A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hong Kong vs. Venice for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Hong Kong or Venice?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hong Kong or Venice, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a glamorous, diverse , and compact city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Venice

Venice is a magical, historic, and beautiful city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Hong Kong and Venice: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Big city activities
  • Impressive beauty
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Scenic old town
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Impressive beauty
  • Quaint atmosphere
  • Home to St. Mark's Basilica
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular for nightlife


Is there more to do in Hong Kong or Venice?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Hong Kong than Venice, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Hong Kong is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, hiking, and big city activities, while Venice is known for its museums, historical sights, and quaint atmosphere. Venice is more touristy than Hong Kong and is known for its many canals, famous gondolas, iconic architecture, romantic squares, and beautiful bridges. Hong Kong is popular for its modern skyscrapers, colorful waterfront, lush parks, and amazing dim sum. It is also home to Victoria Peak.

How is Hong Kong different from Venice?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Venice and Hong Kong. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hong Kong or Venice?

Hong Kong
Venice

Venice is an unbeatable place for its museums and history. Also, Hong Kong is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Venice are world-renowned. The many historic and famous landmarks in town include St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark's Square, Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Hong Kong. The city's skyline is one of the most famous "landmarks", but you'll also want to visit Victoria Peak, the Tian Tan Buddha Statue, Wong Tai Sin Temple, and Avenue of Stars.


Is the Food Better in Hong Kong or Venice? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hong Kong
Venice

Hong Kong is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Venice is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Hong Kong has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city's population is famous for its frequency of dining out, and the prolific diversity of restaurants is obvious from the moment you arrive. There are street food stalls and night markets, as well as luxury award winning restaurants. The city holds tight to its culinary traditions, but fusion restaurants are creeping in as well. Some of the most famous Hong Kong foods include dim sum, sweet and sour pork, and roast goose.

Venice offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. For the best dining experience, you should try to avoid the touristy restaurants that serve the typical pizza and pasta. Instead, find a local eatery that specializes in the region's traditional flavors like fish and vegetables.

Is Hong Kong or Venice Better for Nightlife?

Hong Kong
Venice

Hong Kong is great for its evening party scene. However, Venice is not a good destination for nightlife.

Many people head to Hong Kong for the nightlife scene. The city lights up after the sun sets. You'll find a diverse range of activities in the evening with everything from night markets to concerts and parties. There's a wonderful mix of traditional and contemporary activities, particularly around Lan Kwai Fong. Many of the most popular venues are found around Central and, like everything else in Hong Kong, the venues are full of energy.

Most people don't head to Venice specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. If you want to party, your best option is to head to the Lido area where you'll find night clubs and bars. A better alternative for enjoying your evening is to order a late night meal and a glass of wine at a local restaurant in Venice.

Is Hong Kong or Venice Better for Beaches?

Hong Kong
Venice

Hong Kong is great for the beach. However, Venice is not a beach destination.

Hong Kong is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. You actually don't have to travel far from the city center to find a relatively quiet, sandy beach. The different beaches on Hong Kong Island are relatively close to each other, and each has its own atmosphere. If you need a break from the heat and the crowds, then a beach day is a fun option. Hong Kong's natural coastline give way to popular beaches including Repulse Bay Beach and Shek O Beach. Each offers a number of amenities and dining options.

Venice is not a beach destination.


Is Hong Kong or Venice Better for its Old Town?

Hong Kong
Venice

Venice is an unbeatable place for its old town. However, Hong Kong does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Venice offers plenty to see. The city's historic area is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, colorful buildings, are world-renowned architecture, make this among the most recognized historic settings in the world.

Hong Kong does not have a historic old town.

Is Hong Kong or Venice Better for Hiking?

Hong Kong
Venice

Hong Kong is great for hiking. However, Venice is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Hong Kong for the hiking trails. The city is surrounded by dramatic mountains and beautiful viewpoints, making it easy to enjoy a day in nature. The hikes will offer impressive views and dramatic rock formations. Popular hikes in the area include The Peak, Dragon's Back, and the Violet Hill and Twin Peak hike.

Venice is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hong Kong or Venice?

Hong Kong
Venice

Shoppers can find a variety of terrific stores in both Hong Kong and Venice.

Known for shopping, Hong Kong draws large crowds to its stores. There is a high concentration of shopping malls in the city, and you'll likely find yourself cutting through malls to access different parts of town. The city is arguably one of the best shopping cities in the world. Popular items to purchase in the city include designer clothes, handbags, electronics, jewelry, watches, and tailor-made suits.

Venice is a world class destination for shoppers. There are many unique items that people purchase in town. Some of the most popular include Murano glass, Burano lace, Venetian masks, and local fabrics.


Is Hong Kong or Venice Better for Families?

