Which place is cheaper, Guangzhou or Hefei?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hefei or Guangzhou?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hefei or Guangzhou? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Hefei or Guangzhou?
Hefei
While most would consider the city of Hefei a pass-through destination, there are plenty of things to see in the capital city of China's Anhui province.
Guangzhou
With a population of more than 12 million, Guangzhou is the third largest city in China after Beijing and Shanghai. Though it has a long history, founded in 214 BC, the city has also many modern attractions, a mix of the old and new with temples and parks as well as skyscrapers and shopping centers. Its location on the Pearl River has contributed to this growth, making Guangzhou a major port and commercial hub.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, and The Best Luxury Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHefei $62Guangzhou $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Hefei is $62, while the average daily cost in Guangzhou is $89. 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 Hefei and Guangzhou in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHefei $28Guangzhou $57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHefei $56Guangzhou $114
Compare Hotels in Hefei and Guangzhou
Looking for a hotel in Hefei or Guangzhou? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hefei $17Guangzhou $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guangzhou:
- Canton Fair Private Transfer between Guangzhou City Center and Pazhou Complex : $32
- Guangzhou Airport (CAN) to Guangzhou - Arrival Private Transfer: $34
- Guangzhou Airport (CAN) to Guangzhou Round-Trip Private Transfer: $68
- Guangzhou Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 15 Pax: $170
- Guangzhou Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 5 pax: $120
- Guangzhou Airport: Private Transfer to/from Guangzhou: $70
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (CAN) to Guangzhou City - Arrival Private Transfer: $34
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service, To Dongguan Transfer: $120
- Guangzhou Night Pearl River Cruise VIP Seating with Private Transfer: $96
- Guangzhou Private Transfer from Guangzhou Airport (CAN) to central Guangzhou: $86
- Guangzhou Private Transfer from Guangzhou central to Guangzhou Airport (CAN): $86
- Guangzhou to Guangzhou Airport (CAN) - Departure Private Transfer: $34
Is it cheaper to fly into Hefei or Guangzhou?
Prices for flights to both Guangzhou and Hefei 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 dayHefei $21Guangzhou $19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guangzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guangzhou.
- Guangzhou Evening Food Tour Through Local Neighborhood: $65
- Guangzhou Night View Cruise Tour with Dinner: $90
- Private Guangzhou Night Tour VIP Cruise and Dim-Sum Dinner Option: $146
- 3-Hour Guangzhou Private Cooking Class with Local Market Visit : $165
- Private Guangzhou Night Tour with Canton Tower and Dim-Sum Dinner: $176
- Private Guangzhou Food Tour Michelin Restaurant&Local Food Market: $180
- Private Guangzhou Food Tour Yumcha and Local Food Market Explore: $180
- Guangzhou Private Night Tour: Lychee Bay, Beijing Road, Cruise, Dinner: $204
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hefei $19Guangzhou $18
Tours and Activities in Guangzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Guangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Foshan Classic Old Town Tour : $15
- Guangzhou Pearl River Night Cruise Ticket (Redemption Required): $21
- Original Martial Arts Tour : $40
- Discovery more Guangzhou evening foodie tour with locals : $65
- 5-Hour Sai Kwan Walking Tour with Unique Food Tasting: $72
- Guangzhou Self-Guided Tour with Private Car and Driver Service: $75
- Guided Cycle Tour of Guangzhou: $75
- Guangzhou Pearl River Night Cruise Tour: $77
- Small Group Guangzhou Layover Tour: $87
- Guangzhou Foodie Tour: $88
- Guangzhou Walking Tour To Explore The Old Xiguan Area: $89
- Walking Tour of Xiguan Ancient Town: $89
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHefei $11Guangzhou $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hefei and Guangzhou, we can see that Guangzhou is more expensive. And not only is Hefei much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hefei would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hefei 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 Guangzhou would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guangzhou than you might in Hefei.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hefei Expensive? and Is Guangzhou Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hefei or Guangzhou?
Guangzhou has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Hefei. When comparing the sizes of Hefei and Guangzhou, 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 Hefei or Guangzhou?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Hefei or Guangzhou in the Summer?
Both Guangzhou and Hefei are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In July, Hefei is generally around the same temperature as Guangzhou. Daily temperatures in Hefei average around 29°C (83°F), and Guangzhou fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Guangzhou. It's quite rainy in Hefei. In July, Hefei usually receives less rain than Guangzhou. Hefei gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHefei 29°C (83°F)Guangzhou 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Hefei or Guangzhou in the Autumn?
Both Guangzhou and Hefei during the autumn are popular places to visit.
Hefei is cooler than Guangzhou in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hefei averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Guangzhou fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).
Hefei usually gets less rain in October than Guangzhou. Hefei gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHefei 18°C (64°F)Guangzhou 25°C (76°F)
Should I visit Hefei or Guangzhou in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hefei and Guangzhou.
Hefei can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Hefei is much colder than Guangzhou. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hefei in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Guangzhou averages at about 14°C (58°F).
In January, Hefei usually receives less rain than Guangzhou. Hefei gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHefei 3°C (38°F)Guangzhou 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Hefei or Guangzhou in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Hefei as well as Guangzhou.
In April, Hefei is generally cooler than Guangzhou. Daily temperatures in Hefei average around 16°C (61°F), and Guangzhou fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
It's quite rainy in Guangzhou. Hefei usually gets less rain in April than Guangzhou. Hefei gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 182 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHefei 16°C (61°F)Guangzhou 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Guangzhou and Hefei
| Hefei | Guangzhou | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (50°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) |
| May | 22°C (71°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (78°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.1 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (53°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (42°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 24 mm (0.9 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.