Which place is cheaper, Xi'an or Hanoi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hanoi or Xi'an?
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 Xi'an 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 Xi'an?
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.
Xi'an
Xi'an is an ancient city in the Shaanxi Province in China. Today it is most notable as the location of the Terracotta Warriors, but for visitors who choose to linger, there is so much more to see and do in the area. The city itself is more than 3,000 years old and for about one thousand years, through 13 dynasties and 73 emperors, it was the capital. Because of its rich history there are many historical ruins and a strong culture in the city. Today the city is a pleasant place to visit, although much of it's influence and power has dwindled. The city has both cosmopolitan and modern areas as well as historic and culturally rich areas. The neighborhoods are diverse and by exploring the city in depth you can learn a little more about what China really has to offer.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Vietnam, The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHanoi $49Xi'an $94
The average daily cost (per person) in Hanoi is $49, while the average daily cost in Xi'an is $94. 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 Xi'an in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHanoi $25Xi'an $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHanoi $50Xi'an $120
Compare Hotels in Hanoi and Xi'an
Looking for a hotel in Hanoi or Xi'an? 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 $6.89Xi'an $12
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$1.20
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Shuttle Bus From Airport (for Two)$3.20
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Local Bus Ride (for Two)$0.40
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Short Taxi Ride$1.36
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Short Motorbike Ride (10 Minutes)$0.80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hanoi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hanoi:
- 1 Day Halong Cruise Tour with Transfer and early return to Hanoi: $24
- 1-Way Transfer between Hanoi and Ha Long via Limousine Bus: $22
- 2 Days 1 night Ba Be Lake BEST ADVENTURE: transfer,homestay,boat,kayak,swim,cave: $153
- 2 Days Halong Bay With Budget Cruise - Including Transfer From Hanoi: $148
- 2-Day Adenture Pu Luong Motorbike Tour with Transfer from HANOI : $125
- 2-Day Ninh Binh & Halong Bay With Transfer: $210
- 3-Day Halong Bay Cruise with Round-trip Transfer From Hanoi: $285
- 3-Day Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Halong Bay 5-Star Cruise & Transfer: $280
- 3-Day Pu Luong Jungle Ride Motorbike Tour Transfer from Hanoi: $200
- 3-Day Sapa Tour from Hanoi by Luxury Limousine Transfer: $201
- 3-Day Sapa Trekking Village With Local Guide & Transfer: $150
- 3-Night Sapa Trek and Homestay with Round Trip Transfer from Hanoi: $158
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xi'an
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Xi'an:
- Xi’an Xianyang International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area: $29
- 1-way Private Transfer: Xi'an City Hotel to Airport/Train Station: $55
- Airport Transfer] Xi'an Airport Xi'an City Transfer High reputation for service! : $27
- Full-Day Layover Private Tour: Essence of Xi'an With Airport Transfer: $197
- One Day Private Xian Tour to Terracotta Warriors with Airport Transfers: $170
- One-Way Airport Transfer From Xi'an Xianyang International Airport to Xi'an Hotel: $75
- Private Airport Transfer: Xi'an Hotel to Xianyang International Airport: $29
- Private Airport Transfer:Xi'an Xianyang International Airport to Xi'an Hotel: $29
- Private Departure Transfer to Xi'an International Airport from City Hotels: $22
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Xi'an Central Train Station: $21
- Private Departure Transfer: Xi'an Hotels to Xi'an Airport (XIY): $43
- Private High-speed Train Arrival Transfer: Xi'an Bei (North) Station to Hotel: $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Hanoi or Xi'an?
Prices for flights to both Xi'an 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 $13Xi'an $12
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)$12
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.39
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Bowl of Pho$0.80
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Italian Dinner (for Food)$6.19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hanoi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hanoi.
