Which place is cheaper, Tainan City or Guangzhou?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Guangzhou or Tainan City?
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 Guangzhou and Tainan City can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Guangzhou or Tainan City?
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.
Tainan City
The oldest city in Taiwan, Tainan was once the nation's capital during imperial times and is today famous for its temples and historic buildings which speak to this distant past. Additionally Tainan has become known for its lively night markets and fantastic snack foods available from a large concentrate of street vendors located throughout the city.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, The Best Tours for Seniors to Taiwan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Taiwan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuangzhou $89Tainan City $111
The average daily cost (per person) in Guangzhou is $89, while the average daily cost in Tainan City is $111. 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 Guangzhou and Tainan City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuangzhou $57Tainan City $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuangzhou $114Tainan City $118
Compare Hotels in Guangzhou and Tainan City
Looking for a hotel in Guangzhou or Tainan City? 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: Tainan City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guangzhou $14Tainan City $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guangzhou:
- Canton Fair Private Transfer between Guangzhou City Center and Pazhou Complex : $32
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (CAN) to Guangzhou City - Arrival Private Transfer: $34
- Guangzhou Airport (CAN) to Guangzhou - Arrival Private Transfer: $34
- Guangzhou to Guangzhou Airport (CAN) - Departure Private Transfer: $34
- Private Transfer: Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to Guangzhou Nan Railway Station: $38
- Private Transfer between Guangzhou Baiyun Mountain and City Area: $44
- Private Baiyun Airport Transfer to Guangzhou Railway or East Railway Station: $49
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou City Center to South Railway Station: $49
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou South Railway Station to Baiyun Airport : $53
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou Int Airport (CAN) to Shekou Port: $68
- Guangzhou Airport (CAN) to Guangzhou Round-Trip Private Transfer: $68
- Pearl River Night Cruise in Guangzhou with Private Transfer: $69
Is it cheaper to fly into Guangzhou or Tainan City?
Prices for flights to both Tainan City and Guangzhou 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 dayGuangzhou $19Tainan City $39
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guangzhou $18Tainan City $11
Tours and Activities in Guangzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Guangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Foshan Classic Old Town Tour : $15
- Guangzhou Pearl River Night Cruise Ticket (Redemption Required): $21
- Original Martial Arts Tour : $40
- Discovery more Guangzhou evening foodie tour with locals : $65
- 5-Hour Sai Kwan Walking Tour with Unique Food Tasting: $72
- Guangzhou Self-Guided Tour with Private Car and Driver Service: $75
- Guided Cycle Tour of Guangzhou: $75
- Guangzhou Pearl River Night Cruise Tour: $77
- Small Group Guangzhou Layover Tour: $87
- Guangzhou Foodie Tour: $88
- Guangzhou Walking Tour To Explore The Old Xiguan Area: $89
- Walking Tour of Xiguan Ancient Town: $89
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuangzhou $14Tainan City $5.75
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guangzhou and Tainan City, we can see that Tainan City is more expensive. And not only is Guangzhou much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Guangzhou would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guangzhou 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 Tainan City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tainan City than you might in Guangzhou.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Guangzhou Expensive? and Is Tainan City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guangzhou or Tainan City?
Guangzhou has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Tainan City. When comparing the sizes of Guangzhou and Tainan City, 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.