Which place is cheaper, Santo Domingo or Hanoi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Hanoi or Santo Domingo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hanoi and Santo Domingo can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Hanoi or Santo Domingo?
Hanoi
Hanoi is the chaotic capital of Vietnam, and it serves as a great introduction to the country for many travelers. It's the second largest city in the country after Saigon and is an interesting combination of East meets West. There's traditional Vietnamese culture with subtle influences brought by the French. The city continues to grow and change rapidly and it's easy to get lost amidst the chaos.
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, is a vibrant city that seamlessly blends history, culture, and modernity. Known for being the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas, Santo Domingo offers a wealth of experiences that cater to every type of traveler.
Traveling to Santo Domingo on a budget is entirely achievable with some strategic planning. Accommodations range from luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels and guesthouses. The Zona Colonial, the historic district, offers several affordable lodging options that provide easy access to major attractions. Hostels offer comfortable accommodations and a chance to meet fellow travelers, too. Eating on a budget is also feasible in Santo Domingo. Local eateries, known as "comedores," serve traditional Dominican dishes at reasonable prices.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Vietnam, The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam, The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, and The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic.
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Hanoi Prices
Vietnam PricesSanto Domingo Prices
Dominican Republic Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHanoi $58Santo Domingo $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Hanoi is $58, while the average daily cost in Santo Domingo is $103. 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 Hanoi and Santo Domingo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHanoi $25Santo Domingo $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHanoi $50Santo Domingo $84
Compare Hotels in Hanoi and Santo Domingo
Looking for a hotel in Hanoi or Santo Domingo? 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: Hanoi Hotel Prices and Santo Domingo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hanoi $6.64Santo Domingo $4.78
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hanoi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hanoi:
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Taxi to Bus Station$1.15
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Shuttle Bus From Airport (for Two)$3.08
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Local Bus Ride (for Two)$0.38
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Short Taxi Ride$1.31
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Short Motorbike Ride (10 Minutes)$0.77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hanoi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hanoi:
- Private Transfer: Hanoi Airport - Sapa - Halong - Ninh Binh: $7.90
- Noi Bai Airport transfer to Hanoi Center and more: $8.00
- HAN Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $9.62
- Budget Shared Transfer Noi Bai Airport HAN to Hanoi Hotels: $9.99
- Hanoi Airport Departure Shared Transfer: $10
- Hanoi Private Transfer: Hanoi Airport - City - Halong - Ninh Binh: $11
- Hanoi to Noi Bai International Airport Private Transfer: $11
- Bus Transfer Hanoi to Halong Bay and Vice Versa: $11
- Private Transfer Between Hanoi Airport and Hanoi Center: $12
- Private Transfer from Hanoi Noi Bai Airport (HAN) to Hanoi Port: $13
- HaNoi City to Noi Bai Airport transfer by private car: $13
- Ha Noi airport Arrival or Departure By Private car transfers: $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santo Domingo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santo Domingo:
- Cibao International Airport (STI) to Santo Domingo - Arrival Private Transfer: $92
- Dominican Republic: Premium Private Transfer to Airports (SDQ PUJ STI LRM): $63
- La Romana Airport (LRM) to Santo Domingo hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $61
- Las Américas Airport Private Transfer to Punta Cana: $107
- Las Galeras / Samana to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) - Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Private Arrival Transfer: Santo Domingo International Airport to Hotels (1 - 4): $184
- Private Arrival Transfer: Santo Domingo International Airport to Hotels (8 - 11): $244
- Private Quad Tour to El Limón Waterfall with Transfer: $70
- Private Santo Domingo Transfer: $45
- Private Transfer SDQ Airport → Santo Domingo | Safe & On-Time: $45
- Private Transfer Santo Domingo Airport SDQ to Santo Domingo Port: $53
- Private Transfer Santo Domingo Port to Santo Domingo Airport SDQ: $53
Is it cheaper to fly into Hanoi or Santo Domingo?
Prices for flights to both Santo Domingo and Hanoi 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 dayHanoi $23Santo Domingo $56
Typical Food Prices in Hanoi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hanoi:
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High End Dinner (for Two)$11
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.23
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Bowl of Pho$0.77
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Italian Dinner (for Food)$5.96
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hanoi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hanoi.
