Which place is cheaper, Guilin or Hoi An?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hoi An or Guilin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Hoi An and Guilin. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Hoi An or Guilin?
Hoi An
Located just south of the city of Da Nang, Hoi An is famous for it's beautiful old town. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unfortunately, since its designation as a World Heritage Site in 1999, mass tourism has grown and the city has felt the growing pains. Most of the homes and shops in the old town are now used for commercial purposes. The city is still quaint, but the old town is lined with tailor shops, souvenir stores, and restaurants. Foreigners are required to purchase a ticket to enter the old town of Hoi An (120,000 VND, about $5).
Guilin
Guilin is a city in Southern China situated on the west bank of the Li River with Hunan to the north. Its name means, "Forest of Sweet Osmanthus," owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. Products like tea, sugar, and wine, can be made from the tree and are found in many shops throughout Guilin. A popular tourist destination, the city is renowned for its scenery of karst topography with unique mountains jutting out of the urban landscape.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Vietnam, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Vietnam, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHoi An $46Guilin $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Hoi An is $46, while the average daily cost in Guilin is $67. 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 Hoi An and Guilin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHoi An $21Guilin $34
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHoi An $42Guilin $68
Compare Hotels in Hoi An and Guilin
Looking for a hotel in Hoi An or Guilin? 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: Hoi An Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hoi An $19Guilin $5.76
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hoi An
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Hoi An are as follows:
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Taxi From Danang to Hoi An$8.79
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Bus From Hoi An Bus Station to Town$0.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hoi An
Also for Hoi An, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Ba Na Hills: Private Car Transfer from Hue, Hoi An & Da Nang: $28
- DAD airport : The private transfer to/from Hoian center: $15
- Da Nang Airport (DAD): Private Transfers to/from Hoi An: $25
- Da Nang Airport : transfer to Da Nang center / to Hoi An: $7.06
- Da Nang Airport : transfer to Da Nang center / to Hoi An: $7.06
- Da Nang Airport: Private Transfer to/from Hoi An City: $19
- Da Nang City: Private Transfer to/from Hoi An City: $19
- Da Nang/Market & Old Town Private Tour with Transfer: $41
- From Hoi An/Da Nang: Shuttle Bus Transfer to My Son: $9.00
- From My Son Sanctuary Day Trip With Transfer & Lunch: $41
- From One-Way Shared Bus Transfer to Da Nang: $8.82
- From Private Transfer to Hue with Photo Stops: $90
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:
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Taxi$2.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Guilin hotel: $92
- Transfer from Guilin Hotels to Yangshuo Town: $37
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo/Guilin to Sanjiang and stops Longji Rice Terraces: $160
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Zhaoxing and stops at Chengyang Dong Village: $197
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Longji rice terraces area: $267
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Hongjiang: $267
- Private Transfer from Guilin hotel to Xingping hotel: $64
- Private Transfer from Guilin hotel to Longsheng hotel: $80
- Private Guilin Airport Transfer to Yangshuo: $42
- Private Departure Transfer: Downtown Guilin Hotel to Airport (KWL): $25
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin Train Stations to Yangshuo: $49
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin Train Stations to Downtown Hotel: $17
Is it cheaper to fly into Hoi An or Guilin?
Prices for flights to both Guilin and Hoi An 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 dayHoi An $9.95Guilin $22
Typical Food Prices in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Bamboo Village (for Two)$14
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$3.99
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Casual Dinner (for Two)$7.99
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bamboo Basket Boat Tour with Optional Lunch/Dinner: $14
- Hoi An:Traditional Cooking Class with Cam Thanh Local Family: $21
- Traditional Cooking Class & meal w Cam Thanh Family: $21
- Hoi An/Da Nang: Vietnamese Cooking Class with Transportation: $22
- From Cooking Class at Organic Farm: $22
- Mad Monkey Hoi An Cooking Class & Bamboo Boats: $23
- Traditional Vietnamese Cooking Class in Leina Cookery: $23
- Evening Tra Que Cooking Class with Locals in Herb Village: $24
- Hoi An : Basket Boat Ride & Cooking Class with Market Tour: $24
- Vietnamese Cooking Class with Local Family in Hoi An: $24
- Cooking Class with Traditional Vietnamese Meals: $24
- Hoi An : Cooking Class W Optional Basket Boat & Market Tour: $25
Typical Food Prices in Guilin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Guilin:
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Fresh Coconut Drink$1.38
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guilin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guilin.
