Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Hue?
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 Hue or Harbin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hue and Harbin 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: Hue or Harbin?
Hue
Hue is a major city in central Vietnam and was historically the imperial capital. The city was the base for the imperial Nguyen Dynasty, which ruled from 1802 to 1945. During the Vietnam War the city faced many challenges. It was conquered by the Viet Cong and held for 24 days. During this time about 3,000 people were slaughtered for their political views, education level, or religious affiliation.
Harbin
Harbin, China is the northernmost major city in the country, with a population of over 10 million. Harbin was founded in 1897 by Russia, which has resulted in a lot of Russian influence throughout the city and many Russian citizens. The city is most famous for their annual International Snow and Ice Festival, a two-month-long festival running from January through February of each year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Vietnam, The Best Cultural Tours in Vietnam, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.
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Hue Prices
Vietnam PricesHarbin Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHue $56Harbin $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Hue is $56, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $66. 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 Hue and Harbin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHue $22Harbin $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHue $44Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Hue and Harbin
Looking for a hotel in Hue or Harbin? 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: Hue Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hue $12Harbin $1.52
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hue
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Hue:
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Cyclo$0.45
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Short Taxi Ride$0.83
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Taxi Ride to Tombs$13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hue
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hue:
- Transfer from Hue to Hoi An by Motorbike: $67
- Transfer from Hue to Da Nang or Hoi An via Bach Ma National Park: $81
- Transfer from Hue airport to Hue city center or vice versa: $6.81
- Transfer between Hue Hotels and Hue Airport: $7.11
- Transfer Hue city to Da Nang by limousine: $19
- Transfer Da Nang- Hue city by limousine: $19
- Roundtrip Transfer to Ba Na Hills - Golden Bridge via Hai Van Pass from Hue City: $85
- Rental of a Scooter from Hue to Hoi An with Bag Transfer: $30
- Privated Hue Airport Transfer-Airport to Hotel or vice versa: $14
- Privated Hue Airport Transfer - Airport to Hotels or vice versa: $6.75
- Private transfer from Hue to Hoi An with fabulous stops: $125
- Private transfer between Hue - Hoi An: with stop at Hai Van Pass: $63
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer, Pick up.: $59
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Harbin Catholic Church Car Transfer Service: $80
- 4 Hour Private Transfer to Sun Island Snow Sculptures: $100
- Private Departure Transfer to Harbin North Railway Station from Harbin City: $100
- Harbin Ice Festival Tickets and Transfer Service : $148
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $198
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
- Harbin Volga Manor Private Transfer Service with Entry Tickets: $300
Is it cheaper to fly into Hue or Harbin?
Prices for flights to both Harbin and Hue 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 dayHue $25Harbin $24
Typical Food Prices in Hue
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hue are as follows:
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River Night Market Dinner (for Two)$7.58
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Two Sugarcane Drinks$0.76
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Quick Lunch (for Two)$2.08
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Sitdown Dinner (for Two)$4.17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hue
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hue.
