Which place is cheaper, Suzhou or Hangzhou?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hangzhou or Suzhou?
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 Suzhou. 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 Suzhou?
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.
Suzhou
Suzhou is a city in Jiangsu province famed for its beautiful gardens and traditional waterside architecture, featuring elaborate canals and bridges. Located on the Yangtze Delta, the city consists largely of waterways making Suzhou a kind of 'Venice of the Orient.' It is also a hub for scholars, artists, and skilled craftsmen.
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 $65Suzhou $102
The average daily cost (per person) in Hangzhou is $65, while the average daily cost in Suzhou is $102. 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 Suzhou in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHangzhou $23Suzhou $38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHangzhou $46Suzhou $76
Compare Hotels in Hangzhou and Suzhou
Looking for a hotel in Hangzhou or Suzhou? 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 $8.13Suzhou $57
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
- Private Transfer to Impression West Lake show in Hangzhou: $27
- Hangzhou Private Transfer: City Hotels to Railway Station: $28
- [Airport Transfer] Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport ⇔ Hangzhou City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $29
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area : $29
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan Int'l Airport Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $29
- Hangzhou Railway Station Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $29
- Hangzhou Railway Station Private Arrival Transfer to City Area : $29
- Hangzhou East Railway Station Transfer To Hangzhou Downtown City: $32
- Hangzhou Private Transfer: Railway Station to City Hotels: $33
- Hangzhou Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Railway Station: $34
- Private Hangzhou Airport Transfer from Railway Station: $41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Suzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Suzhou:
- Full-Day Suzhou Gardens Exploration with Hotel or Railway Station Transfer: $227
- Hangzhou Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Wuzhen Water Town : $143
- Nanjing Downtown hotels to Lukou Intl Airport (NKG) - Departure Private Transfer: $33
- Private Arrival Transfer: Suzhou Train Station to Hotels in Suzhou: $44
- Private Day Tour: Suzhou Highlights with Hotel or Railway Station Transfer: $227
- Private Departure Transfer to Shanghai Airport from Suzhou City Hotel: $68
- Private Departure Transfer to Suzhou Train Station from City Hotel: $44
- Private Round-Trip Transfer between Tongli Water Town and Suzhou City : $58
- Private Round-Trip Transfer between Zhouzhuang Water Town and Suzhou City: $58
- Private Transfer to Hangzhou City from Suzhou: $113
- Shanghai Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Tongli Water Town : $90
- Shanghai Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Zhouzhuang Water Town : $81
Is it cheaper to fly into Hangzhou or Suzhou?
Prices for flights to both Suzhou 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 $18Suzhou $32
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Suzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Suzhou.
- Suzhou Alleyway Walking Food Tour With Locals: $55
- Private Suzhou Night Tour:Master of the Nets Garden, Ancient Canal with Dinner: $145
- Zhouzhuang Water Town Private Tour from Suzhou with Lunch or Dinner Option: $154
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hangzhou $20Suzhou $9.34
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 Plantation Culture Experience Tour: $53
- Hangzhou Longjing Tea 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
- Half-Day Hangzhou Tianzhu Buddhist Mountain Hiking Tour with Green Tea Village : $89
- Enduring Memories of Hangzhou Show Ticket with Private Transport: $89
- Independent Tour to Shaoxing City from Hangzhou: $94
- Night Tour with Impression West Lake Show VIP Ticket and Hefang Heritage Street : $95
- Hangzhou Impressoin West Lake- Enduring Memory of Hangzhou Show Tour: $100
- Songcheng Park & Lengend of Song Dynasty Show Ticket: $100
Tours and Activities in Suzhou
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Suzhou are as follows:
- Suzhou Self-Guided Tour with Private Car and Driver Service : $65
- Zhouzhuang and Tongli Self-Guided Tour from Suzhou with Drop-off Options : $70
- 4-Hour Suzhou Private Customized Tour: $71
- Suzhou Private English Tour Guide Service: $91
- Suzhou Private Walking Tour with Panmen Gate, City Moat and Yiyuan Garden: $101
- Wuxi Self-Guided Tour from Suzhou by Private Car : $103
- 4-Hour Flexible Suzhou City Highlights Private Tour: $114
- 4-Hour Suzhou Private Flexible Tour with Garden and Boat Ride Option: $125
- 4-Hour Tongli Water Town Private Tour from Suzhou with Boat Ride : $127
- Private Suzhou City Amazing Day Tour in Your Way : $127
- Private Flexible Suzhou Day Tour with Old and New Highlights: $127
- 4-Hour Suzhou Private Tour: Humble Administrator’s Garden,Tiger Hill and Canal : $134
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHangzhou $10Suzhou $6.41
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hangzhou and Suzhou, we can see that Suzhou 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 Suzhou would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Suzhou 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 Suzhou Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hangzhou or Suzhou?
Hangzhou has a larger population, and is about 40% larger than the population of Suzhou. When comparing the sizes of Hangzhou and Suzhou, 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 Suzhou?
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 Suzhou in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hangzhou and Suzhou.
In July, Hangzhou is generally around the same temperature as Suzhou. Daily temperatures in Hangzhou average around 29°C (85°F), and Suzhou fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
Suzhou receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hangzhou gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Hangzhou usually receives around the same amount of rain as Suzhou. Hangzhou gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHangzhou 29°C (85°F)Suzhou 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Hangzhou or Suzhou in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hangzhou as well as Suzhou.
Hangzhou is around the same temperature as Suzhou in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hangzhou averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Suzhou fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
Hangzhou usually gets more rain in October than Suzhou. Hangzhou gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHangzhou 19°C (66°F)Suzhou 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Hangzhou or Suzhou in the Winter?
Both Suzhou and Hangzhou are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Suzhou. It's quite cold in Hangzhou in the winter. In the winter, Hangzhou is a little warmer than Suzhou. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hangzhou in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Suzhou averages at about 4°C (39°F).
In January, Hangzhou usually receives more rain than Suzhou. Hangzhou gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHangzhou 5°C (41°F)Suzhou 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Hangzhou or Suzhou in the Spring?
Both Suzhou and Hangzhou during the spring are popular places to visit.
In April, Hangzhou is generally a little warmer than Suzhou. Daily temperatures in Hangzhou average around 16°C (61°F), and Suzhou fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
Suzhou gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hangzhou. Hangzhou usually gets more rain in April than Suzhou. Hangzhou gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHangzhou 16°C (61°F)Suzhou 15°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Suzhou and Hangzhou
| Hangzhou | Suzhou | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (50°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (56°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 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.