Which place is cheaper, Sydney or Hangzhou?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Hangzhou or Sydney?
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 Sydney. 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 Sydney?
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.
Sydney
Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.
-
Hangzhou Prices
China PricesSydney Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHangzhou $80Sydney $207
The average daily cost (per person) in Hangzhou is $80, while the average daily cost in Sydney is $207. 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 Sydney in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHangzhou $24Sydney $103
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHangzhou $48Sydney $206
Compare Hotels in Hangzhou and Sydney
Looking for a hotel in Hangzhou or Sydney? 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: Sydney Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hangzhou $8.24Sydney $15
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:
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area : $29
- 2-Day Putuo Mountain Self-Guided Tour from Hangzhou by Private Transfer: $282
- Enduring Memories of Hangzhou West Lake Show VIP Ticket with Private Transfer: $128
- Hangzhou Downtown transfer to Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport: $35
- Hangzhou Private Transfer to Shanghai with Drop-off Options : $131
- Hangzhou Private Transfer to Shanghai with stop-over at Wuzhen Water Town: $167
- Hangzhou West Lake Impression Ticket with Private Transfer: $122
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport Chauffeur Service,Hangzhou Airport Transfer: $59
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport TransferTo Shanghai Pudong Airport: $140
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan Int'l Airport Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $29
- Hangzhou to Huangshan Bullet Train Ticket with Hangzhou Train Station Transfer: $53
- Hangzhou to Huangshan Bullet Train Ticket with Local Private Transfer : $87
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sydney
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:
-
Taxi Ride$13
-
Taxi to Airport$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:
- 11:30AM Sydney Airport-Hotel transfer with Bondi Tour: $125
- 9:30AM Sydney Airport-Hotel transfer with City Half Day Tour: $112
- Airport Transfer: Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney by Business Car: $112
- Airport Transfer: Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney by Luxury Van: $125
- Arrival Transfer from Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney city by Sedan: $90
- Arrival Transfer: Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney in Business Car: $112
- Chauffeur Airport Transfers Sydney - Up to 15 Passengers: $99
- Chauffeur Service Sydney For Luxury Airport Transfers: $112
- Departing Luxury Transfer to Airport or Cruise Port: $67
- Departure Transfer: Sydney to Sydney Airport SYD in Business Car: $112
- Featherdale Wildlife Park with Exclusive Private Transfers: $235
- From Sydney Hotels - Hotel Transfer to Airport: $355
Is it cheaper to fly into Hangzhou or Sydney?
Prices for flights to both Sydney 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 dayHangzhou $31Sydney $77
Typical Food Prices in Hangzhou
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hangzhou:
-
Breakfast Pastries$2.38
-
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
- Xitang Water Town Private Night Tour from Hangzhou with Dinner: $203
- Hangzhou Private Tour to Wuzhen Water Town with Lunch or Dinner: $213
- Hangzhou Private Tour to Wuzhen and Xitang Water Town with Dinner and Boat Ride: $282
Typical Food Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:
-
Tea$2.62
-
Lunch Special$9.81
-
Food/Drink Coogie Beach$9.81
-
Meat Pies$3.27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sydney.
