A Travel Price Comparison for China Hefei vs. Suzhou for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hefei or Suzhou?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Hefei or Suzhou? 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 Suzhou?

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.

Suzhou

Suzhou is a city in Jiangsu province famed for its beautiful gardens and traditional waterside architecture, featuring elaborate canals and bridges. Located on the Yangtze Delta, the city consists largely of waterways making Suzhou a kind of 'Venice of the Orient.' It is also a hub for scholars, artists, and skilled craftsmen.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Suzhou or Hefei?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Hefei is $62, while the average daily cost in Suzhou is $102. 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 Suzhou in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hefei $28
    Suzhou $39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hefei $56
    Suzhou $78
Compare Hotels in Hefei and Suzhou

Looking for a hotel in Hefei or Suzhou? 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 Hefei


Hotels in Suzhou


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hefei $17
    Suzhou $57

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Suzhou

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Suzhou:

  • Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport Private Departure Transfer from Suzhou: $80
  • Full-Day Suzhou Gardens Exploration with Hotel or Railway Station Transfer: $227
  • Hangzhou Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Wuzhen Water Town : $143
  • Nanjing Downtown hotels to Lukou Intl Airport (NKG) - Departure Private Transfer: $33
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Suzhou Train Station to Hotels in Suzhou: $44
  • Private Day Tour: Gardens and Old Street in Suzhou with Hotel or Railway Station Transfer: $214
  • Private Departure Transfer to Shanghai Airport from Suzhou City Hotel: $68
  • Private Round Trip Transfer from Suzhou to Luzhi Water Town: $64
  • Private Round Trip Transfer to Tianping Mountain from Suzhou: $51
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer between Tongli Water Town and Suzhou City : $58
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer between Zhouzhuang Water Town and Suzhou City: $58
  • Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to Suzhou Chauffeur Service, Shanghai Airport Transfer: $240

Is it cheaper to fly into Hefei or Suzhou?

Prices for flights to both Suzhou 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Hefei $21
    Suzhou $32

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Suzhou

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Suzhou.

  • Suzhou Alleyway Walking Food Tour With Locals: $55

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hefei $19
    Suzhou $9.38

Tours and Activities in Suzhou

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

  • Suzhou Self-Guided Tour with Private Car and Driver Service : $65
  • Zhouzhuang and Tongli Self-Guided Tour from Suzhou with Drop-off Options : $70
  • 4-Hour Suzhou Private Customized Tour: $71
  • Suzhou Private English Tour Guide Service: $91
  • Suzhou Private Walking Tour with Panmen Gate, City Moat and Yiyuan Garden: $101
  • Wuxi Self-Guided Tour from Suzhou by Private Car : $103
  • 4-Hour Flexible Suzhou City Highlights Private Tour: $114
  • 4-Hour Zhouzhuang Water Town Private Tour from Suzhou with Boat Ride: $123
  • 4-Hour Suzhou Private Flexible Tour with Garden and Boat Ride Option: $125
  • Private Suzhou City Amazing Day Tour in Your Way : $127
  • 4-Hour Tongli Water Town Private Tour from Suzhou with Boat Ride : $127
  • 4-Hour Suzhou Private Tour: Humble Administrator’s Garden,Tiger Hill and Canal : $134

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hefei $11
    Suzhou $6.44


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hefei and Suzhou, we can see that Suzhou 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 Suzhou would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Suzhou 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 Suzhou Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Hefei or Suzhou?

Hefei has a larger population, and is about 3% larger than the population of Suzhou. When comparing the sizes of Hefei and Suzhou, 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 Suzhou?

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 Suzhou in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hefei and Suzhou.

In July, Hefei is generally around the same temperature as Suzhou. Daily temperatures in Hefei average around 29°C (83°F), and Suzhou fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

Suzhou receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hefei gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Hefei usually receives more rain than Suzhou. Hefei gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hefei 29°C (83°F) 
    Suzhou 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Hefei or Suzhou in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hefei as well as Suzhou.

Hefei is around the same temperature as Suzhou in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hefei averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Suzhou fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

Hefei usually gets more rain in October than Suzhou. Hefei gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hefei 18°C (64°F) 
    Suzhou 19°C (65°F)

Should I visit Hefei or Suzhou in the Winter?

Both Suzhou and Hefei are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

It's quite cold in Suzhou in the winter. The weather in Hefei can be very cold. In the winter, Hefei is cooler than Suzhou. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hefei in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Suzhou averages at about 4°C (39°F).

In January, Hefei usually receives less rain than Suzhou. Hefei gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hefei 3°C (38°F) 
    Suzhou 4°C (39°F)

Should I visit Hefei or Suzhou in the Spring?

Both Suzhou and Hefei during the spring are popular places to visit.

In April, Hefei is generally a little warmer than Suzhou. Daily temperatures in Hefei average around 16°C (61°F), and Suzhou fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Suzhou gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hefei usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Suzhou. Hefei gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hefei 16°C (61°F) 
    Suzhou 15°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Suzhou and Hefei

Hefei Suzhou
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (38°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 4°C (39°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 5°C (40°F) 51 mm (2 in) 5°C (41°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Mar 10°C (50°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 9°C (48°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Apr 16°C (61°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 15°C (58°F) 102 mm (4 in)
May 22°C (71°F) 97 mm (3.8 in) 20°C (67°F) 113 mm (4.5 in)
Jun 25°C (78°F) 121 mm (4.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 171 mm (6.7 in) 28°C (83°F) 128 mm (5 in)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
Sep 23°C (74°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 24°C (75°F) 156 mm (6.1 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 19°C (65°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 11°C (53°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 13°C (55°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Dec 5°C (42°F) 25 mm (1 in) 7°C (44°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)