- Street Food Tour (Group/Individual): $5.13
- (Group/Individual) HANOI STREET FOOD TOUR : $5.13
- Hanoi Street Food Tour Visit Train Street Add Old Quarter: $19
- Hanoi Walking Street Food Tour: $20
- Hanoi Street Food Tour: $22
- Hanoi Street Food Tour: $23
- Ngon ngon & Authentic Hanoi Food Tour: $23
- Mad Monkey Hoi An Cooking Class & Bamboo Boats: $23
- Vietnamese Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $24
- Vietnamese Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $24
- Walking Street Food Tour Small Group with Local Guide: $24
- Guided Half-Day Hanoi Street Food Tour: $25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Xi'an
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Xi'an.
- Skip the Line: Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket & Dumpling Dinner or Royal Banquet: $32
- Dinner and Show of Tang Dynasty Palace in Xian: $40
- Private Home Cooking Class:Dumpling Cooking Class Tour in Xi'an: $50
- Xi'an Food Tour by Tuk Tuk: $62
- Private Xi’an Night & Food Tour by Tuk Tuk and Public Transportation: $67
- Xi'an Evening Food Tour by TukTuk: $69
- 4 Hours Food Tours in Xi'an: $72
- 3-Hour Biang Biang Noodles Cooking Class in Xi'an: $75
- Authentic Muslim Alley Food Tour in Xi'an: $75
- Authentic Old Xi'an Back Street Food Tour : $75
- Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show and Dumpling Dinner with Hotel Transfer: $76
- Half-day Xi'an Steamed Buns(Baozi) Cooking Class with Market Visit: $78
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hanoi $8.51Xi'an $35
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$1.60
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The Hanoi Hilton Entrance$1.60
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National History Museum$1.60
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Puppet Theater Ticket$2.80
Tours and Activities in Hanoi
Here are a few actual costs in Hanoi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bus Ticket Cat Ba - Hanoi ( Bus+ Ferry ) - Best Selling: $0.02
- Hanoi Old Quarter Half-day Private Walking Tour : $5.00
- Private Walking City Tour in Hanoi : $5.00
- Private Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour: $5.00
- Hanoi Street Food Experience: $5.00
- Half-day Private Walking Tour of Hanoi's Old Quarter: $5.00
- Sightseeing Walking Tour in Hanoi: $5.00
- Street Food Walking Tour in Hanoi: $5.00
- Private Walking Tour of Hanoi City: $5.00
- Craft Village Tour (Quang Phu Cau, Bat Trang,...): $5.13
- Early Morning Tour | Free Private Tour Guide: $5.13
- Culture Exchange with Free Private Tour Guide: $5.13
Tours and Activities in Xi'an
Here are a few actual costs in Xi'an for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Xi'an Virtual Tour: Emperor Qin Shi Huang and His Terracotta Army: $15
- Terra-cotta Warriors Entrance Ticket with Optional Guided Service: $26
- Terracotta Warriors 5-Hour Private Tour w/ Optional Pickup Point: $26
- Terracotta Army Ticket: $28
- Group Bus Tour to Terracotta Warriors with Hotel Pickup & Lunch: $35
- Terracotta Warriors Tickets Booking: $35
- Tang Dynasty Palace Show Tickets Booking: $37
- Terra-cotta Warriors Ticket with Optional Car & Guided Service: $38
- Xi'an City Wall: Guided Tour with Cycling Option: $43
- Xi'an Religions Tour: $45
- Leisure Night Walking Tour of Xi’an: $46
- Xi'an City Walking Tour: $46
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHanoi $7.70Xi'an $7.23
Sample the Local Flavors in Hanoi
Also in Hanoi, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Hanoi Beer and Brewery Tour: $48
- Half-Day Guided Tour Australian Beef with Wine Tasting & Rickshaw in Hanoi: $106
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hanoi and Xi'an, we can see that Xi'an 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 Xi'an would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Xi'an 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 Xi'an Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hanoi or Xi'an?
Xi'an has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Hanoi. When comparing the sizes of Hanoi and Xi'an, 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.