A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hangzhou vs. Hong Kong for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hangzhou or Hong Kong?

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 Hong Kong. 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 Hong Kong?

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.

Hong Kong

In Hong Kong you will find a predominantly Cantonese population that has long been influenced by British occupation. Most residents speak English and you can see the obvious effects of years of capitalism. Shopping malls are everywhere and most are thriving. Along the waterfront every night the buildings light up in a dramatic and festive light show that highlights such businesses as Sony and Canon, which are fixtures in the city. The city is a major financial hub, and is very international in nature. The city itself is very densely packed and there are narrow high rises that look vulnerable due to their height. There are two main areas to the city, Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Hong Kong Island is the location of the original British settlement. Today it is where you will find the highest skyscrapers, the most modern buildings, and the most popular shopping areas. Kowloon is located on a peninsula that is to the north of Hong Kong Island. The tip of the peninsula is a popular destination for backpackers as it has many of the city's hostels. This area is referred to as Tsim Sha Tsui. There are also a few high end hotels in the area. It is possible to head outside of the city so that you can escape into some rural regions where you can take a break from the crowds.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to China, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Hong Kong or Hangzhou?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Hangzhou is $66, while the average daily cost in Hong Kong is $160. 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 Hong Kong in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hangzhou $23
    Hong Kong $75
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hangzhou $46
    Hong Kong $150
Compare Hotels in Hangzhou and Hong Kong

Looking for a hotel in Hangzhou or Hong Kong? 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 Hangzhou


Hotels in Hong Kong


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: Hong Kong Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hangzhou $8.17
    Hong Kong $8.72
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hangzhou

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hangzhou:


  • Local Bus for Two
    $0.56

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hangzhou

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hangzhou:

  • [Airport Transfer] Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport ⇔ Hangzhou City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $29
  • Wuzhen Water Town Self-Guided Tour with Private Transfer from Hangzhou : $87
  • Wuzhen & Xitang Water Town Self-Guided Tour with Private Transfer from Hangzhou: $97
  • VIP Seated Impression West Lake Show with Private Hassel-Free Transfer Service: $85
  • VIP Seated Enduring Memories of Hangzhou Show with Private Transfer: $83
  • Transfer from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport to City Center: $39
  • Skip the Line: Impression West Lake Show VIP Seat Ticket with Pick-up Transfer: $82
  • Skip the Line: Impression West Lake Show Ticket with Pick-up Transfer: $72
  • Private Transfer to Yiwu City from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport: $125
  • Private Transfer to Wuzhen Water Town from Hangzhou: $88
  • Private Transfer to Suzhou City from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport: $125
  • Private Transfer to Suzhou City from Hangzhou: $113

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hong Kong

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hong Kong:


  • MTR (for 2)
    $2.81
  • Local Bus
    $2.81
  • Ferry Ticket
    $0.26
  • Hong Kong Airport Express Train Ticket
    $14

Is it cheaper to fly into Hangzhou or Hong Kong?

Prices for flights to both Hong Kong 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Hangzhou $18
    Hong Kong $33
Typical Food Prices in Hangzhou

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hangzhou:


  • Breakfast Pastries
    $2.36
  • 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
  • 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
  • Xitang Water Town Private Night Tour from Hangzhou with Dinner: $203

Typical Food Prices in Hong Kong

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


  • Dinner for 2
    $12

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hangzhou $20
    Hong Kong $95

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
  • 2-Day Huangshan Mountain Sunset Climb & Sunrise Camp Guided Tour from Hangzhou : $162
  • 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
  • A Depth-Tour to Explore Xixi Wetland Park including Fishing experience: $205
  • All-inclusive Customized Hangzhou Private Day Tour: $216
  • Best Price: Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $59
  • Best of A Comprehensive Tour of the City's Top Sights: $153
  • Cirque Du Soleil Ticket : $120

Typical Entertainment Prices in Hong Kong

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Hong Kong's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Peak Tram
    $7.67
  • Madame Tussauds Hong Kong
    $24

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hangzhou $10
    Hong Kong $21


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hangzhou and Hong Kong, we can see that Hong Kong 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 Hong Kong would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hong Kong 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 Hong Kong Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Hangzhou or Hong Kong?

Hong Kong has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Hangzhou. When comparing the sizes of Hangzhou and Hong Kong, 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.