Which place is cheaper, Katoomba or Hangzhou?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hangzhou or Katoomba?
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 Katoomba. 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 Katoomba?
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.
Katoomba
Designated an UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000, the Blue Mountains are located just west of Sydney in the highlands of New South Wales, Australia.
This area can be generally expensive, but is on par with other destinations in Australia and around Sydney. Plenty of luxury places can be found here that cost more than average, but plenty of cheaper places to stay can be found here, too. Expect to pay for various activities such as tours and entrance fees, too.
The landscape is sprawling with majestic scenery over a rugged terrain of steep cliffs, forests, waterfalls, and villages. Whether you come to hike, climb, bike, or drive to the scenic viewpoints, a curtain of tranquility falls upon the mountains in a blue haze from which they get their name.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHangzhou $65Katoomba $134
The average daily cost (per person) in Hangzhou is $65, while the average daily cost in Katoomba is $134. 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 Katoomba in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHangzhou $23Katoomba $77
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHangzhou $46Katoomba $154
Compare Hotels in Hangzhou and Katoomba
Looking for a hotel in Hangzhou or Katoomba? 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: Katoomba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hangzhou $8.11Katoomba $50
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:
- Private Transfer between Hangzhou Songcheng Park and City Area: $23
- Hangzhou Private Transfer: City Hotels to Railway Station: $28
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area : $29
- Hangzhou Railway Station Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $29
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan Int'l Airport Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $29
- Hangzhou East Railway Station Transfer To Hangzhou Downtown City: $32
- Hangzhou Private Transfer: Railway Station to City Hotels: $33
- Hangzhou Downtown transfer to Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport: $35
- Private Hangzhou Airport Transfer from Railway Station: $41
- Private Hangzhou Airport Transfer to City Hotels or Railway Station: $41
- Hangzhou to Shanghai Bullet Train Ticket with Train Station Transfer: $45
- Hangzhou to Suzhou Bullet Train Ticket with Hangzhou Train Station Transfer: $51
Is it cheaper to fly into Hangzhou or Katoomba?
Prices for flights to both Katoomba 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 $18Katoomba $17
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
- 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 Water Town with Lunch or Dinner: $213
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hangzhou $20Katoomba $53
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
- Hangzhou West Lake Highlights Half Day Tour : $85
- Enduring Memories of Hangzhou Show Ticket with Private Transport: $89
- Half-Day Hangzhou Tianzhu Buddhist Mountain Hiking Tour with Green Tea Village : $89
- One-day Hangzhou Lakeside Mountains Relics & Ruins Hiking – Guided Outdoor Tour : $90
- Hangzhou Private Amazing English Tour Guide Service: $90
- Independent Tour to Shaoxing City from Hangzhou: $94
Tours and Activities in Katoomba
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Katoomba are as follows:
- Blue Mountains Hop On Hop Off Tour: $32
- Blue Mountains BarNSW Local Produce Tasting Experience: $37
- Blue Mountains 90 Minute Army Truck Adventures: $65
- Army Truck Adventures - 90 Minute Guided Tour: $66
- Half-Day Abseiling Adventure in Blue Mountains National Park: $83
- Blue Mountains 3 Hour Army Truck Adventures: $97
- Army Truck Adventures - 3 Hour Guided Tour: $98
- Blue Mountains 1-Hour Trike Tour of Three Sisters: $107
- Small-Group Blue Mountains Tour with Bush Walks and Featherdale Wildlife Park: $116
- 4Hrs at Wolgan Valley Birdwatching Experience: $129
- Truffle Hunt and Taste Experience in Oberon, NSW Australia: $146
- Private Blue Mountains Rainforest and Waterfalls SUV Tour: $165
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHangzhou $10Katoomba -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hangzhou and Katoomba, we can see that Katoomba is more expensive. And not only is Hangzhou much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Hangzhou is in Asia and Katoomba is in Pacific, 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 Katoomba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Katoomba 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 Katoomba Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hangzhou or Katoomba?
Hangzhou has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Katoomba. When comparing the sizes of Hangzhou and Katoomba, 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 Katoomba?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Katoomba is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Hangzhou has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Hangzhou or Katoomba in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hangzhou and Katoomba. Also, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Katoomba this time of year.
In July, Hangzhou is generally a little warmer than Katoombain January. Daily temperatures in Hangzhou average around 29°C (85°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).
Katoomba receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hangzhou gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Hangzhou usually receives more rain than Katoombain January. Hangzhou gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryHangzhou 29°C (85°F)Katoomba 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Hangzhou or Katoomba in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hangzhou as well as Katoomba. Also, many travelers come to Katoomba for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
Hangzhou is around the same temperature as Katoomba in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hangzhou averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (65°F)in April.
Hangzhou usually gets more rain in October than Katoombain April. Hangzhou gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilHangzhou 19°C (66°F)Katoomba 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Hangzhou or Katoomba in the Winter?
Both Katoomba and Hangzhou are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Katoomba in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Hangzhou. In the winter, Hangzhou is much colder than Katoomba. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hangzhou in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Katoomba averages at about 11°C (51°F)in July.
In January, Hangzhou usually receives more rain than Katoombain July. Hangzhou gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyHangzhou 5°C (41°F)Katoomba 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Hangzhou or Katoomba in the Spring?
Both Katoomba and Hangzhou during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Katoomba for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Hangzhou is generally around the same temperature as Katoombain October. Daily temperatures in Hangzhou average around 16°C (61°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Hangzhou. Hangzhou usually gets more rain in April than Katoombain October. Hangzhou gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberHangzhou 16°C (61°F)Katoomba 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Katoomba and Hangzhou
| Hangzhou | Katoomba | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (50°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 42 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (56°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 70 mm (2.8 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.