A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hue vs. Nanjing for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hue or Nanjing?

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 Nanjing 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 Nanjing?

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.

Nanjing

Nanjing is the capital city of the Jiangsu Province on the central eastern coast of China, just north of Shanghai. This historically and culturally rich city lies at the lower end of the Yangtze river, resulting in lush and scenic landscapes. Nanjing is well-known for having many popular historical sites, some of which have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Vietnam, The Best Historical Tours in China, and The Best 10-Day Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Nanjing or Hue?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Hue is $48, while the average daily cost in Nanjing is $96. 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 Nanjing in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hue $23
    Nanjing $46
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hue $46
    Nanjing $92
Compare Hotels in Hue and Nanjing

Looking for a hotel in Hue or Nanjing? 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 Hue


Hotels in Nanjing


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hue $12
    Nanjing $38
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hue

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


  • Cyclo
    $0.48
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.88
  • Taxi Ride to Tombs
    $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hue

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hue:

  • Da Nang Airport: Private Transfer to/from Hue City: $107
  • Da Nang City : Private Car Transfer to Da Nang/From Hue City: $95
  • Da Nang: Airport Transfer Pick up Service: $5.91
  • Da Nang: Private Car Transfer to Hue Via My Son Sanctuary: $139
  • Daily Transfer Hue - Hoi An with sightseeing on the way: $63
  • Danang: Transfer to/from Hue by Private Car via Hai Van Pass: $41
  • Deluxe Transfer Hue to Hoi An by Amazing way: $25
  • From Da Nang : Private Transfer to Hue via Hai Van pass: $35
  • From Hue : Transfer Hue To Hoi An with Sightseeing: $16
  • From Hue Private Transfer to Phong Nha via DMZ & sightseeing: $67
  • From Hue to Golden Bridge - Ba Na Via Hai Van Pass (Private Roundtrip Transfer): $85
  • From Bach Ma National Park Private Car Transfer: $121

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nanjing

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nanjing:

  • Huangshan Tunxi International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area: $20
  • Nanjing Railway Station Private Transfer from City Center: $32
  • Private Arrival Transfer to Nanjing City from Railway Station : $32
  • Private Transfer between Nanjing Olympic Stadium and City Hotel: $33
  • Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Nanjing Any Railway Station: $34
  • Nanjing Railway Station Private Arrival Transfer to City Hotels: $35
  • Nanjing Airport (NKG) to Nanjing - Arrival Private Transfer : $36
  • Tangshan Hot Spring Resorts Private Transfer from Nanjing Railway Station: $44
  • Nanjing Lukou International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Center: $45
  • Private Departure Transfer from Nanjing City Center to Lukou Int'l Airport: $45
  • Private Transfer to Nanjing Railway Station from Lukou Airport : $45
  • Nanjing Railway Station Private Transfer to Lukou International Airport: $45

Is it cheaper to fly into Hue or Nanjing?

Prices for flights to both Nanjing 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Hue $15
    Nanjing $28
Typical Food Prices in Hue

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


  • River Night Market Dinner (for Two)
    $7.99
  • Two Sugarcane Drinks
    $0.80
  • Quick Lunch (for Two)
    $2.20
  • Sitdown Dinner (for Two)
    $4.39

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hue

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

  • Private Healthy Cooking Class In Ancient Vietnamese Garden: $20
  • Hue Walking Street Food Tour: $27
  • Walking street food tour: $30
  • Hue : Vegetarian Cooking Class with Local Family: $31
  • Vietnamese Cooking Class with Local Family in Hue: $31
  • Hue Food Tour by Walking or Cyclo or Motorcycle with Driver: $33
  • Hue Food Tour by Walking or Cyclo or Motorbike with Driver: $33
  • Home Cooking Class in Hue City : $35
  • Hue Walking Food Tour: $35
  • Best Hue Street Food Tour: $35
  • Exploring Hue Food Tour with Local Guide : $35
  • Home Vegan/Vegetarian Cooking Class with Local Girl: $35

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nanjing

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

  • 3-Hour Nanjing Authentic Local Food Tour by Public Transportation: $93
  • Flexible Private Nanjing City Night Tour with Dinner Option : $112
  • Nanjing City Private Night Tour with Qinghuai River Cruise and Dinner Option: $114
  • Nanjing Tangshan Mountain Hot Spring Experience and Hot Pot Dinner: $175
  • Private Amazing Nanjing Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $181

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hue $11
    Nanjing $9.27
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hue

