Which place is cheaper, Xiamen 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 Xiamen?
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 Xiamen 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 Xiamen?
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.
Xiamen
Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Vietnam, The Best G Adventures Tours to Vietnam, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.
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Hanoi Prices
Vietnam PricesXiamen Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHanoi $57Xiamen $84
The average daily cost (per person) in Hanoi is $57, while the average daily cost in Xiamen is $84. 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 Xiamen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHanoi $25Xiamen $31
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHanoi $50Xiamen $62
Compare Hotels in Hanoi and Xiamen
Looking for a hotel in Hanoi or Xiamen? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hanoi $6.54Xiamen $6.08
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$1.14
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Shuttle Bus From Airport (for Two)$3.03
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Local Bus Ride (for Two)$0.38
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Short Taxi Ride$1.29
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Short Motorbike Ride (10 Minutes)$0.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hanoi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hanoi:
- Wonder Bay Cruise 1 Day Trip Transfer from Hanoi by Expressway: $80
- VIP LUXURY Sapa 2D1N -TRANSFER BY LUX LIMOUSINE CAR (Stay at 5* hotel): $189
- V.I.P Halong/Lan Ha Bay Full Day With Luxury Transfer From Hanoi: $120
- Transfer Hanoi to Halong Super Limousine Morning Bus: $33
- The most Luxury Day Cruise with transfer from Ha Noi & Drink : $101
- The Best Sapa Tour 2D1N At 3 Star Hotel by sleeping BUS TRANSFER : $116
- Symphony Cruise- Luxury Day Trip From Hanoi With Express Transfer: $105
- Shuttle Bus Transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay : $17
- Sapa Trekking 2 Days 1 Night Transfer By Sleeper Bus: $150
- Sapa Trek Tours -2D1N Stay At 3*** -TRANSFER BY SLEEPING BUS: $139
- Sapa Tours 2D1N stay At 4 stars hotel nice Sleeping Bus TRANSFER : $138
- SAPA 2 Days Trekking Tour Transfer from HANOI (Hotel Overnight): $135
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen City and Yongding Hakka Tulou : $115
- Private Arrival Transfer from Gaoqi Airport to Xiamen City Hotel: $10
- Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and HongKeng Hakka Tulou Cluster: $89
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hui'an county in Quanzhou: $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster : $89
- Private Transfer from Xiamen North Railway Station to City Area: $19
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Hongkeng Tulou from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Hongkeng Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng and HekengHakka Tulou fromXiamen: $90
Is it cheaper to fly into Hanoi or Xiamen?
Prices for flights to both Xiamen 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 $23Xiamen $46
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)$4.17
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Bowl of Pho$0.76
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Italian Dinner (for Food)$5.88
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hanoi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hanoi.
- Hanoi Cooking Class: Pho/Bun Cha/Banh Xeo...+Free Egg/Salt Coffee: $19
- Hanoi local street food tour: $20
- Hanoi food tour-Local street food tour (food&guide included): $22
- Hanoi Street Food Tour with Train Street Visit: $22
- Hanoi Street Food Tour: $23
- Hanoi Street Food Tour with Local Delicacies (3 Hours): $24
- Best Hanoi Day Street Food Tour with Real Foodie Tastings: $24
- Hanoi Food Tours: $24
- Best Seller Hanoi Street Food Tour with Train Street Visit: $25
- Hanoi Street Food Tour - Best Price: $25
- Ninh Binh Cooking Class at Buffalo Cave: $25
- Half Day Street Food Tours in Hanoi: $25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hanoi $8.07Xiamen $16
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$1.52
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The Hanoi Hilton Entrance$1.52
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National History Museum$1.52
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Puppet Theater Ticket$2.65
Tours and Activities in Hanoi
Here are a few actual costs in Hanoi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day Dia Tang Phi Lai, Cay Thi Pagoda and Trang An Complex Tour: $122
- 2 Day Private Guided Tour in Pu Luong Nature Hanoi: $169
- 2 Day Victory Cruise to Explore Halong Bay from Hanoi: $170
- 2 Days Hanoi City Bus Tour Experience: $239
- 2 Days and 1 Night Lan Ha Bay Adventure from Hanoi: $245
- 2 days 1 Night Sapa Trekking Group Tour: $126
- 2 days 1 night Sapa trekking group tour at homestay: $160
- 2-Day Ta Chi Nhu Mountain Hiking Experience: $228
- 2-day Explore Halong Bay in Caravella Cruise: $268
- 3D2N Cao Bang Ba Be Lake Experience: $190
- 3D2N Sapa Bac Ha Shared Tour: $245
- 4 Days 3 Nights Ha Giang Loop Tour from Hanoi by Sleeper Bus: $235
Tours and Activities in Xiamen
For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Sailing & Sea Experience.: $22
- Quanzhou Kaiyuan Temple & Luoyang Bridge Tour: $70
- Xiamen Private English Tour Guide Service: $93
- Xiamen Private Half Day Tour of Gulangyu Island and Shuzhuang Garden: $97
- A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Local Food Market Experience: $103
- 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $115
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
- Shanghai Metro Tour: $127
- Xiamen Layover Day Tour-Gulangyu,Shuzhuang Garden And Piano Museum: $132
- Xiamen Half-Day Private Tour include Gulang Yu Island and Garden : $135
- Tour Guide and Car: Private Day Tour to Yunshuiyao Ancient Village from Xiamen: $140
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHanoi $7.30Xiamen $17
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hanoi and Xiamen, we can see that Xiamen is more expensive. And not only is Hanoi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Xiamen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Xiamen 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 Xiamen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hanoi or Xiamen?
Hanoi has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Xiamen. When comparing the sizes of Hanoi and Xiamen, 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 Hanoi or Xiamen?
Xiamen has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Hanoi experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Hanoi or Xiamen in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Hanoi as well as Xiamen. Hanoi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Hanoi is around the same temperature as Xiamen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hanoi in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Xiamen averages at about 30°C (86°F).
It's quite rainy in Xiamen. Hanoi receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hanoi usually gets more rain in July than Xiamen. Hanoi gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year. May to September in Hanoi is the rainy season.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHanoi 29°C (84°F)Xiamen 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Hanoi or Xiamen in the Autumn?
Both Xiamen and Hanoi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hanoi throughout the year.
In October, Hanoi is generally around the same temperature as Xiamen. Daily temperatures in Hanoi average around 25°C (77°F), and Xiamen fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite rainy in Hanoi. In October, Hanoi usually receives more rain than Xiamen. Hanoi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Hanoi is November to April.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHanoi 25°C (77°F)Xiamen 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Hanoi or Xiamen in the Winter?
Both Xiamen and Hanoi during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hanoi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Hanoi is a little warmer than Xiamen in the winter. The daily temperature in Hanoi averages around 17°C (63°F) in January, and Xiamen fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
Hanoi usually gets less rain in January than Xiamen. Hanoi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHanoi 17°C (63°F)Xiamen 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Hanoi or Xiamen in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hanoi and Xiamen. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hanoi year-round.
In the spring, Hanoi is a little warmer than Xiamen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hanoi in April average around 24°C (75°F), and Xiamen averages at about 20°C (69°F).
Xiamen receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hanoi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Hanoi usually receives less rain than Xiamen. Hanoi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. November to April in Hanoi is the dry season. Also, May to September is the rainy season in Hanoi.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHanoi 24°C (75°F)Xiamen 20°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Xiamen and Hanoi
| Hanoi | Xiamen | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (63°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Nov | 22°C (72°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 25 mm (1 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.