 3-Hour Biang Biang Noodles Cooking Class in Xi'an: $75
- Authentic Muslim Alley Food Tour in Xi'an: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bucharest $14Xi'an $35
Tours and Activities in Bucharest
Here are a few actual costs in Bucharest for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Quest Experience in Bellu Cemetery Bucharest: $5.92
- Life in Communist Quest Experience: $5.92
- Ghost Hunt Quest Experience: $5.92
- Bucharest 1989 Revolution Walking Tour with Smartphone App: $6.34
- Entry ticket at the Museum of Communism: $8.57
- Museum of Communism Ticket with Communist Coffee: $9.52
- Reptiland Bucharest Entry Ticket: $11
- Museum of Senses Entry Ticket: $11
- Alternative Bucharest Walking Tour: $11
- Bucharest Old Centre Tour: $16
- A Tale of Bucharest Calea Victoriei Walking Tour: $16
- A Tale of Bucharest Old Town Walking Tour: $16
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
- Huaqing Palace Adult Ticket: $21
- Terra-cotta Warriors Entrance Ticket with Optional Guided Service: $26
- Xi'an Terracotta Army Museum English Speaking Group Tour : $28
- Terracotta Army Tickets Booking: $28
- Terracotta Army Ticket: $28
- Terracotta Army Ticket Booking: $28
- Terracotta Army Tickets: $28
- Terracotta Army Tickets Booking: $28
- Terracotta Warriors Tickets Booking: $28
- Terra Cotta Army Warriors Ticket Pre-booking and Guide Services: $28
- Terracotta Warriors And First Emperor's Mausoleum Tickets Booking: $28
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBucharest $9.11Xi'an $7.24
Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest
Also in Bucharest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Weekend Pub Crawl: $23
- Romanian Wine Tasting Experience at Corks: $28
- Bachelor Party Custom Bar Crawl: $37
- Bucharest Guided Pub Crawl: $38
- Bar Crawling: $43
- Pub Crawl in the Old CIty and Rooftop Hopping in Bucharest: $47
- Private Wine Tasting Experience: $53
- Bucharest Private Old Town Pub and Bar Crawl with Guide: $56
- Pub Crawling in Style to the Most Fancy Bars (not Old Town): $58
- Private Bar Crawling in Bucharest Old City: $59
- Wine Tasting in Bucharest long version: $65
- Bucharest City Tour and Wine Tasting: $84
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bucharest and Xi'an, we can see that Bucharest is more expensive. And not only is Xi'an much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bucharest is in Europe and Xi'an is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Xi'an would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Xi'an 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 Bucharest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bucharest than you might in Xi'an.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bucharest Expensive? and Is Xi'an Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Xi'an?
Xi'an has a larger population, and is about 72% larger than the population of Bucharest. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest 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.