- Vivid Festival of Light Harbor Cruise with Dinner: $36
- City Highlights Walking Food Tour with Harbor Cruise: $45
- Roti Making Class with 5-Course Dinner: $50
- Harbour Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $50
- Foraging Food Tour Sydney Native Aussie Food: $53
- Sydney's Little Italy Food Tour: $54
- Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $59
- Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
- Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Twilight Dinner Cruise: $60
- Kids Cooking Classes: $64
- Tall Ship Harbour Twilight Dinner Cruise: $72
- Sydney Harbour: Latin Fiesta Dinner Cruise: $73
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hangzhou $20Sydney $31
Tours and Activities in Hangzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Hangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Fei Lai Peak (Lingyin Temple) E-Ticket: $12
- Hangzhou Ghost Market Adventure: Antique Hunt & Bargain Tour: $40
- A Local Breakfast Experience and TCM visit: $46
- Hangzhou Bites: Local Guided Market Tour: $49
- The Key to Zhejiang Culture – Guided Museum Tour: $53
- Authentic Hangzhou Longjing Tea Culture Experience Tour : $53
- Best Price: Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $59
- Skip the Line: Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $65
- Zhejiang University Guided Campus Tour: $65
- Zuiyi Hangzhou Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $75
- Skip the Line Impression West Lake VIP Seat Ticket: $75
- Traditional Hanfu Clothes Photo Shoot Experience: $82
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sydney
Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Theatre Show$29
-
Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)$30
-
Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)$125
-
Powerhouse Museum$9.85
Tours and Activities in Sydney
Here are a few actual costs in Sydney for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Haunted Sydney Self-Guided Audio Ghost Tour: $5.00
- Sydney Cockatoo Island Escape: Convict Adventure Game: $7.16
- Sydney Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $7.16
- Sydney Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $8.35
- Self Guided Electric Bike Tour of Sydney Beaches: $10
- Sydney Half Day Tour with a Local: 100% Personalized & Private : $14
- Experience Sydney Audio Tour Adventure: $15
- Discover Self-Guided Audio Tour: $16
- Tickets & Tours at Art Gallery of New South Wales: $17
- Aboriginal Art Exhibition Ticket, Art Gallery of NSW: $17
- Razor Gangs True Crime Tour: $17
- Allianz Stadium Guided Tour: $18
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayHangzhou $10Sydney $15
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:
-
Wine$10
Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sydney:
- Big Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Party Hosts: $32
- Private Wine Tasting at The Rocks: $46
- Sydney Cellar Door - Old Vine Expressions Wine Tasting: $47
- From: Sydney - Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Guided Day Tour: $89
- Sydney Beer and Brewery Tour: $104
- Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $112
- Shared Sydney City Walking Tour and Wine Tasting: $124
- From Full-Day Hunter Valley Wine Tour & Lunch: $145
- From Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Day Tour: $145
- From Hunter Valley Multi-Brewery Tour with Lunch: $149
- Small Group Hunter Valley Wine Tour + Lunch, Gin & Choc ex Sydney: $151
- From All Inclusive Boutique Hunter Valley Wine Tour: $155
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hangzhou and Sydney, we can see that Sydney 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 Sydney 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 Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney 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 Sydney Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hangzhou or Sydney?
Sydney has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Hangzhou. When comparing the sizes of Hangzhou and Sydney, 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 Sydney?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sydney 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 Sydney in the Summer?
Both Sydney and Hangzhou are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Sydney for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Hangzhou is a little warmer than Sydney. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hangzhou in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Sydney averages at about 23°C (73°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sydney. It's quite rainy in Hangzhou. In July, Hangzhou usually receives more rain than Sydneyin January. Hangzhou gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryHangzhou 29°C (85°F)Sydney 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Hangzhou or Sydney in the Autumn?
Both Sydney and Hangzhou during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Sydney because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Hangzhou is generally around the same temperature as Sydneyin April. Daily temperatures in Hangzhou average around 19°C (66°F), and Sydney fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
Sydney gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hangzhou usually gets less rain in October than Sydneyin April. Hangzhou gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilHangzhou 19°C (66°F)Sydney 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Hangzhou or Sydney in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hangzhou and Sydney. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sydney this time of year.
The weather in Hangzhou can be very cold. Hangzhou is much colder than Sydney in the winter. The daily temperature in Hangzhou averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Sydney fluctuates around 12°C (53°F)in July.
In January, Hangzhou usually receives more rain than Sydneyin July. Hangzhou gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyHangzhou 5°C (41°F)Sydney 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Hangzhou or Sydney in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Hangzhou as well as Sydney. Additionally, many travelers come to Sydney for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Hangzhou is around the same temperature as Sydney. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hangzhou in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Sydney averages at about 18°C (64°F)in October.
Hangzhou receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hangzhou usually gets more rain in April than Sydneyin October. Hangzhou gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberHangzhou 16°C (61°F)Sydney 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Sydney and Hangzhou
| Hangzhou | Sydney | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (50°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (56°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 81 mm (3.2 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.