Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Kanchanaburi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kanchanaburi or Harbin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kanchanaburi and Harbin. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Kanchanaburi or Harbin?
Kanchanaburi
If the hustle and bustle of the big city of Bangkok is just getting to you, there's an easy escape. Kanchanaburi, Thailand is a city located at the meeting of Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai, and is ideal for backpackers looking to reflect and relax. With easily accessible waterfalls and national parks, you'll wonder why anyone ever leaves.
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 Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKanchanaburi $42Harbin $54
The average daily cost (per person) in Kanchanaburi is $42, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $54. 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 Kanchanaburi and Harbin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKanchanaburi $19Harbin $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKanchanaburi $38Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Kanchanaburi and Harbin
Looking for a hotel in Kanchanaburi 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: Kanchanaburi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kanchanaburi $12Harbin $1.49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kanchanaburi
Also for Kanchanaburi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Ratchaburi to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $90
- Private Transfer from Ratchaburi to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $98
- Private Transfer from Kanchanaburi to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $163
- Private Transfer from Kanchanaburi to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $171
- Private Airport Transfer : Bangkok to/from Kanchanaburi: $103
- Arrival Bangkok Airport Private Transfer : Hotel in Kanchanaburi: $116
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
- Shared Night Transfer Service to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $85
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $168
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service , Harbin Airport Transfer,Pick up: $78
- Harbin City Car Transfer Service with Driver: $168
- Harbin Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer: $27
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
- Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Any Harbin Railway Station : $25
Is it cheaper to fly into Kanchanaburi or Harbin?
Prices for flights to both Harbin and Kanchanaburi 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 dayKanchanaburi $12Harbin $14
Typical Food Prices in Kanchanaburi
For Kanchanaburi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Casual Lunch$4.09
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kanchanaburi
For Kanchanaburi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Thai Cooking Class: $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Food Tour Including Harbin Beer1900: $157
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World with Dinner Options: $261
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kanchanaburi $9.10Harbin $52
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kanchanaburi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kanchanaburi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Entry Park TreeHouse$5.46
Tours and Activities in Kanchanaburi
For Kanchanaburi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Amazing Boat Trip River Kwai and Erawan Falls Full Day Tour: $116
- Bangkok Mystical Waterfall & River Kwai Tour: $241
- Bangkok and Beyond - A 6 Day Exciting Group Tour: $1,000
- Bangkok: 2-Day River Kwai & Erawan National Park Tour: $281
- Bangkok: Erawan Waterfall, River Kwai & Death Railway Tour: $95
- Bangkok: Kanchanaburi and Erawan Waterfall Private Tour: $149
- Cycling to visit Local Experience and Learn Culture with Local expert: $28
- Discovery Bike Tour: $16
- E-Scooter Tour in Kanchanaburi: $30
- Erawan Waterfall & Train Tour from Kanchanaburi – Full Day: $110
- Erawan Waterfalls & Phra That Cave Tour : from Bangkok: $111
- Full Day Kanchanaburi River Kwai Experience: $84
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $130
- 2-Day Harbin City Private Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $280
- 4-Hour Private Tour of the Largest Indoor Ice and Snow Paradise: $136
- From Amazing Day Trip Including tickets: $400
- Full Day Private Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow Festival: $250
- Group Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World plus Sun Island Snow Sculpture Festival: $298
- Harbin City Group Tour including Crossing Songhua River by Ropeway and Ice Swimming Show: $290
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
- 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 City Tour of Harbin: $360
- Private Half Day City Tour including Russian Town and Harbin Ropeway Ride: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKanchanaburi $8.03Harbin $7.83
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kanchanaburi and Harbin, we can see that Harbin is more expensive. And not only is Kanchanaburi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kanchanaburi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kanchanaburi Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kanchanaburi or Harbin?
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Kanchanaburi. When comparing the sizes of Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi or Harbin?
Harbin has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kanchanaburi experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Harbin in the Summer?
Both Harbin and Kanchanaburi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kanchanaburi throughout the year.
Kanchanaburi is a little warmer than Harbin in the summer. The daily temperature in Kanchanaburi averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Harbin fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Harbin. In July, Kanchanaburi usually receives less rain than Harbin. Kanchanaburi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Kanchanaburi is July to October.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKanchanaburi 29°C (84°F)Harbin 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Harbin in the Autumn?
Both Harbin and Kanchanaburi during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kanchanaburi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Kanchanaburi is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kanchanaburi in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Harbin averages at about 7°C (44°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kanchanaburi. Kanchanaburi usually gets more rain in October than Harbin. Kanchanaburi gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year. November to May is the dry season in Kanchanaburi. July to October is the rainy season in Kanchanaburi.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKanchanaburi 28°C (82°F)Harbin 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Harbin in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kanchanaburi and Harbin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kanchanaburi year-round.
The weather in Harbin can be very cold. In January, Kanchanaburi is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Kanchanaburi average around 25°C (77°F), and Harbin fluctuates around -18°C (-0°F).
In January, Kanchanaburi usually receives more rain than Harbin. Kanchanaburi gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKanchanaburi 25°C (77°F)Harbin -18°C (-0°F)
Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Harbin in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kanchanaburi as well as Harbin. Kanchanaburi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
It's very hot in Kanchanaburi this time of the year. Kanchanaburi is much warmer than Harbin in the spring. The daily temperature in Kanchanaburi averages around 32°C (89°F) in April, and Harbin fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
Kanchanaburi usually gets more rain in April than Harbin. Kanchanaburi gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to May in Kanchanaburi is the dry season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKanchanaburi 32°C (89°F)Harbin 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Harbin and Kanchanaburi
| Kanchanaburi | Harbin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 30°C (87°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (85°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 218 mm (8.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (76°F) | 9 mm (0.4 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.