Hong Kong
Venice

Hong Kong is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Venice is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Hong Kong is one of the most popular family destinations. In addition to its many fascinating cultural experiences like visiting the markets and historical landmarks, this city also has a diversity of kid-friendly entertainment options. The most obvious is Disneyland, but there are also other amusement parks and aquariums like Ocean Park. Make sure you check out the Symphony of Lights in the evening and head to The Peak Tower during the day.

Venice is a very family-friendly place to visit. Even for kids, visiting this city is all about soaking up the atmosphere and sense of place. It is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, historic buildings, gondolas, and plazas offer a special environment, even for kids who may be burned out from exploring cities. Attractions that appeal to kids include visiting the prisons at Doge's Palace, shopping for masks, and taking a ride on a gondola.

Is Hong Kong or Venice Better for Couples?

Hong Kong
Venice

Hong Kong and Venice are both terrific to visit as a couple.

Hong Kong has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This city is filled with luxury hotels, beautiful parks, and impressive restaurants. For a romantic evening, check out the Symphony of Lights over Victoria Harbour after the sun sets.

Venice is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. With its many truly unique romantic experiences, this city makes for a truly memorable honeymoon or romantic getaway. Ride a gondola, get lost in the city, and enjoy pasta and music around town to make the experience unlike any other.

Is Hong Kong or Venice Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hong Kong
Venice

Venice is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Hong Kong is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Venice. Many backpackers stay just out of town to save a bit of money, but, even though it's not cheap, this city is well-established on the backpacker trail.

Hong Kong is a good city to visit for backpackers. The city is more expensive than many places, but cheap eateries and free activities are abundant. Many backpackers stay in the Tsim Sha Shui area of Kowloon. This is where you'll find the frequently talked about Chungking Mansions. Times are changing though, and you'll find more hostels on Hong Kong Island these days as well.


Is Hong Kong or Venice Better for Students?

Hong Kong
Venice

Venice is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. However, Hong Kong is not popular with students.

Venice is a great destination for students. Because of its well-established reputation, this city attracts many international students for both semester and full length programs. There are many programs to choose between, and many students focus on the region's art, architecture, history, and language.

Hong Kong is not popular with students.

Is Hong Kong or Venice Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Hong Kong
Venice

Visitors will find terrific public transit in both Hong Kong and Venice.

Visitors in Hong Kong can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. Land transportation includes the MTR (Mass Transit Railway), buses, minibuses, and tramways. There are also ferries that connect the different parts of the city.

Venice has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. There is a comprehensive boat and ferry system that includes aporettos, alilagunas, private water taxis, gondolas, and traghettos.

Is Hong Kong or Venice a more walkable city?

Hong Kong
Venice

Hong Kong and Venice are terrific when it comes to walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Hong Kong. The city has many parks and walking paths that connect different areas.

Getting around Venice on foot is easy. Because it is small, it's easy to walk to all of the major tourist attractions.


For even more information, also check out Is Hong Kong Worth Visiting? and Is Venice Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Venice or Hong Kong?

How long in Hong Kong or Venice?

Both Hong Kong and Venice have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Hong Kong has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Hong Kong than Venice. In general, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Hong Kong, and 2-7 days is enough time in Venice.

Families should spend more time in Hong Kong than Venice. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Hong Kong, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Hong Kong than Venice. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Hong Kong that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Venice than Hong Kong if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Venice.


  • How many days in Hong Kong or Venice? Ideal Length of Stay
    Hong Kong 3-7 
    Venice 2-7

One day in Hong Kong or Venice?

Hong Kong is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the quaint city of Venice. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Hong Kong or Venice?

Hong Kong is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and food around the romantic destination of Venice. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Hong Kong or Venice?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hong Kong. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find food and shopping around the romantic city of Venice. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.


A week in Hong Kong or Venice?

Hong Kong is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Venice is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Venice, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Venice or Hong Kong?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Hong Kong is $160, while the average daily cost in Venice is $249. 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 Hong Kong and Venice in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hong Kong $75
    Venice $130
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hong Kong $150
    Venice $260
Compare Hotels in Hong Kong and Venice

Looking for a hotel in Hong Kong or Venice? 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 Hong Kong


Hotels in Venice


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: Hong Kong Hotel Prices and Venice Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hong Kong $8.72
    Venice $30
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hong Kong

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hong Kong:


  • MTR (for 2)
    $2.81
  • Local Bus
    $2.81
  • Ferry Ticket
    $0.26
  • Hong Kong Airport Express Train Ticket
    $14

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Venice

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Venice:


  • Venice 12 Hour Transport Pass
    $17
  • Vaporetto Ride
    $7.08
  • 1 Day Travel Card
    $20
  • 7 Day Transport Card (for Two)
    $110

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Venice

Also for Venice, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Verona Airport (VRN): One Way Transfer to Venice Cruise Port: $380
  • VeniceAirport:RoundTrip Private Transfer to Venice+WaterTaxi: $755
  • Water Taxi Transfer Lido Santa Maria Elisabetta: $35
  • VCE Airport and Venice Port Round-Trip Transfer: $326
  • VCE Airport and Venice Port 1-Way Private Transfer: $157
  • Transfer from Cruise Terminal to Marco Polo Airport: $191
  • Transfer from Airport to Trieste Cruise Terminal: $804
  • Shared Water Taxi Transfer to Marco Polo Airport: $38
  • Private Transfer from Train Station by Water Taxi: $295
  • Private Boat Transfer from Cruise Terminal to Hotel: $347
  • One-Way Transfer to Florence Airport or Hotel: $1,037
  • Marco Polo Airport to Cortina D’Ampezzo Transfer: $834

Is it cheaper to fly into Hong Kong or Venice?