- Hue Food Tour by Walking or Cyclo or Motorbike with Driver: $21
- Walking Street Food tour in Hue: $26
- Hue Walking Street Food Tour: $27
- Hue City: Cyclo, Market Tour & Cooking Class at Madam Thu: $27
- Eat Like a Local with a Local Hue Food Tour : $30
- Home Cooking Class and Dinner with Local Chef in Hue City: $31
- HUE : NIGHT WALKING AND STREET FOOD TOUR: $31
- Hue : Cooking Class with Local Family: $33
- Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $33
- Cooking Class with Local Family: $33
- Hue : Night Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $33
- Guided Local Food Tour with Tastings: $33
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dinner Show with Costumes and Performances: $29
- Harbin Cultural Tour at Zhongyang Dajie to Baluoke with Dinner: $80
- Central Street, Baluoke Village, and Dinner Tour: $90
- Harbin Dumpling Cooking Class: $154
- Hot Spring Experience with Hot Pot Dinner in Harbin: $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hue $11Harbin $53
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hue
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hue are as follows:
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Boat Ride$7.39
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Bicycle Rental (One Day)$1.06
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Imperial Citadel Entrance$3.03
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Massage at Institute for the Blind$1.52
Tours and Activities in Hue
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hue are as follows:
- Bach Ma National Park Adventure Trekking Day Trip from Hue: $56
- Hoi An Guided Bus Tour via 4 Stops from Hue with entry ticket : $18
- 1 Day On 5-Star Halong Cruise With Highest Safety Equipments: $42
- 12 Hours Experience Different Hue: $179
- 2 Day Nature Tour in Tam Giang Lagoon & Bach Ma National Park: $245
- 2025 Journey to Paradise Cave — An Adventure's Paradise : $57
- 3,5-Hours Hue Imperial Walking Tour with Guide with Local Gifts: $28
- 3-Hour Hue Royal Palace Small Group Guided Walking Tour: $23
- 5-Star Ha Long & Lan Ha Day Cruise with Waterslide & Lunch: $98
- 6 Hours All Inclusive Hue Green Biking Private Tour: $98
- All Inclusive Deluxe Hue City Group Tour - Max 12 pax: $63
- Bach Ma National Park Day Trek Private Tour from Hue: $95
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Harbin Ice and Snow World Ticket Booking: $51
- Half Day Tour for Harbin Guandong Ancient Lane and Wood Sculpture Museum: $104
- Harbin Summer Indoor Ice and Snow World Tour: $136
- Harbin Ice Lantern Show and Center Street Tour: $150
- Private Half Day Tour Harbin ConfucianTemple and Temple of Bliss (Jile Si): $157
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $168
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
- Private Half Day City Tour including Russian Town and Harbin Ropeway Ride: $198
- Small Group Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $199
- Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
- Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
- Private Half Day Tour to Unit 731 Museum and Sites in Harbin: $218
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHue $5.49Harbin $7.96
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hue
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Hue:
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Beer$0.95
Sample the Local Flavors in Harbin
Also in Harbin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Brewery Tour: $250
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hue and Harbin, we can see that Harbin is more expensive. And not only is Hue much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hue would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hue 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 Harbin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Harbin than you might in Hue.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hue Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hue or Harbin?
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hue. When comparing the sizes of Hue and Harbin, 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 Hue or Harbin?
Harbin has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Hue experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Hue or Harbin in the Summer?
Both Harbin and Hue during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hue because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Hue is generally a little warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Hue average around 29°C (85°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
Harbin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hue usually gets less rain in July than Harbin. Hue gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year. March to August is the dry season in Hue. September to December is the rainy season in Hue.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHue 29°C (85°F)Harbin 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Hue or Harbin in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hue and Harbin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hue year-round.
Hue is much warmer than Harbin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hue averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Harbin fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
Hue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Hue usually receives more rain than Harbin. Hue gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, September to December is the rainy season in Hue.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHue 25°C (78°F)Harbin 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Hue or Harbin in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Hue as well as Harbin. Hue attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
It's quite cold in Harbin in the winter. In the winter, Hue is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hue in January average around 22°C (71°F), and Harbin averages at about -18°C (-0°F).
Hue receives a lot of rain in the winter. Hue usually gets more rain in January than Harbin. Hue gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, March to August in Hue is the dry season.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHue 22°C (71°F)Harbin -18°C (-0°F)
Should I visit Hue or Harbin in the Spring?
Both Harbin and Hue are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hue throughout the year.
In April, Hue is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Hue average around 26°C (80°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
In April, Hue usually receives more rain than Harbin. Hue gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHue 26°C (80°F)Harbin 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Harbin and Hue
| Hue | Harbin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (71°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (85°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 331 mm (13 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 613 mm (24.1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (76°F) | 376 mm (14.8 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 223 mm (8.8 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 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.