- Private Hanoi Old Quarter Street Food Tour with Student Guide: $1.89
- (Group/Individual) HANOI STREET FOOD TOUR: $5.13
- Hanoi Street Food Tour: Old Quarter Food & Local Experiences: $19
- Hanoi Cooking Class: Pho/Bun Cha/Banh Xeo...+Free Egg/Salt Coffee: $19
- Hanoi local street food tour: $20
- Hanoi Street Food Tour with egg coffee making: $20
- Hanoi Walking Street Food Tour with Train-Street Visit: $21
- Hanoi Street Food Tour: Hidden Local Eats & Full Meal Experience: $22
- Hanoi Street Food Tour with Train Street Visit: $22
- Hanoi food tour-Local street food tour (food&guide included): $23
- Hanoi Street Food Tour: $23
- Hanoi Farm-to-Table Cooking Class with Village Cycling: $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santo Domingo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santo Domingo.
- Cooking Class in Santo Domingo:6 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $42
- Food Tour & Paradise Beach Day with Drinks: $140
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hanoi $8.20Santo Domingo $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hanoi
Here are a few typical costs in Hanoi for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Puppet Theater$1.54
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The Hanoi Hilton Entrance$1.54
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National History Museum$1.54
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Puppet Theater Ticket$2.69
Tours and Activities in Hanoi
Here are a few actual costs in Hanoi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Hanoi Old Quarter City Sightseeing Cycling Private Tour By Cyclo: $1.81
- Ha Giang Loop Motorbike Adventure with Easy Rider, Round-Trip Bus: $1.89
- 2-Day Ninh Binh Tour: Cuc Phuong, Van Long, Bai Dinh, Trang An: $1.89
- Private Hanoi City Sightseeing Shore Excursion From Halong Port: $1.89
- Hanoi City Cycling Tour: West Lake, Old Quarter & Cultural Sights: $1.89
- Hanoi Highlights & Shopping Shore Excursion Tour from Halong Port: $1.89
- Ninh Binh Tour: Trang An, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, Bai Dinh Pagoda: $1.89
- Ninh Binh Tràng An Boat Trip, Bai Dinh Pagoda, Mua Cave Tour: $1.89
- Sapa Motorbike Tour: Cat Cat Village, O Quy Ho Pass, Waterfall: $1.89
- Sapa Cat Cat Village, Y Linh Ho Tour By Motorbike Or Walking: $1.89
- Hanoi Old Quarter Customized City Sightseeing Private Tour: $1.89
- Sapa Herbal Incense Handicrafts Making Workshop Tour From Sapa: $1.89
Typical Entertainment Prices in Santo Domingo
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Santo Domingo are as follows:
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Snorkeling Tour$43
Tours and Activities in Santo Domingo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santo Domingo are as follows:
- Tour a las Mejores Playas del Caribe: $5.00
- The Battle of Santo Domingo 4D Experience: $5.00
- The Battle of Santo Domingo 4D Experience: $5.00
- Tainos 4D Experience in Santo Domingo's Colonial City: $6.00
- Taínos 4D Experience Discover the Legacy of the Caribbean: $6.00
- Colonial Zone Walking Tour with Tastings: $20
- Colonial Zone Tour with tasting: $20
- Ron Barcelo Anejo Experience Factory Tour: $20
- Colonial Zone Walking Tour with Coffee: $20
- Chocolate Tour + Optional Workshops: $21
- Santo Domingo Tuk Tuk Experience: $25
- Zona Colonial Hictorical Tour with a local artist: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHanoi $7.42Santo Domingo $7.86
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hanoi and Santo Domingo, we can see that Santo Domingo is more expensive. And not only is Hanoi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Hanoi is in Asia and Santo Domingo is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Hanoi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hanoi 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 Santo Domingo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santo Domingo than you might in Hanoi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hanoi Expensive? and Is Santo Domingo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hanoi or Santo Domingo?
Santo Domingo has a larger population, and is about 54% larger than the population of Hanoi. When comparing the sizes of Hanoi and Santo Domingo, 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.