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


  • Boat Ride
    $7.79
  • Bicycle Rental (One Day)
    $1.12
  • Imperial Citadel Entrance
    $3.20
  • Massage at Institute for the Blind
    $1.60

Tours and Activities in Hue

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hue are as follows:

  • Traditional Singing on Huong River Ticket: $3.82
  • Hue City Tour by Private Car & English Speaking Driver: $8.80
  • Hue Car Rental: Sightseeing City Day Trip by Car with Driver: $9.23
  • Sightseeing Travel Bus from Hue to Hoi An: $12
  • Discover Vietnamese Cuisine E-Ticket: $15
  • Hue Hoi An Bus Tour Sightseeing via Hai Van Pass 4 Stops: $15
  • Sightseeing Bus from Hue to Hoi An (Seat in Coach): $15
  • Hue Imperial City Sightseeing Full-Day Trip From Hue: $16
  • From Hue : Full-Day Hue Imperial City Tour with Lunch: $16
  • Hue : City Highlights Full Day Tour with Lunch: $16
  • BUS TOUR HUE - PHONG NHA: $16
  • HUE - HOI AN BUS TOUR (S.I.C): $16

Tours and Activities in Nanjing

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

  • Flexible Private Nanjing Independent Tour : $63
  • Nanjing Self-Guided Day Tour with Private Car and Driver Service: $70
  • Nanjing Private English Tour Guide Service: $75
  • Private Amazing Nanjing City Day Tour in Your Way: $75
  • Nanjing Professional English Tour Guide Service: $91
  • Half-Day Nanjing Purple Mountain Private Tour in Your Way: $94
  • Yangzhou Self-Guided Tour from Nanjing with Private Car and Driver Service : $94
  • 4-Hour Nanjing City Private Tailor-Made Tour in Your Way : $109
  • Half-Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour : $109
  • 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour: Xiaoling Tomb, Ming City Wall and Memorial Hall : $115
  • Nanjing Private Flexible Day Tour with Ancient and Modern History: $119
  • Half-Day Private Customized Nanjing City Tour: $122

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hue $5.79
    Nanjing $9.46
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hue

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


  • Beer
    $1.00


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


Which is Bigger, Hue or Nanjing?

Nanjing has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hue. When comparing the sizes of Hue and Nanjing, 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 Nanjing?

Nanjing 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 Nanjing in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hue and Nanjing. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hue year-round.

In July, Hue is generally around the same temperature as Nanjing. Daily temperatures in Hue average around 29°C (85°F), and Nanjing fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

Nanjing receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Hue usually receives less rain than Nanjing. Hue gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Nanjing receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. March to August in Hue is the dry season. Also, September to December is the rainy season in Hue.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hue 29°C (85°F) 
    Nanjing 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Hue or Nanjing in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hue as well as Nanjing. Hue attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Hue is a little warmer than Nanjing in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hue averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Nanjing fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Hue receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hue usually gets more rain in October than Nanjing. Hue gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Nanjing receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. September to December in Hue is the rainy season.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hue 25°C (78°F) 
    Nanjing 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Hue or Nanjing in the Winter?

Both Nanjing and Hue are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hue throughout the year.

The weather in Nanjing can be very cold. In the winter, Hue is much warmer than Nanjing. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hue in January average around 22°C (71°F), and Nanjing averages at about 3°C (37°F).

It's quite rainy in Hue. In January, Hue usually receives more rain than Nanjing. Hue gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Nanjing receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Hue is March to August.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hue 22°C (71°F) 
    Nanjing 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Hue or Nanjing in the Spring?

Both Nanjing and Hue during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hue because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Hue is generally much warmer than Nanjing. Daily temperatures in Hue average around 26°C (80°F), and Nanjing fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

Nanjing gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hue usually gets less rain in April than Nanjing. Hue gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Nanjing receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hue 26°C (80°F) 
    Nanjing 15°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Nanjing and Hue

Hue Nanjing
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 22°C (71°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 3°C (37°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Feb 23°C (73°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 4°C (40°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Mar 24°C (75°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 9°C (48°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 15°C (60°F) 101 mm (4 in)
May 29°C (83°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 21°C (69°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Jun 30°C (85°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Jul 29°C (85°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 28°C (83°F) 174 mm (6.9 in)
Aug 29°C (85°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 28°C (83°F) 158 mm (6.2 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 331 mm (13 in) 23°C (74°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Oct 25°C (78°F) 613 mm (24.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Nov 24°C (76°F) 376 mm (14.8 in) 11°C (52°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Dec 23°C (73°F) 223 mm (8.8 in) 5°C (41°F) 25 mm (1 in)