Which place is cheaper, Guangzhou or Hangzhou?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hangzhou or Guangzhou?
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 Hangzhou and Guangzhou. 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: Hangzhou or Guangzhou?
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.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, and The Best Luxury Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHangzhou $65Guangzhou $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Hangzhou is $65, while the average daily cost in Guangzhou is $89. 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 Hangzhou and Guangzhou in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHangzhou $23Guangzhou $57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHangzhou $46Guangzhou $114
Compare Hotels in Hangzhou and Guangzhou
Looking for a hotel in Hangzhou or Guangzhou? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hangzhou $8.13Guangzhou $14
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:
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area : $29
- Enduring Memories of Hangzhou West Lake Show VIP Ticket with Private Transfer: $128
- Hangzhou Downtown Transfer To Hangzhou East Railway Station: $32
- Hangzhou East Railway Station Transfer To Hangzhou Downtown City: $32
- Hangzhou International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to Shaoxing City : $84
- Hangzhou Private Transfer to Shanghai with Drop-off Options : $131
- Hangzhou Private Transfer to Shanghai with stop-over at Wuzhen Water Town: $165
- Hangzhou Private Transfer to Shanghai with stop-over at Xitang Water Town: $177
- Hangzhou Private Transfer: Railway Station to City Hotels: $33
- Hangzhou Railway Station Private Arrival Transfer to City Area : $29
- Hangzhou Railway Station Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $29
- Hangzhou West Lake Impression Ticket with Private Transfer: $122
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guangzhou:
- Guangzhou Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Railway Station: $34
- Canton Fair Private Transfer between Guangzhou City Center and Pazhou Complex : $32
- Fast Train Ticket from Guangzhou to Hong Kong with Station Transfer in Guanghou: $95
- Guangzhou Airport (CAN) to Guangzhou Round-Trip Private Transfer: $68
- Guangzhou Airport: Private Transfer to/from Guangzhou: $70
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (CAN) to Guangzhou City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $68
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service , To Guangzhou Transfer,Pickup: $71
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service, To Dongguan Transfer: $120
- Guangzhou Downtown Hotel - Baiyun Airport OneWay Private Transfer: $35
- Guangzhou Night Pearl River Cruise VIP Seating with Private Transfer: $96
- Guangzhou airport to hotel private transfer : $57
- Pearl River Night Cruise in Guangzhou with Private Transfer: $69
Is it cheaper to fly into Hangzhou or Guangzhou?
Prices for flights to both Guangzhou and Hangzhou 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 dayHangzhou $18Guangzhou $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
- Wuzhen Ancient Water Town Private Night Tour from Hangzhou with Dinner Option: $185
- 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
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 walking tour with dimsum dinner&Zhujiang river cruise: $100
- Private Guangzhou Night Tour Pearl River Cruise & Dim-Sum Dinner: $110
- Yum Cha Dim Sum Dinner and Pearl River Night Cruise Private Tour : $110
- Private Guangzhou Night Tour with Canton Tower and Dim-Sum Dinner: $176
- Private Guangzhou Food Tour Michelin Restaurant&Local Food Market: $180
- Guangzhou Private Night Tour: Lychee Bay, Beijing Road, Cruise, Dinner: $204
- Private Cooking Canton Cuisine Cooking Class in Guangzhou : $266
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hangzhou $20Guangzhou $18
Tours and Activities in Hangzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Hangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Hangzhou Lingyin Temple Tour : $28
- Hangzhou Longjing Tea Culture Experience Tour : $53
- Hangzhou Longjing Tea Plantation Culture Experience Tour: $53
- Best Price: Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $59
- Skip the Line: Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $65
- Zuiyi Hangzhou Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $69
- Enduring Memories of Hangzhou Show Ticket with Private Transport: $89
- Hangzhou Private Amazing English Tour Guide Service: $90
- Independent Tour to Shaoxing City from Hangzhou: $94
- Night Tour with Impression West Lake Show VIP Ticket and Hefang Heritage Street : $95
- Songcheng Park & Lengend of Song Dynasty Show Ticket: $100
- Hangzhou Impressoin West Lake- Enduring Memory of Hangzhou Show Tour: $100
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
- Guided Cycle Tour of Guangzhou: $75
- Small Group Guangzhou Layover Tour: $87
- Guangzhou Foodie Tour: $88
- Walking Tour of Xiguan Ancient Town: $89
- 3-Hour Private Tour to Museum of Nanyue King Tomb in Guangzhou: $91
- 4-Hour Private Tour to Museum of Nanyue King & Academy of Clan Chen in Guangzhou: $91
- Private Guangzhou History and Culture Tour with Dim-Sum Option: $98
- Best of Guangzhou City Sightseeing: $110
- Private Half Day Guangzhou Tour by Metro with A Local Guide: $112
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHangzhou $10Guangzhou $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hangzhou and Guangzhou, we can see that Guangzhou is more expensive. And not only is Hangzhou much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Guangzhou would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guangzhou 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 Hangzhou Expensive? and Is Guangzhou Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hangzhou or Guangzhou?
Guangzhou has a larger population, and is about 68% larger than the population of Hangzhou. When comparing the sizes of Hangzhou and Guangzhou, 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 Hangzhou or Guangzhou?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Hangzhou or Guangzhou in the Summer?
Both Guangzhou and Hangzhou are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In July, Hangzhou is generally around the same temperature as Guangzhou. Daily temperatures in Hangzhou average around 29°C (85°F), and Guangzhou fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Guangzhou. It's quite rainy in Hangzhou. In July, Hangzhou usually receives less rain than Guangzhou. Hangzhou gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHangzhou 29°C (85°F)Guangzhou 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Hangzhou or Guangzhou in the Autumn?
Both Guangzhou and Hangzhou during the autumn are popular places to visit.
Hangzhou is cooler than Guangzhou in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hangzhou averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Guangzhou fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).
Hangzhou usually gets more rain in October than Guangzhou. Hangzhou gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHangzhou 19°C (66°F)Guangzhou 25°C (76°F)
Should I visit Hangzhou or Guangzhou in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hangzhou and Guangzhou.
Hangzhou can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Hangzhou is much colder than Guangzhou. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hangzhou in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Guangzhou averages at about 14°C (58°F).
In January, Hangzhou usually receives more rain than Guangzhou. Hangzhou gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHangzhou 5°C (41°F)Guangzhou 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Hangzhou or Guangzhou in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Hangzhou as well as Guangzhou.
In April, Hangzhou is generally cooler than Guangzhou. Daily temperatures in Hangzhou average around 16°C (61°F), and Guangzhou fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
It's quite rainy in Guangzhou. Hangzhou receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hangzhou usually gets less rain in April than Guangzhou. Hangzhou gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 182 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHangzhou 16°C (61°F)Guangzhou 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Guangzhou and Hangzhou
| Hangzhou | Guangzhou | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (50°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.1 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (56°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 24 mm (0.9 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.