Which place is cheaper, Hangzhou or Dubai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dubai or Hangzhou?
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 Dubai and Hangzhou can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dubai or Hangzhou?
Dubai
Ever wonder what it would be like to see the lifestyles of the rich and famous up close. There's no more upscale destination than Dubai. It's by far and away the spot for shopping, partying, sunbathing, fine dining and the most luxurious of luxury. As the most modern and progressive of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates, this area has experienced an unbelievable economic boom and tourism spike. It's a desert city with an amazing infrastructure.
Hangzhou
Hangzhou is a city in Eastern China, about an hour by train from Shanghai, renowned for its historic relics and natural beauty. Each year it attracts more than 20 million tourists who come to see what the city has to offer. Set amongst the natural scenery of lakes and mountains, Hangzhou is modern city that coexists with the old. Historic pagodas and cultural sites built around the central lake sit like they belong amidst the skyscrapers and bustling markets of today.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Dubai, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates, The Best Adventure Tours to China, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDubai $248Hangzhou $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Dubai is $248, while the average daily cost in Hangzhou is $65. 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 Dubai and Hangzhou in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDubai $170Hangzhou $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDubai $340Hangzhou $46
Compare Hotels in Dubai and Hangzhou
Looking for a hotel in Dubai or Hangzhou? 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: Dubai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dubai $13Hangzhou $8.11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubai:
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Taxi Ride$12
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Airport Taxi$12
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Sea Taxi$0.54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubai
Also for Dubai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Banana Boat Ride Dubai With Transfer: $190
- Burj Al Arab Tour - Gold Cappuccino With Private Transfers: $147
- Dubai Frame & La Perle Dragon Dubai (Bronze) With Transfer: $210
- Ekart Zabeel Dubai With Transfer: $150
- Inside Burj Al Arab Tour with Gold Cappuccino and Transfer: $190
- 1 Day 1 Park (Motiongate or Legoland) with Private Transfer: $185
- 12 Minute Helicopter Ride in Dubai with Optional Transfer: $255
- 2 Dives for Certified Divers in Fujairah with lunch & transfer: $167
- 2 Hour View at The Palm Ticket and One Way Monorail with Transfer: $65
- 5 Hours Dubai Frame and Global Village Tour with Private Transfer: $135
- 6 Emirates in a Day Tour with Lunch & Private Transfer Dubai: $195
- 60 Minute Speed Boat Ride in Dubai with Private Transfer: $229
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hangzhou
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hangzhou:
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Local Bus for Two$0.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hangzhou:
- Water Town and West Lake Sightseeing with Hangzhou Hotel or Railway Station Transfer: $217
- Private Botique Tour: Essential Hangzhou Sightseeing with Hotel or Railway Station Transfer: $207
- Private Transfer to Yellow Mountain from Hangzhou: $196
- Hangzhou Private Transfer to Shanghai with stop-over at Xitang Water Town: $177
- Hangzhou to Beijing Bullet Train Ticket with Local Private Transfer : $173
- Hangzhou Private Transfer to Shanghai with stop-over at Wuzhen Water Town: $165
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport To Shanghai City one way private transfer: $140
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport TransferTo Shanghai Pudong Airport: $140
- Hangzhou Private Transfer to Shanghai with Drop-off Options : $131
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport Private Transfer to QianDao Lake : $131
- Private Transfer to Shanghai Pudong Airport from Hangzhou: $129
- Enduring Memories of Hangzhou West Lake Show VIP Ticket with Private Transfer: $128
Is it cheaper to fly into Dubai or Hangzhou?
Prices for flights to both Hangzhou and Dubai 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 dayDubai $56Hangzhou $18
Typical Food Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:
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French bread$0.95
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Sumo salad in Dubai Mall + Juice$10
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Lemon Mint Tea$4.36
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Coffee & Cake$6.54
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Smoothie$5.45
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Shawarma$1.91
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dhow Cruise Dinner Dubai Creek with Buffet Dinner: $14
- Dubai:Desert Safari BBQ dinner, Dune bashing,Camel&Sandboarding: $14
- Dhow Dinner Cruise with International Buffet in Dubai: $14
- Scenic Dhow Cruise with Buffet Dinner and Live Shows: $14
- Dubai Romantic Dhow Creek Dinner Cruise With Live Shows and International Buffet: $15
- 2-Hour Evening Dhow Cruise and Dinner: $15
- Dhow Cruise with Dinner and Live Entertainment at Dubai Al Seef: $15
- Romantic Sightseeing Dhow Cruise Dinner: $15
- Cruising With Dinner And Live Shows At Dubai Creek: $18
- Dhow Dinner Cruise with International Buffet: $18
- Desert Safari with Dinner and Live Show: $18
- Romantic Dhow Cruise Dinner: $19
Typical Food Prices in Hangzhou
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hangzhou:
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Breakfast Pastries$2.35
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Pizza Hut Lunch$11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hangzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hangzhou.