Prices for flights to both Venice and Hong Kong 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
    Hong Kong $33
    Venice $70
Typical Food Prices in Hong Kong

For Hong Kong, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner for 2
    $12

Typical Food Prices in Venice

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Venice:


  • Panini Sandwich
    $4.35
  • Gelato
    $6.53
  • Artichoke & Mushroom Pizza
    $8.60
  • Expresso
    $2.12
  • Slice of Pizza
    $2.43
  • Three Course Dinner (for Two)
    $86

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Venice

For Venice, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $30
  • Hard Rock Cafe Venice with Set Lunch or Dinner: $33
  • Street Food Tour with a Local Guide and Tastings: $48
  • Venice Street Food Tour with a Native & Top Rated Expert: $48
  • Small Group Venice Street Food Tour with Expert Local Guide: $48
  • Secret Street Food Tour of Venice in 2,5 hours: $48
  • Eating Venice Street Food Tour with Guided Tasting and Sightseeing: $48
  • Venice Street Food Tour with Local Guide with Local Food Market Visit: $48
  • Street Food Tour of Venice in 2.5 hours: $48
  • Tasty Street Food Tour of Venice City Center with Cicchetti & Local Specialties: $49
  • Guided City Highlights and Street Food Tour: $52
  • Venetian Dinner: $63

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hong Kong $95
    Venice $110
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hong Kong

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Hong Kong's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Peak Tram
    $7.67
  • Madame Tussauds Hong Kong
    $24

Typical Entertainment Prices in Venice

For Venice, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Venice Boat Ride
    $16
  • Bell tower of St. Mark Entrance Fee
    $8.71
  • Gondola Ride (for Group)
    $87
  • Secret Itinerary Tour- Doge's Palace
    $17
  • The Jewish Museum Admission
    $3.27
  • The Glass Museum in Murano
    $8.71

Tours and Activities in Venice

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Venice.

  • Doge's Palace and Correr Museum Skip the Line Private Tour: $286
  • Friendinvenice Early Morning Venice Private Tour: $287
  • From Vicenza Private Tour: $284
  • Peggy Guggenheim collection Venice private tour: $88
  • Private Grand Canal 1-Hour Boat Tour: $76
  • Small-group Saint Mark’s Basilica Skip-the-line Tour: $49
  • Venice Saint Mark's Basilica and gondola tour in the afternoon: $83
  • Venice Top-Attractions Walking Tour for Kids & Families & Child-Friendly Guide: $241
  • Private 2-Hour Doge's Palace Tour: $219
  •  Friendinvenice, how to experience the true Venice, private tour: $127
  • 2 Hour Night Kayak Tour in Venice, premium experience with sunset: $155
  • 2 Hour Venice Canal Kayak Tour - Premium experience by day: $102

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hong Kong $21
    Venice $27

Typical Alcohol Prices in Venice

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Venice:


  • 1/2 Liter Wine
    $5.66
  • Beer
    $5.33

Sample the Local Flavors in Venice

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Venice:

  • Venice Food and Wine Tasting Tour with a Local Guide: $8.84
  • Guided Visit and Wine Tasting at the Winery in Veneto: $28
  • Guided Tour and wine tasting 5 wines to discover the Conegliano Valdobbiadene: $28
  • Wine Tasting in Venice: $38
  • Wine tasting Asolo Prosecco at Tenuta Baron: $59
  • Food and Wine Tasting Bar Tour & Evening Guided Tour: $73
  • Venetian Style Carnival Pub Crawl: $75
  • Venetian Style Carnival Pub Crawl: $83
  • Authentic Neighborhood Cicchetti Food & Wine Tour: $97
  • Eat, drink and repeat: Wine tasting tour in Venice: $99
  • Experience Venice with a Local Sommelier: Cicchetti & Wine Tour: $105
  • A Venetian Evening - Wine Tasting & Tapas tour with a Local guide: $109


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hong Kong and Venice, we can see that Venice is more expensive. And not only is Hong Kong much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Hong Kong is in Asia and Venice is in Europe, 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 Hong Kong would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hong Kong 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 Venice would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Venice than you might in Hong Kong.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hong Kong Expensive? and Is Venice Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Hong Kong or Venice?

Hong Kong has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Venice. When comparing the sizes of Hong Kong and Venice, 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.