Which place is cheaper, Hangzhou or Hefei?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hefei or Hangzhou?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hefei or Hangzhou? 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 Hangzhou?
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.
Hangzhou
Hangzhou is a city in Eastern China, about an hour by train from Shanghai, renowned for its historic relics and natural beauty. Each year it attracts more than 20 million tourists who come to see what the city has to offer. Set amongst the natural scenery of lakes and mountains, Hangzhou is modern city that coexists with the old. Historic pagodas and cultural sites built around the central lake sit like they belong amidst the skyscrapers and bustling markets of today.
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 $62Hangzhou $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Hefei is $62, while the average daily cost in Hangzhou is $65. 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 Hangzhou in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHefei $28Hangzhou $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHefei $56Hangzhou $46
Compare Hotels in Hefei and Hangzhou
Looking for a hotel in Hefei or Hangzhou? 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 $17Hangzhou $8.13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hangzhou
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hangzhou:
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Local Bus for Two$0.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hangzhou:
- Hangzhou Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Railway Station: $34
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area : $29
- Enduring Memories of Hangzhou West Lake Show VIP Ticket with Private Transfer: $128
- Hangzhou East Railway Station Transfer To Hangzhou Downtown City: $32
- Hangzhou Private Transfer to Shanghai with Drop-off Options : $131
- Hangzhou Private Transfer to Shanghai with stop-over at Wuzhen Water Town: $165
- Hangzhou Private Transfer: City Hotels to Railway Station: $28
- Hangzhou Private Transfer: Railway Station to City Hotels: $33
- Hangzhou Railway Station Private Arrival Transfer to City Area : $29
- Hangzhou Railway Station Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $29
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport Chauffeur Service, HangzhouAirport Transfer, Pickup: $59
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan Int'l Airport Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Hefei or Hangzhou?
Prices for flights to both Hangzhou 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 $21Hangzhou $18
Typical Food Prices in Hangzhou
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hangzhou:
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Breakfast Pastries$2.35
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Pizza Hut Lunch$11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hangzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hangzhou.
- All Inclusive Night Tour with Impression West Lake Show VIP Ticket and Dinner: $117
- VIP Seated Enduring Memories of Hangzhou Show Tour with Authentic Dinner: $127
- Private Amazing Hangzhou Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner Option : $170
- Wuzhen Ancient Water Town Private Night Tour from Hangzhou with Dinner Option: $185
- Enduring Memories of Hangzhou West Lake Show VIP Ticket with Authentic Dinner: $191
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hefei $19Hangzhou $20
Tours and Activities in Hangzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Hangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Hangzhou Lingyin Temple Tour : $28
- Hangzhou Longjing Tea Plantation Culture Experience Tour: $53
- Hangzhou Longjing Tea Culture Experience Tour : $53
- Best Price: Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $59
- Skip the Line: Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $65
- Zuiyi Hangzhou Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $69
- Half-Day Hangzhou Tianzhu Buddhist Mountain Hiking Tour with Green Tea Village : $89
- Enduring Memories of Hangzhou Show Ticket with Private Transport: $89
- Independent Tour to Shaoxing City from Hangzhou: $94
- Night Tour with Impression West Lake Show VIP Ticket and Hefang Heritage Street : $95
- Hangzhou Impressoin West Lake- Enduring Memory of Hangzhou Show Tour: $100
- Songcheng Park & Lengend of Song Dynasty Show Ticket: $100
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHefei $11Hangzhou $10
When comparing the travel costs between Hefei and Hangzhou, we can see that Hangzhou is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hefei Expensive? and Is Hangzhou Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hefei or Hangzhou?
Hangzhou has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of Hefei. When comparing the sizes of Hefei and Hangzhou, 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 Hangzhou?
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 Hangzhou in the Summer?
Both Hangzhou and Hefei are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
Hefei is around the same temperature as Hangzhou in the summer. The daily temperature in Hefei averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Hangzhou fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Hangzhou. It's quite rainy in Hefei. In July, Hefei usually receives more rain than Hangzhou. Hefei gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Hangzhou receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHefei 29°C (83°F)Hangzhou 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Hefei or Hangzhou in the Autumn?
Both Hangzhou and Hefei during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In the autumn, Hefei is around the same temperature as Hangzhou. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hefei in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Hangzhou averages at about 19°C (66°F).
Hefei usually gets less rain in October than Hangzhou. Hefei gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Hangzhou receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHefei 18°C (64°F)Hangzhou 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Hefei or Hangzhou in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hefei and Hangzhou.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Hangzhou. It's quite cold in Hefei in the winter. In January, Hefei is generally cooler than Hangzhou. Daily temperatures in Hefei average around 3°C (38°F), and Hangzhou fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
In January, Hefei usually receives less rain than Hangzhou. Hefei gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Hangzhou receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHefei 3°C (38°F)Hangzhou 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Hefei or Hangzhou in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Hefei as well as Hangzhou.
Hefei is around the same temperature as Hangzhou in the spring. The daily temperature in Hefei averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Hangzhou fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
It's quite rainy in Hangzhou. Hefei usually gets less rain in April than Hangzhou. Hefei gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Hangzhou receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHefei 16°C (61°F)Hangzhou 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Hangzhou and Hefei
| Hefei | Hangzhou | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (50°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| May | 22°C (71°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (78°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (53°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (42°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 49 mm (1.9 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.