- All Inclusive Night Tour with Impression West Lake Show VIP Ticket and Dinner: $117
- VIP Seated Enduring Memories of Hangzhou Show Tour with Authentic Dinner: $127
- Private Amazing Hangzhou Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner Option : $170
- Enduring Memories of Hangzhou West Lake Show VIP Ticket with Authentic Dinner: $191
- Hangzhou Private Tour to Wuzhen and Xitang Water Town with Dinner and Boat Ride: $282
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dubai $19Hangzhou $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Visit to the Dubai Museum$0.82
Tours and Activities in Dubai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubai.
- Tourist eSIM/SIM Card with Data and Minutes: $2.49
- Dubai Guided Old Town Tour, Abra Boat, Gold & Spice Souk: $4.63
- A Self-Guided Tour of Dubai’s Origins in Deira: $5.99
- Global Village Entry Ticket: $6.13
- Burj Khalifa, Dubai Hidden Gems - Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $6.32
- 4G Data Roaming eSIM Card for Tourists: $7.22
- Small-Group Premium Old Town, Souk, & Abra Boat Tour: $7.62
- Old Town Walking Tour with Souks, Abra Ride & Snacks: $8.00
- Old Walking tour with Boat ride, Souks and Museums: $8.17
- Old Dubai, Walking Tour, Souk Shopping, and Abra Ride: $8.85
- Pearl Merchants and Palm Trees: A Self-Guided Tour of Sharjah: $8.99
- Guided Old Town Tour with Souks, Tastings & Boat Tour: $9.53
Tours and Activities in Hangzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Hangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Hangzhou Private Day Tour of West Lake, Lingyin Temple and Tea Village: $199
- West Lake Private Tour with Boat Ride and Enduring Memories Night Show VIP Seat: $242
- 4-Hour Hangzhou City Private Customized Tour with Options: $112
- 4-Hour Hangzhou Highlights Tour of Lingyin Temple and West Lake: $99
- 4-Hour Hangzhou Summit and Former Residence of Xueyan Hu Private Tour: $141
- A Depth-Tour to Explore Xixi Wetland Park in Hangzhou: $246
- All-inclusive Customized Hangzhou Layover Tour: $190
- Best Price: Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $59
- Best of A Comprehensive Tour of the City's Top Sights: $153
- China Academy of Art Architecture & Longjing Tea Plantation Private Tour: $212
- Cirque Du Soleil Ticket : $120
- Classic Hangzhou Two-Day Tour Plus Tea Plantation Exploration: $256
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDubai $23Hangzhou $10
Typical Alcohol Prices in Dubai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:
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A Couple Drinks$25
Sample the Local Flavors in Dubai
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubai:
- Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour: $67
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubai and Hangzhou, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Hangzhou much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai is in Middle East and Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hangzhou 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 Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai than you might in Hangzhou.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dubai Expensive? and Is Hangzhou Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dubai or Hangzhou?
Hangzhou has a larger population, and is about 65% larger than the population of Dubai. When comparing the sizes of Dubai and Hangzhou, 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 Dubai or Hangzhou?
Hangzhou has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Dubai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Dubai or Hangzhou in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Hangzhou. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Dubai can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Dubai is generally a little warmer than Hangzhou. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 35°C (95°F), and Hangzhou fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
It's quite rainy in Hangzhou. Dubai usually gets less rain in July than Hangzhou. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Hangzhou receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to August in Dubai is the dry season.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDubai 35°C (95°F)Hangzhou 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Dubai or Hangzhou in the Autumn?
Both Hangzhou and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year.
Dubai is much warmer than Hangzhou in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Hangzhou fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In October, Dubai usually receives less rain than Hangzhou. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Hangzhou receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDubai 29°C (84°F)Hangzhou 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Dubai or Hangzhou in the Winter?
Both Hangzhou and Dubai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dubai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite cold in Hangzhou in the winter. In the winter, Dubai is much warmer than Hangzhou. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dubai in January average around 19°C (66°F), and Hangzhou averages at about 5°C (41°F).
Dubai usually gets less rain in January than Hangzhou. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Hangzhou receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year. January to March is the rainy season in Dubai.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDubai 19°C (66°F)Hangzhou 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Dubai or Hangzhou in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Hangzhou. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round.
In April, Dubai is generally much warmer than Hangzhou. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 26°C (79°F), and Hangzhou fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
Hangzhou receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Dubai usually receives less rain than Hangzhou. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Hangzhou receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring. June to August in Dubai is the dry season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDubai 26°C (79°F)Hangzhou 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Hangzhou and Dubai
| Dubai | Hangzhou | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 49 mm (1.9 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.