A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hongcun vs. Sydney for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hongcun or Sydney?

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 Sydney 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 Sydney?

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.

Sydney

Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Sydney or Hongcun?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Hongcun is $52, while the average daily cost in Sydney is $273. 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 Sydney in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hongcun $23
    Sydney $102
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hongcun $46
    Sydney $204
Compare Hotels in Hongcun and Sydney

Looking for a hotel in Hongcun or Sydney? 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 Hongcun


Hotels in Sydney


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: Sydney Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hongcun $12
    Sydney $15

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sydney

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $13
  • Taxi to Airport
    $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:

  • Transfer Between Airport & Hotels or Cruise Terminal: $13
  • Shuttle Transfer from Sydney City Hotel or Cruise Port to Sydney Airport: $22
  • Shuttle Transfer from Cruise Ship Terminal at Circular Quay to Sydney Airport: $22
  • Shuttle Transfer from Sydney Airport to Cruise Ship Terminal at Circular Quay: $22
  • Sydney Airport to White Bay Port transfer: $27
  • Sydney Port Private Arrival Transfer: Cruise Port to City: $28
  • Private Departure Transfer: Sydney Airport: $33
  • Airport Shuttle Transfer to and from CBD Hotels: $36
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Sydney Airport to Hotel or Cruise Port: $38
  • Sydney to Sydney Airport (SYD) - Departure Private Transfer: $39
  • Sydney International Airport to/from Sydney One Way Transfer: $47
  • NRL Grand Final Transfer to ANZ Stadium: $52

Is it cheaper to fly into Hongcun or Sydney?

Prices for flights to both Sydney 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Hongcun $19
    Sydney $44
Typical Food Prices in Hongcun

Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.83
  • Breakfast of Dumplings
    $2.07

Typical Food Prices in Sydney

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:


  • Tea
    $2.60
  • Lunch Special
    $9.73
  • Food/Drink Coogie Beach
    $9.73
  • Meat Pies
    $3.24

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney

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

  • Vivid Lights Festival Pizza Cruise Tour in Vivid Sydney: $16
  • VIVID Dinner Cruise with Complimentary Drink on Arrival: $36
  • Vivid Sydney Harbor Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $46
  • Admission to Vivid Dinner Cruise in Sydney : $46
  • Sydney's Little Italy Food Tour: $50
  • Sydney Street Art & Food Tour: $53
  • Christmas in July Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $56
  • Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $58
  • Sydney Harbour: Tall Ship Vivid Dinner Cruise: $58
  • Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
  • Small Group Refugee Chef Dinner Banquet at Bohemian Cafe: $63
  • Kids Cooking Classes: $63

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hongcun $17
    Sydney $31
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hongcun are as follows:


  • Two Entrance Tickets
    $29

Typical Entertainment Prices in Sydney

Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Theatre Show
    $29
  • Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)
    $30
  • Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)
    $124
  • Powerhouse Museum
    $9.76

Tours and Activities in Sydney

Here are a few actual costs in Sydney for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $2.14
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Spirits of Sydney - Self Guided Ghost Tour of the Rocks Area: $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Australia: Tourist eSIM Data Plan: $11
  • Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $14
  • Secret Laneways Scavenger Hunt Adventure Game: $16
  • Unlock The Rocks Scavenger Hunt Adventure Game: $16
  • Australian National Maritime Museum: All-Inclusive Ticket: $16
  • Botanic Garden Self-Guided Adventure Hunt for Kids: $16
  • Allianz Stadium Guided Walking Tour: $17
  • Broken Bay Pearl & Oyster Farm Tours: $17

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hongcun $14
    Sydney $15

Typical Alcohol Prices in Sydney

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


  • Wine
    $10

Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney

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

  • Haunted Pub Tour with Local Guide: $20
  • Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $29
  • Private Wine Tour and Tasting: $56
  • Urban Winery Wine Tasting Tour with Cheese Platter: $56
  • Beach and Brew - Hike and Brewery (Men and Women): $73
  • Balmain Pub Walking Tour: $76
  • Luxury Hunter Valley Wildlife & Wine Tasting Tour from Sydney: $83
  • Sydney Beer and Brewery Tour: $102
  • Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $111
  • Northern Beaches Brewery Tour and Tasting: $121
  • From Hunter Valley Wine Tour with Cheese Tasting: $143
  • From Hunter Valley Multi-Brewery Tour with Lunch: $147


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



When is the best time to visit Hongcun or Sydney?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sydney is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Hongcun has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Hongcun or Sydney in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hongcun and Sydney. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Sydney because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Hongcun is a little warmer than Sydney in the summer. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Sydney fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in January.

Sydney receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hongcun gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Hongcun usually receives more rain than Sydneyin January. Hongcun gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Hongcun 29°C (85°F) 
    Sydney 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Hongcun or Sydney in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hongcun as well as Sydney. Additionally, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Sydney this time of year.

In the autumn, Hongcun is around the same temperature as Sydney. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hongcun in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Sydney averages at about 19°C (65°F)in April.

It's quite rainy in Sydney. Hongcun usually gets less rain in October than Sydneyin April. Hongcun gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Hongcun 19°C (65°F) 
    Sydney 19°C (65°F)

Should I visit Hongcun or Sydney in the Winter?

Both Sydney and Hongcun are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Sydney for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Hongcun in the winter. In January, Hongcun is generally much colder than Sydneyin July. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 4°C (40°F), and Sydney fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In January, Hongcun usually receives less rain than Sydneyin July. Hongcun gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Hongcun 4°C (40°F) 
    Sydney 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Hongcun or Sydney in the Spring?

Both Sydney and Hongcun during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Sydney in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Hongcun is around the same temperature as Sydney in the spring. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Sydney fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hongcun. Hongcun usually gets more rain in April than Sydneyin October. Hongcun gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Hongcun 17°C (62°F) 
    Sydney 18°C (64°F)

Typical Weather for Sydney and Hongcun

Hongcun Sydney
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 4°C (40°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Feb 6°C (42°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 23°C (73°F) 113 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 10°C (51°F) 117 mm (4.6 in) 21°C (70°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
Apr 17°C (62°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 19°C (65°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
May 22°C (71°F) 189 mm (7.4 in) 15°C (60°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Jun 26°C (78°F) 235 mm (9.2 in) 13°C (55°F) 128 mm (5 in)
Jul 29°C (85°F) 185 mm (7.3 in) 12°C (53°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 121 mm (4.7 in) 13°C (55°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 15°C (59°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 19°C (65°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 13°C (55°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 20°C (67°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Dec 7°C (44°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 22°C (71°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)