- Half day Yangshuo Cooking lesson Small Group Tour: $62
- Full-Day Li-River with the 4 Star Luxury Boat VIP Room and Yangshuo Cooking Tour: $286
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hoi An $13Guilin $28
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hoi An
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Hoi An's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Golf (for Two)$148
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Short Boat Ride$1.60
Tours and Activities in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Hoi An Ancient Town - Free Walking Tour: $2.05
- Hoi An Ancient Town- Free Walking Tour with Local Guide: $2.05
- Experience Kim Bong Carpentry with Local Artisans: $6.57
- Experience Bamboo Basket Boat on Coconut village w Locals: $6.89
- Da Nang/Hoi An:Experience Basket Boat ride in Coconut Forest: $7.18
- Hoi An Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Bus to My Son Sanctuary with Entrance ticket: $8.00
- Experience the Art of Vietnamese Coffee Making: $11
- Mad Monkey Hoi An Bicycle Tour: $12
- Cam Thanh Tour with Bamboo Basket Boat: $12
- Hoi An : Bamboo Basket Boat Tour: $12
- Basket Boat Experience: $13
Typical Entertainment Prices in Guilin
Here are a few typical costs in Guilin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to the Caves$17
Tours and Activities in Guilin
Here are a few actual costs in Guilin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2-Day Self-Guided Guilin Tour with 4 Star Boat, Yangshuo and Longji Terraces : $200
- Full-Day Guilin Li-River Cruise with 4 star boat and Reed Flute Cave Tour: $262
- 1 Day Guilin to Yangshuo with top scenery & culture private tour : $79
- 1 Day Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo with Private Guide & Driver: $219
- 1 Day Private Tour: Li River Cruise from Guilin & Yangshuo Biking: $169
- 1 Day Yangshuo Countryside Cycling and Yulong bamboo boat Private Tour: $94
- 1 Day Yangshuo Countryside Hiking along the Yulong river Private Tour: $103
- 1 Day Yangshuo private Day Tour with the Scooter: $105
- 1 day Guilin Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Countryside with Scooter Private Tour: $204
- 1 day Li River cruise & Yangshuo countryside private day tour : $120
- 1-DAY Private Longji Rice Terraces and Minority Villages Tour: $45
- 1-Day Guilin Tour to Reed Flute Cave, Xianggong Hill, Bamboo Boat and Night Show: $89
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHoi An $9.06Guilin $5.72
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hoi An
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Hoi An are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$9.59
Sample the Local Flavors in Hoi An
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Hoi An:
- Pub Crawl by Bus with Shots at Each Bar: $8.21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hoi An and Guilin, we can see that Guilin is more expensive. And not only is Hoi An much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hoi An would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hoi 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 Guilin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guilin than you might in Hoi An.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hoi An Expensive? and Is Guilin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hoi An or Guilin?
Guilin has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Hoi An. When comparing the sizes of Hoi An and Guilin, 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 Hoi An or Guilin?
Guilin has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Hoi An experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Hoi An or Guilin in the Summer?
Both Guilin and Hoi An during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hoi An because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Hoi An is around the same temperature as Guilin in the summer. The daily temperature in Hoi An averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Guilin fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
Guilin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hoi An usually gets less rain in July than Guilin. Hoi An gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year. February to July is the dry season in Hoi An. September to January is the rainy season in Hoi An.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHoi An 29°C (85°F)Guilin 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Hoi An or Guilin in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hoi An and Guilin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hoi An year-round.
In the autumn, Hoi An is a little warmer than Guilin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hoi An in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Guilin averages at about 23°C (73°F).
Hoi An gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Hoi An usually receives more rain than Guilin. Hoi An gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHoi An 25°C (78°F)Guilin 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Hoi An or Guilin in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Hoi An as well as Guilin. Hoi An attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Hoi An is generally much warmer than Guilin. Daily temperatures in Hoi An average around 22°C (71°F), and Guilin fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
Hoi An receives a lot of rain in the winter. Hoi An usually gets more rain in January than Guilin. Hoi An gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, February to July in Hoi An is the dry season. September to January in Hoi An is the rainy season.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHoi An 22°C (71°F)Guilin 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Hoi An or Guilin in the Spring?
Both Guilin and Hoi An are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hoi An throughout the year.
Hoi An is a little warmer than Guilin in the spring. The daily temperature in Hoi An averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Guilin fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Guilin. In April, Hoi An usually receives less rain than Guilin. Hoi An gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHoi An 26°C (80°F)Guilin 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Guilin and Hoi An
| Hoi An | Guilin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (71°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (85°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 331 mm (13 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 613 mm (24.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (76°F) | 376 mm (14.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 223 mm (8.8 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 47 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.