Which place is cheaper, Alice Springs or Hongcun?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Hongcun or Alice Springs?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hongcun and Alice Springs 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: Hongcun or Alice Springs?
Hongcun
When you picture ancient China, you likely picture old cobblestone streets, white homes with pointed black roofs and a slight air of mysticism in the surroundings. This is Hongcun.
The backdrop for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is not usually on the top of many traveler's lists. This isn't a bustling tourist town with guides offering to show you the sights or carts peddling the latest tacky souvenir. It's a quiet village where you'll see the real Chinese culture. The homes along the complex water canals air their fish in their windows to preserve it for their family dinners. There is no bowing to tourism here.
Alice Springs
Alice Springs is in the middle of Central Australia and is most famous as a base for exploring the famous rock, Uluru. Alice Springs itself has grown dramatically from what was once a small outpost. The tourist boom began in the early 1980s and the population is now somewhere around 28,000. The city now has all of the necessary facilities to cater to the influx of tourists who swing through to see Uluru. The town is 1500km from Darwin, which is the closest major city. Adelaide is just as far to the south. It's remote location means that costs can be higher than they are elsewhere in Australia. Expect to pay more for anything from fruits and vegetables to clothing and souvenirs. When making a reservation for a hotel, do note that the rating scale differs from elsewhere in Australia or in most western countries. The ratings come from the amenities available and have little to do with the actual room quality.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best 2-Week Tours in Australia, and The Best 3-Week Tours in Australia.
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Hongcun Prices
China PricesAlice Springs Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHongcun $67Alice Springs $113
The average daily cost (per person) in Hongcun is $67, while the average daily cost in Alice Springs is $113. 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 Hongcun and Alice Springs in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHongcun $23Alice Springs $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHongcun $46Alice Springs $100
Compare Hotels in Hongcun and Alice Springs
Looking for a hotel in Hongcun or Alice Springs? 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: Alice Springs Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hongcun $12Alice Springs $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alice Springs
Also for Alice Springs, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Uluru to Alice Springs or Alice to Uluru 1-Way Luxe Transfer: $168
- Alice Springs to Uluru (Ayers Rock) Coach Transfer: $171
Is it cheaper to fly into Hongcun or Alice Springs?
Prices for flights to both Alice Springs and Hongcun 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 dayHongcun $33Alice Springs $42
Typical Food Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.91
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Breakfast of Dumplings$2.10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alice Springs
For Alice Springs, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- From Day Trip to Uluru with BBQ Dinner: $242
- Ayers Rock Day Trip from Alice Springs Including BBQ Dinner: $246
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hongcun $17Alice Springs $14
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hongcun are as follows:
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Two Entrance Tickets$29
Tours and Activities in Alice Springs
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Alice Springs.
- Royal Flying Doctor Service Alice Springs Tourist Facility: $15
- Desert Park Entry Ticket: $26
- Alice Springs Desert Park General Entry Ticket: $27
- Alice Springs Desert Park Nocturnal Tour: $28
- Art Centre Tour in Alice Springs: $50
- West MacDonnell Ranges Half day Tour -Small Group: $100
- From Alice Spring: West MacDonnell Ranges Half-Day Tour: $102
- Alice Springs Airport to West MacDonnell Half-Day Tour : $107
- Red Centre Journey Tour with Morning Tea: $114
- Alice Springs Tour to West MacDonnell Ranges with Lunch: $115
- Red Centre Journey Tour: $116
- West MacDonnell Ranges Tour from Alice Springs: $117
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHongcun $14Alice Springs $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Alice Springs
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Alice Springs:
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Glass of Wine in Alice Springs$4.58
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hongcun and Alice Springs, we can see that Alice Springs is more expensive. And not only is Hongcun much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Hongcun is in Asia and Alice Springs is in Pacific, 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 Hongcun would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hongcun 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 Alice Springs would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Alice Springs than you might in Hongcun.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hongcun Expensive? and Is Alice Springs Expensive?.
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.