A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Islamabad vs. Guilin for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Islamabad or Guilin?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Islamabad and Guilin 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: Islamabad or Guilin?

Islamabad

Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.

Guilin

Guilin is a city in Southern China situated on the west bank of the Li River with Hunan to the north. Its name means, "Forest of Sweet Osmanthus," owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. Products like tea, sugar, and wine, can be made from the tree and are found in many shops throughout Guilin. A popular tourist destination, the city is renowned for its scenery of karst topography with unique mountains jutting out of the urban landscape.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Guilin or Islamabad?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Islamabad is $51, while the average daily cost in Guilin is $84. 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 Islamabad and Guilin in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Islamabad $20
    Guilin $35
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Islamabad $40
    Guilin $70
Compare Hotels in Islamabad and Guilin

Looking for a hotel in Islamabad or Guilin? 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 Islamabad


Hotels in Guilin


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: Islamabad Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Islamabad $7.49
    Guilin $5.85

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad

Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Islamabad Airport Transfers : $54
  • Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
  • Islamabad Round Trip Airport Transfer & Customizable Day Trip: $95
  • Karachi Airport Transfer, Airport Pick and Drop : $55
  • Premium Services: Islamabad Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfers.: $170
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
  • Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
  • Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
  • Transit Trip: Islamabad City Exploration Day Tour & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $110

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:


  • Taxi
    $2.80

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:

  • Private Transfer from/to Zhangjiajie to Guilin: $387
  • Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Chengyang Dong Village: $267
  • Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Longji rice terraces area: $267
  • Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Hongjiang: $267
  • Private Transfer: Guilin to/from Zhangjiajie/Fenghuang: $256
  • Guilin Airport to Yangshuo: Private Transfer for up to 15 Pax: $190
  • Private Transfer from Guilin to Zhaoxing and stops at Longji terraces: $168
  • Private Transfer from Yangshuo/Guilin to Sanjiang and stops Longji Rice Terraces: $160
  • Private Transfer from Haikou (HAK) airport to/from Sanya hotel: $120
  • Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Guilin hotel: $120
  • Guilin Private Transfer in English-speaking Services: Airport to Hotel Roundtrip: $99
  • 2-hours Yangshuo Yulong Bamboo Boat Tour with the Round-way Private Transfers: $83

Is it cheaper to fly into Islamabad or Guilin?

Prices for flights to both Guilin and Islamabad 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
    Islamabad $25
    Guilin $39

Typical Food Prices in Guilin

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


  • Fresh Coconut Drink
    $1.40

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guilin

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

  • Half day Yangshuo Cooking lesson Small Group Tour: $62
  • Full-Day Li-River with the 4 Star Luxury Boat VIP Room and Yangshuo Cooking Tour: $286
  • Countryside Cycling 1-day Tour with Cooking Class: $306

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Islamabad $9.25
    Guilin $28

Tours and Activities in Islamabad

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.

  • Islamabad and Rawalpindi Sightseeing Tour: $70
  • Explore Lake View Park Islamabad on Private Bus Tour: $72
  • Full Day Islamabad & Taxila Tour: $78
  • Half Day Private Instagram Guided City Tour : $80
  • Private Tour: Islamabad Full Day Customized Exploration Tour: $90
  • Guided Top 5 Wonders Exploration Tour: $95
  • Best of Islamabad City Landmarks Exploration Tour (Private & Guided).: $95
  • Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
  • Best of One-Day Sightseeing Tour: $95
  • Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
  • Full Day Private Guided Tour of Taxila Gandahara Civilization : $110
  • Top Ten Wonders of Islamabad Guided City Tour: $120

Typical Entertainment Prices in Guilin

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


  • Entrance to the Caves
    $17

Tours and Activities in Guilin

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

  • 2-Day Self-Guided Guilin Tour with 4 Star Boat, Yangshuo and Longji Terraces : $200
  • Longji Rice Terraces Day Tour with the Ping'an and Dazhai Village: $209
  • 1 Day Congjiang Ethnic Dong Village Private Tour from Guilin: $219
  • 1 Day Guilin Sanjiang Tour to Dong Villages: $169
  • 1 Day Guilin Tour: Village Visit, Waterfall Viewing, Hiking: $230
  • 1 Day Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Biking Adventure: $72
  • 1 Day Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo with Private Guide: $209
  • 1 Day Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo with Private Guide & Driver: $209
  • 1 Day Private Cruise Tour at Li River from Guilin with Biking: $198
  • 1 Day Private Longji Rice Terraces and Minority Village Tour: $202
  • 1 Day Private Tour: Li River Cruise from Guilin & Yangshuo Biking: $172
  • 1 Day Relaxing Guilin Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Tour: $205

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Islamabad $2.82
    Guilin $5.81


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Islamabad and Guilin, we can see that Guilin is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad 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 Guilin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guilin than you might in Islamabad.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Islamabad Expensive? and Is Guilin Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Islamabad or Guilin?

Guilin has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of Islamabad. When comparing the sizes of Islamabad and Guilin, 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 Islamabad or Guilin?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Islamabad or Guilin in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Islamabad as well as Guilin.

It's very hot in Islamabad this time of the year. Islamabad is around the same temperature as Guilin in the summer. The daily temperature in Islamabad averages around 32°C (90°F) in July, and Guilin fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).

It's quite rainy in Guilin. Islamabad receives a lot of rain in the summer. Islamabad usually gets more rain in July than Guilin. Islamabad gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Islamabad 32°C (90°F) 
    Guilin 30°C (86°F)

Should I visit Islamabad or Guilin in the Autumn?

Both Guilin and Islamabad are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

In the autumn, Islamabad is a little warmer than Guilin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Islamabad in October average around 26°C (80°F), and Guilin averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In October, Islamabad usually receives less rain than Guilin. Islamabad gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Islamabad 26°C (80°F) 
    Guilin 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Islamabad or Guilin in the Winter?

Both Guilin and Islamabad during the winter are popular places to visit.

In January, Islamabad is generally a little warmer than Guilin. Daily temperatures in Islamabad average around 14°C (57°F), and Guilin fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Islamabad usually gets less rain in January than Guilin. Islamabad gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Islamabad 14°C (57°F) 
    Guilin 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Islamabad or Guilin in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Islamabad and Guilin.

Islamabad is a little warmer than Guilin in the spring. The daily temperature in Islamabad averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Guilin fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

Guilin receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Islamabad usually receives less rain than Guilin. Islamabad gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Islamabad 27°C (80°F) 
    Guilin 20°C (68°F)

Typical Weather for Guilin and Islamabad

Islamabad Guilin
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 10°C (49°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb 16°C (61°F) 50 mm (2 in) 11°C (51°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Mar 21°C (70°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 129 mm (5.1 in)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 37 mm (1.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 263 mm (10.3 in)
May 32°C (89°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 25°C (77°F) 334 mm (13.2 in)
Jun 35°C (94°F) 52 mm (2 in) 28°C (82°F) 320 mm (12.6 in)
Jul 32°C (90°F) 237 mm (9.3 in) 30°C (86°F) 206 mm (8.1 in)
Aug 31°C (89°F) 221 mm (8.7 in) 30°C (86°F) 168 mm (6.6 in)
Sep 31°C (87°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Oct 26°C (80°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 12°C (53°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)