A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Haifa vs. Xi'an for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Haifa 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 Haifa 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: Haifa or Xi'an?

Haifa

Located on the northern Mediterranean coast of Israel, Haifa is Israel's third largest city. It is also a beautiful and strategically located city near the border with Lebanon. The population of Haifa, which is approximately 300,000, is surprisingly diverse. There are Jews, Muslim, and Christian Arabs throughout the city. While Haifa is an industrial city with a strong work ethic and a good job base, it is also a beautiful city with many gardens and a stunning coastline. Today the job base has increasingly become technology based with some large companies such as Google and Microsoft offering employment in the area. Haifa University is also the country's top technology university.

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 in Israel, The Best 2-Week Tours in Israel, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Xi'an or Haifa?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Haifa is $197, while the average daily cost in Xi'an 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 Haifa and Xi'an in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Haifa $94
    Xi'an $65
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Haifa $188
    Xi'an $130
Compare Hotels in Haifa and Xi'an

Looking for a hotel in Haifa 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.

Hotels in Haifa


Hotels in Xian


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: Haifa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Haifa $6.27
    Xi'an $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Haifa

Also for Haifa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Haifa Cruise Port to Tel Aviv Airport (TLV): $229
  • Transfers all over the Holyland: Haifa, TLV, Airport, JLM, Jordan: $199

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xi'an

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Xi'an:

  • seat in coach Terracotta army within 3rd ring transfers W lunch: $70
  • Xianyang/Xi'An to Xianyang Airport(XIY)-Deparure Private Transfer: $48
  • Xianyang/Xi'An to Xianyang Airport XIY-Departure Private Transfer: $28
  • Xianyang Airport(XIY) to Xianyang/Xi'An -Arrival Private Transfer: $48
  • Xianyang Airport(XIY) to Xianyang/Xi'An -Arrival Private Transfer: $28
  • Xianyang Airport XIY to Xianyang/Xi'An-Roundtrip Private Transfer: $96
  • Xian: Terracotta Army Ticket (Guided & Transfer Tour Option): $97
  • Xian Xianyang International Airport (XIY) Private Departure Transfer: $40
  • Xian Xianyang International Airport (XIY) Private Arrival Transfer: $40
  • Xian Terracotta Warriors and City Wall Tour with Airport Transfer: $254
  • Xian Terracotta Warriors Tour with Airport Transfer: $216
  • Xian Terracotta Warriors Museum Tour with Airport Transfer: $214

Is it cheaper to fly into Haifa or Xi'an?

Prices for flights to both Xi'an and Haifa 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Haifa $98
    Xi'an $23
Typical Food Prices in Haifa

For Haifa, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner
    $34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Xi'an

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Xi'an.

  • Xi’an:City Wall Multi-Entry or Night Food Tour with Show: $21
  • Xi'An: Tang Dynasty Show Ticket w/ Transfer or Dinner: $33
  • Top 3 Xian Sites to Terracotta Army & Dinner Show w/ Options: $35
  • Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket Optional Dumplings or Royal Dinner: $37
  • Xian Tang Dynasty Show -Optional Dumpling Dinner or Royal Banquet: $38
  • Tang Dynasty Royal Show Optinal Dinner With Round-trip Transfers: $38
  • Xi'an Tang Dynasty Music Dance Show or Dinner Show with Transfer: $39
  • Xi'an: Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show with Dinner Option: $40
  • Tang Dynasty Dinner Show with Private transfer: $55
  • Xi’an: Market Tour and Cooking Class with Local Family: $59
  • Xi'an Vegetarian Food Tour: $60
  • Xi'an Muslim Quarter Walking Food Tour: $61

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Haifa $7.24
    Xi'an $38

Tours and Activities in Haifa

For Haifa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Haifa Port Shore Excursion: Nazareth and Sea of Galilee Day Tour from Haifa Port: $125
  • Haifa Private Tour: $199
  • Guided Walking & Car Tour with Bahai Gardens Entry: $229
  • In the Footsteps of Jesus Minibus Tour for Holland America Cruise: $249
  • Jerusalem & Bethlehem Tour from Haifa Port 2026 - Small Group: $255
  • Holy Jerusalem Joint Minibus Tour for Holland America Cruise: $269
  • Jerusalem & Bethlehem Tour from Haifa Port. Private Tour: $287
  • Full Day Tour to Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee: $299
  • Haifa Port: Full-Day Christianity Tour to Galilee: $501
  • Haifa, Acre and Rosh Anikra for Cruises with Licensed Guide: $510

Tours and Activities in Xi'an

Here are a few actual costs in Xi'an for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 1 Day Beijing to Xi'an Terracotta Warriors Tour by Air: $779
  • 1 Day Private Tour to Terracotta Army & Huaqing Pool, No Shopping: $129
  • 1 Day Xian City Highlights Private Tour: $148
  • 1 Day Xian Group Tour: Terracotta Warriors & City Wall: $196
  • 1-Day Private Tour: Mount Huashan With the Lunch from Xi'an: $190
  • 1-Day Xi'an Terracotta Warriors Museum and Banpo Neolithic Village Museum Tour: $100
  • 1-Day Xi'an Terracotta Warriors,Wild Goose Pagoda and Banpo Village Museum Tour: $100
  • 1-Day Xi'an Tour with Wild Goose Pagoda, Shaanxi History Museum and City Wall: $100
  • 1-Day Xi'an Tour with the Terracotta Warriors, Cave Dwelling and City Wall: $236
  • 2 Days Xi'an City Tour: $292
  • 2 Days Xian Customized Tour for Terracotta Warriors and More: $235
  • 2 Days Xian Flexible Tour Including Hotel to Explore Xian Your Own Way: $256

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Haifa $17
    Xi'an $7.74

Sample the Local Flavors in Xi'an

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Xi'an:

  • Xi'an Bar Crawl: Drink, Gaming, Snacks & Meet with Locals: $29


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Haifa and Xi'an, we can see that Haifa is more expensive. And not only is Xi'an much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Haifa is in Middle East 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 Haifa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Haifa 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 Haifa Expensive? and Is Xi'an Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Haifa or Xi'an?

Xi'an has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Haifa. When comparing the sizes of Haifa 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.