Which place is cheaper, Tainan City or Hangzhou?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Hangzhou or Tainan City?
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 Tainan City. 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 Tainan City?
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.
Tainan City
The oldest city in Taiwan, Tainan was once the nation's capital during imperial times and is today famous for its temples and historic buildings which speak to this distant past. Additionally Tainan has become known for its lively night markets and fantastic snack foods available from a large concentrate of street vendors located throughout the city.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Tours for Seniors to Taiwan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Taiwan.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHangzhou $67Tainan City $111
The average daily cost (per person) in Hangzhou is $67, while the average daily cost in Tainan City is $111. 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 Tainan City in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHangzhou $24Tainan City $60
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHangzhou $48Tainan City $120
Compare Hotels in Hangzhou and Tainan City
Looking for a hotel in Hangzhou or Tainan City? 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: Tainan City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hangzhou $8.27Tainan City $19
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:
- Private Transfer between Hangzhou Songcheng Park and City Area: $23
- 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 Railway Station Private Arrival Transfer to City Area : $29
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan Int'l Airport Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $29
- Hangzhou Downtown Transfer To Hangzhou East Railway Station: $32
- Hangzhou East Railway Station Transfer To Hangzhou Downtown City: $32
- Hangzhou Downtown transfer to Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport: $35
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport To Hangzhou downtown city one way private transfer: $35
- Private Transfer between Hangzhou Safari Park and City Hotels: $37
- Private Hangzhou Airport Transfer from Railway Station: $41
- Private Hangzhou Airport Transfer from Xixi Wetland Resorts and Hotels: $43
Is it cheaper to fly into Hangzhou or Tainan City?
Prices for flights to both Tainan City 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 $18Tainan City $39
Typical Food Prices in Hangzhou
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hangzhou:
-
Breakfast Pastries$2.39
-
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
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hangzhou $20Tainan City $11
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
- 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
- Hangzhou Lingyin Temple Tour : $70
- Skip the Line Impression West Lake VIP Seat Ticket: $75
- Zuiyi Hangzhou Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $75
- Enduring Memories of Hangzhou Show Ticket with Private Transport: $89
- Hangzhou Private Amazing English Tour Guide Service: $90
- 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
- Hangzhou Lake Cycling - Half-day Local-Guided West Lake Cycling Tour: $111
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayHangzhou $10Tainan City $5.80
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hangzhou and Tainan City, we can see that Tainan City 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 Tainan City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tainan City 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 Tainan City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hangzhou or Tainan City?
Hangzhou has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Tainan City. When comparing the sizes of Hangzhou and Tainan City, 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.
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.