Which place is cheaper, Xi'an or Hue?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Hue or Xi'an?
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 Xi'an 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 Xi'an?
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.
Xi'an
Xi'an is an ancient city in the Shaanxi Province in China. Today it is most notable as the location of the Terracotta Warriors, but for visitors who choose to linger, there is so much more to see and do in the area. The city itself is more than 3,000 years old and for about one thousand years, through 13 dynasties and 73 emperors, it was the capital. Because of its rich history there are many historical ruins and a strong culture in the city. Today the city is a pleasant place to visit, although much of it's influence and power has dwindled. The city has both cosmopolitan and modern areas as well as historic and culturally rich areas. The neighborhoods are diverse and by exploring the city in depth you can learn a little more about what China really has to offer.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Vietnam, The Best Cultural Tours in Vietnam, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.
-
Hue Prices
Vietnam PricesXi'an Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHue $56Xi'an $105
The average daily cost (per person) in Hue is $56, while the average daily cost in Xi'an is $105. 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 Xi'an in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHue $22Xi'an $61
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHue $44Xi'an $122
Compare Hotels in Hue and Xi'an
Looking for a hotel in Hue or Xi'an? 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hue $12Xi'an $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hue
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Hue:
-
Cyclo$0.45
-
Short Taxi Ride$0.83
-
Taxi Ride to Tombs$13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hue
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hue:
- Bus Transfer From Hue to Phong Nha 1 Way: $19
- Bus Transfer From Hue - Phong Nha: $16
- Da Nang Airport: Private Transfer to/from Hue City: $94
- Deluxe Transfer Hue to Hoi An by Amazing way: $25
- From Hue : Transfer Hue To Hoi An with Sightseeing Stops: $16
- From Hue to Golden Bridge - Ba Na Via Hai Van Pass (Private Roundtrip Transfer): $85
- From Bus Transfer to Hoi An with Sightseeing Stops: $15
- From Hoi An Bus Transfer with 4 Sightseeing Stops: $13
- From Hoi An Bus Transfer with Hai Van Pass & Marble …: $15
- From Hoi An Bus Transfer with Hai Van Pass & Marble …: $16
- From One-Way Shared Bus Transfer to Da Nang: $12
- From Private Car Transfer to Da Nang: $45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xi'an
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Xi'an:
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Xi'an Central Train Station: $21
- Private Departure Transfer to Xi'an International Airport from City Hotels: $22
- Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) to Xian City - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
- Private Airport Transfer:Xi'an Xianyang International Airport to Xi'an Hotel: $29
- Xi’an Xianyang International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area: $29
- Xi’an Xianyang International Airport Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $29
- Xi’an Railway Station Private Departure Transfer from City Area: $29
- Xi'an Terracotta Army Tickets with Optional Guide/Transfer: $30
- Private Transfer BetweenXi'an Airport/Rainway station and Hotel: $31
- Bullet Train Station Transfer Service: $31
- Xi'an North Railway Station Transfer To Xianyang Airport: $32
- Xi'an Downtown Hotel To Xi'an North Railway Station one way private transfer: $33
Is it cheaper to fly into Hue or Xi'an?
Prices for flights to both Xi'an 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 dayHue $25Xi'an $22
Typical Food Prices in Hue
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hue are as follows:
-
River Night Market Dinner (for Two)$7.58
-
Two Sugarcane Drinks$0.76
-
Quick Lunch (for Two)$2.08
-
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 Xi'an
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Xi'an.
- Xi’an：City Wall Multi-Entry or Night Food Tour with Show: $21
- Xi'An: Tang Dynasty Show Ticket w/ Transfer or Dinner: $33
- Top 3 Xian Sites to Terracotta Army & Dinner Show w/ Options: $35
- Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket Optional Dumplings or Royal Dinner: $37
- Skip the Line: Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket & Dumpling Dinner or Royal Banquet: $37
- Xi'an: Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show with Dinner Option: $40
- Xi’an: Market Tour and Cooking Class with Local Family: $59
- Xi'an Muslim Quarter Walking Food Tour: $61
- Xian: Morning Food Tour of the Muslim Quarter: $67
- Private Old Xi'an Authentic Local Beer Dinner Tour: $68
- Authentic Old Xi'an Back Alley Food Tour: $69
- Xi'an Evening Food Tour by TukTuk: $69
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hue $11Xi'an $36
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hue
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hue are as follows:
-
Boat Ride$7.39
-
Bicycle Rental (One Day)$1.06
-
Imperial Citadel Entrance$3.03
-
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:
- Eat like a local with a local - Walking Tour: $2.00
- Hue Imperial Ancient City Walking Tour: $2.00
- Traditional Singing on Huong River Ticket: $4.03
- Private City Tour By Car - English Speaking Driver: $4.72
- Vietnam Song Lab Digital Art Center Entry Ticket: $7.66
- Hue Imperial City 3 Hour Walking Tour for Budget Travelers: $8.00
- City Tour with Driver - Customized Your Own Itinerary: $8.66
- Experience Paper Flower Making in Hue for a Cause: $10
- Private City Tour by Car with English-Speaking Driver: $10
- Imperial City Walk, Motorbike Tour & Private Car Options: $10
- Hue Royal Tombs Tour Visit 3 Best Tombs & Pagoda: $13
- Royal Tombs Private Tour with 3 Best Tombs & Pagoda: $13
Tours and Activities in Xi'an
Here are a few actual costs in Xi'an for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Xi'an: Daci'en Temple(Great Wild Goose Pagoda) E-ticket: $9.99
- Xi'an: City Wall & Old Town Walking Tour w/ 10+ Food Tasting: $14
- Xi’an City Wall – E-Ticket: $15
- Xi'an: Xi’an City Wall South Gate(Yongningmen) Entry Ticket: $15
- Xi'an Virtual Tour: Emperor Qin Shi Huang and His Terracotta Army: $15
- Xi'an: City Wall Moat Smart Boat Tour: $17
- Xian: Terracotta Army Ticket & Guided Bus Tour with Options: $20
- Xian Day Tour, Terracotta Army, City Wall, Pagoda, Muslim Bazaar: $24
- Xi'an Exclusive Terracotta Army Tour with Local Family Lunch: $24
- MuBus: Xi'an Terracotta Warriors Museum Bus Tour with Options: $25
- Xi'an: Giant Wild Goose Pagoda Temple Entrance Ticket: $25
- Terracotta Army Ticket Booking - Optional Guide Service: $25
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayHue $5.49Xi'an $7.34
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hue
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Hue:
-
Beer$0.95
Sample the Local Flavors in Xi'an
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Xi'an:
- Xi'an Bar Crawl: Drink, Gaming, Snacks & Meet with Locals: $29
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hue and Xi'an, we can see that Xi'an 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 Xi'an would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Xi'an 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 Xi'an Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hue or Xi'an?
Xi'an has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hue. When comparing the sizes of Hue and Xi'an, 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.
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.