Which place is cheaper, Xi'an or Helsinki?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Helsinki 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 Helsinki 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: Helsinki or Xi'an?
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital of Finland and dates back to 1550. Helsinki is an international metropolis with a diverse population, but also a small town vibe. The city itself has a population of just over 600,000 but the metropolitan area, including Espoo and Vantaa, has a population of more than 1.3 million. There are many outdoor bars and cafes that take advantage of the warmer summer months. During this time there are long days, and the population floods into the street after a long and cold winter, so visiting during the summer is a fun and lively experience.
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 Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, 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 dayHelsinki €139Xi'an €88
The average daily cost (per person) in Helsinki is €139, while the average daily cost in Xi'an is €88. 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 Helsinki and Xi'an in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHelsinki €73Xi'an €57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHelsinki €146Xi'an €114
Compare Hotels in Helsinki and Xi'an
Looking for a hotel in Helsinki 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: Helsinki Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Helsinki €22Xi'an €11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Helsinki
Also for Helsinki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Private Transfer from Helsinki airport HEL to Helsinki by luxury van: $76
- Arrival Transfer: Airport HEL to Helsinki in Business Car: $97
- Departure Private Transfer Helsinki City to Helsinki Airport HEL by business car: $64
- Guided Tallinn Day Tour from Helsinki / Include hotel transfers: $218
- Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki City hotel Round-Trip Transfer: $83
- Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki City hotels - Arrival Transfer: $41
- Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki West Terminal - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $81
- Helsinki Airport (HEL): One-Way Transfer to/from Helsinki: $145
- Helsinki Airport (HEL): Transfer to Helsinki Cruise Terminal: $130
- Helsinki Airport VIP Transfers: Exclusive Comfort&Efficiency: $135
- Helsinki Private Airport & City Transfer: $82
- Helsinki Private Transfer: $158
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xi'an
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Xi'an:
- Xian to Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) - Departure Private Transfer: $32
- Xian Xianyang International Airport (XIY) Private Departure Transfer: $40
- Xian Xianyang International Airport (XIY) Private Arrival Transfer: $40
- Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) to Xian City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $57
- Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) to Xian - Arrival Private Transfer: $32
- Xian Terracotta Warriors and City Wall Tour with Airport Transfer: $224
- Xian Terracotta Warriors Tour with Airport Transfer: $176
- Xian Private Day Tour with Airport Transfer: Terracotta Warriors and City Wall: $186
- Xian City to Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) - Departure Private Transfer: $28
- Xian Best Day Tour with Airport / Railway Station Transfer: $132
- Xi’an Xianyang International Airport Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $29
- Xi’an Terracotta Warriors Private Round-Trip Transfer from City Area : $69
Is it cheaper to fly into Helsinki or Xi'an?
Prices for flights to both Xi'an and Helsinki 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 dayHelsinki €34Xi'an €12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- FOOD Tour with Rooftop Bar Visit in Helsinki: $107
- FOOD Tour with Roof Top Bar in Helsinki: $108
- Helsinki Food Tour Including Tastings: $164
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 Twilight Sightseeing and Food Tour: $51
- Tang Dynasty Dinner Show: $55
- Xi'an Vegetarian Food Tour: $60
- Xi'an Food Tour by Tuk Tuk: $62
- Private Xi'an Food Tour: $65
- 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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Helsinki €27Xi'an €33
Tours and Activities in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tip-Based City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $2.15
- Free Evening Helsinki Tour - A Walk through Centuries: $2.61
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Tip-based Free Walking Tour Helsinki - RED UMBRELLA TOURS: $5.13
- Escape Game and Tour: $7.00
- Helsinki Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and City Tour: $7.00
- A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Helsinki's Historical Highlights: $7.99
- Temppeliaukio Church Entrance Ticket: $8.61
- From Round-Trip Ferry Ticket to Suomenlinna: $8.70
- Helsinki Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Suomenlinna: Museum Ticket: $9.69
- Historical Highlights Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
Tours and Activities in Xi'an
Here are a few actual costs in Xi'an for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Group Tour to the Terra-cotta Warriors Museum & Lunch : $65
- Private Half Day Tour to See The Big Wild Goose Pagoda&City Wall:: $185
- Xi'an Morning Food & Market Tour by TukTuk: $55
- #1 Bestselling Private Terracotta Army Tours + Customized Xian Tours: $109
- 1 Day Xian City Highlights Private Tour: $148
- 1 Day Xian Group Tour: Terracotta Warriors & City Wall: $138
- 1 day The Terracotta Army+Xi'an City Wall+Yongxing Square Mini Group Tour: $106
- 1 day Xi'an Culture and History Discovery Mini Group tour: $112
- 1 day private tour to Xi'an Terra Cotta Warriors by Metro/Subway: $110
- 1-Day Xi'an City Highlights and Hanyangling Museum Private Tour: $100
- 1-Day Xi'an Terracotta Warriors Museum and Banpo Neolithic Village Museum Tour: $100
- 1-Day Xi'an Terracotta Warriors,Wild Goose Pagoda and Banpo Village Museum Tour: $100
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHelsinki €16Xi'an €6.78
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Helsinki and Xi'an, we can see that Helsinki is more expensive. And not only is Xi'an much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Helsinki is in Europe and Xi'an is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Xi'an would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Xi'an 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 Helsinki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Helsinki than you might in Xi'an.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Helsinki Expensive? and Is Xi'an Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Xi'an?
Xi'an has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Helsinki. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki 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.