A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hat Yai vs. Xi'an for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hat Yai 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 Hat Yai 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: Hat Yai or Xi'an?

Hat Yai

The fourth largest city of Thailand, Hat Yai is a popular tourist destination, especially on weekends and holidays for people in neighboring Malaysia and Singapore. It is best known as a commercial hub and shopping destination, and for its floating market and Buddhist temple.

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 Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Xi'an or Hat Yai?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Hat Yai is $17, while the average daily cost in Xi'an is $96. 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 Hat Yai and Xi'an in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hat Yai $5.56
    Xi'an $61
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hat Yai $11
    Xi'an $122
Compare Hotels in Hat Yai and Xi'an

Looking for a hotel in Hat Yai 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.

Hotels in Hat Yai


Hotels in Xian


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: Hat Yai Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hat Yai $0.68
    Xi'an $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hat Yai

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hat Yai:

  • Private Hatyai Airport Transfer to Pak Bara Pier by Van: $77
  • Private Van transfer from Hatyai Airport to Pak Bara Pier: $81
  • Private Van transfer from Hatyai City to Pak Bara Pier: $81
  • Transfer from Hatyai Airport to Koh Lipe: $26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xi'an

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Xi'an:

  • Xi'an Airport Transfer: $17
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Xi'an Central Train Station to Hotel: $21
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Xi'an Central Train Station: $21
  • Private Departure Transfer to Xi'an International Airport from City Hotels: $22
  • Private Transfer from Xi'an hotel to Xi'an train station: $27
  • Airport Transfer] Xi'an Airport Xi'an City Transfer High reputation for service! : $27
  • Private Transfer BetweenXi'an Airport/Rainway station and Hotel: $28
  • Private Airport Transfer: Xi'an Hotel to Xianyang International Airport: $29
  • Private Airport Transfer:Xi'an Xianyang International Airport to Xi'an Hotel: $29
  • Xi’an Xianyang International Airport Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $29
  • Xi’an Railway Station Private Departure Transfer from City Area: $29
  • Xian City to Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) - Departure Private Transfer: $29

Is it cheaper to fly into Hat Yai or Xi'an?

Prices for flights to both Xi'an and Hat Yai 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 day
    Hat Yai $11
    Xi'an $13
Typical Food Prices in Hat Yai

Some typical examples of dining costs in Hat Yai are as follows:


  • Roti Snack
    $0.59

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
  • Xi'an Twilight Sightseeing and Food Tour: $51
  • Tang Dynasty Dinner Show with Private transfer: $55
  • Private Xi'an Food Tour: $65
  • Private Old Xi'an Authentic Local Beer Dinner Tour: $68
  • 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
  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hat Yai -
    Xi'an $36

Tours and Activities in Hat Yai

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hat Yai are as follows:

  • One Way Speedboat and Van Ticket Koh Lipe to Hat Yai Airport: $33
  • One Way Van and Speedboat Ticket Hat Yai Airport to Koh Lipe: $33

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
  • Terracotta Warriors Museum Tickets Booking: $22
  • Terra-cotta Warriors Entrance Ticket with Optional Guided Service: $26
  • Terracotta Warriors Tickets Booking: $28
  • Terracotta Army Ticket: $28
  • Terracotta Army Tickets Booking: $28
  • Terra Cotta Army Warriors Ticket Pre-booking and Guide Services: $28
  • Terracotta Army Tickets Booking: $28
  • Terracotta Warriors 5-Hour Private Tour: $30
  • Tang Dynasty Palace Show Tickets Booking: $32
  • Group Bus Tour to Terracotta Warriors with Hotel Pickup & Lunch: $35
  • Terra-cotta Warriors Ticket with Optional Car & Guided Service: $38

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hat Yai $2.74
    Xi'an $7.37
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hat Yai

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Hat Yai:


  • Beer
    $1.78


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hat Yai and Xi'an, we can see that Xi'an is more expensive. And not only is Hat Yai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hat Yai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hat Yai 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 Hat Yai.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hat Yai Expensive? and Is Xi'an Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Hat Yai or Xi'an?

Xi'an has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Hat Yai. When comparing the sizes of Hat Yai 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.