Which place is cheaper, Benxi or Kuala Lumpur?
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 Kuala Lumpur or Benxi?
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 Kuala Lumpur and Benxi. 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: Kuala Lumpur or Benxi?
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as KL, is the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia. It is also the largest city in the country, having grown out of a small Chinese mining village. Today Kuala Lumpur is a microcosm of the country of Malaysia. The population is split between the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures which you can see reflected in the city's neighborhoods, cuisine, and entertainment. It's also an incredibly affordable city, even if you're looking for the comforts of a five star hotel or a luxury restaurant. Prices are almost always a fraction of what you would pay in Europe or the United States.
Benxi
Benxi, China is a city in the south east of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The city itself is a major industrial hub, but is best known for the Benxi Shuidong National Park where you'll find the famous five million year old water cave. Benxi experiences cold winters, with weather being less enjoyable for touring from November through March. May through August see much warmer weather, getting up to the high 80's Fahrenheit in late summer. September and October are also good times to visit as temperatures cool to 60-70 degrees.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China.
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Kuala Lumpur Prices
Malaysia PricesBenxi Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKuala Lumpur $83Benxi $118
The average daily cost (per person) in Kuala Lumpur is $83, while the average daily cost in Benxi is $118. 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 Kuala Lumpur and Benxi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKuala Lumpur $41Benxi $47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKuala Lumpur $82Benxi $94
Compare Hotels in Kuala Lumpur and Benxi
Looking for a hotel in Kuala Lumpur or Benxi? 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: Kuala Lumpur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kuala Lumpur $7.21Benxi $32
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$3.57
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Metro Ride (for Two)$0.76
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Short Taxi Ride$3.57
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Taxi From Airport$21
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Bus from Airport$1.90
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Train & Boat to Pulau Ketam$2.85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $17
- Private Kuala Lumpur Airport Arrival Transfer: $17
- Sunway Lagoon Theme Park to Kuala Lumpur Hotels Transfer: $17
- Private: Kuala Lumpur Departure Transfer: $17
- PVT Departure Transfer <> Kuala Lumpur to KLIA 1/2: $17
- PVT Arrival Transfer<>KLIA 1/2 to Kuala Lumpur: $17
- Kuala Lumpur Airport Arrival Transfer: $17
- Sunway Lagoon Theme Park to Kuala Lumpur Hotels Transfer (1-way): $17
- Kuala Lumpur Hotels to Sunway Lagoon Theme Park Transfer (1-way): $17
- Kuala Lumpur City to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Transfer: $18
- Kuala Lumpur Hotel to Airport Transfer: $18
- Kuala Lumpur Airport Arrival Transfer: $18
Is it cheaper to fly into Kuala Lumpur or Benxi?
Prices for flights to both Benxi and Kuala Lumpur 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 dayKuala Lumpur $29Benxi $53
Typical Food Prices in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Ding Tai Fung$9.51
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Roti Bread$0.24
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Food Court Lunch$3.42
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Dinner at Indian Restaurant (for Two)$5.11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Night Tour Batu Caves and South Indian Dinner: $20
- Nightlife Street Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $41
- Laksa Lanes Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $49
- Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Sambal Street Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $53
- Best Local Food Tour by Night at Kuala Lumpur : $55
- Glowing Firefly Private Tour With Dinner: $59
- Malaysia Cooking Classes With Local: $60
- Kuala Lumpur Food Tour: $60
- Kuala Selangor Fireflies and Blue Tears Tour with Dinner (SIC): $62
- Malaysian Hands-On Cooking Class : Masala Medley : $63
- Firefly Park Kuala Selangor Seafood Dinner and Free Boat Ride: $64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kuala Lumpur $15Benxi $7.41
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
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KL Tower Admission (for Two)$11
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Canopy Walk at FRIM Forest Reserve$1.19
Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- A Self Guided Tropical Adventure at Kuala Lumpur Hidden Treasures: $3.59
- Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park Ticket with Unlimited Rides: $5.39
- Urban Museum at Toffee Raja Chulan Admission Ticket: $6.35
- Genting Highlands: Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park Entry Ticket: $6.39
- Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Pass: $7.42
- KL Tower Admission E-Ticket with Options: $8.65
- REXPERIENCE: Immersive Art Gallery at REXKL: $9.77
- Museum Of Illusions Standard Admission Ticket: $9.89
- Kuala Lumpur Suburbs Batu Caves Half-Day Tour (SIC/Shared Tour): $10
- Kuala Lumpur Half Day Guided City Tour (SIC/Shared Tour): $10
- Malaysia Cruise Tasik Putrajaya: $10
- Aquaria KLCC Entry Ticket: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKuala Lumpur $6.58Benxi $7.81
Typical Alcohol Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kuala Lumpur and Benxi, we can see that Benxi is more expensive. And not only is Kuala Lumpur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kuala Lumpur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kuala Lumpur 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 Benxi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Benxi than you might in Kuala Lumpur.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kuala Lumpur Expensive? and Is Benxi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kuala Lumpur or Benxi?
Kuala Lumpur has a larger population, and is about 47% larger than the population of Benxi. When comparing the sizes of Kuala Lumpur and Benxi, 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 Kuala Lumpur or Benxi?
Benxi has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kuala Lumpur experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Benxi in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kuala Lumpur as well as Benxi. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Kuala Lumpur is around the same temperature as Benxi. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Benxi averages at about 25°C (78°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Benxi. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kuala Lumpur this time of the year. In the summer, Kuala Lumpur often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Benxi. Kuala Lumpur gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Benxi receives 214 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Benxi. Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kuala Lumpur usually gets less rain in July than Benxi. Kuala Lumpur gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)Benxi 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Benxi in the Autumn?
Both Benxi and Kuala Lumpur are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year.
In October, Kuala Lumpur is generally much warmer than Benxi. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 27°C (81°F), and Benxi fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
It's quite sunny in Benxi. Kuala Lumpur usually receives less sunshine than Benxi during autumn. Kuala Lumpur gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Benxi receives 216 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. In October, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Benxi. Kuala Lumpur gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)Benxi 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Benxi in the Winter?
Both Benxi and Kuala Lumpur during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Benxi. Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Benxi in the winter. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Benxi fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
In the winter, Kuala Lumpur often gets more sunshine than Benxi. Kuala Lumpur gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Benxi receives 167 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in January than Benxi. Kuala Lumpur gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)Benxi -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Benxi in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kuala Lumpur and Benxi. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round.
In the spring, Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Benxi. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Benxi averages at about 11°C (51°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Benxi this time of the year. Kuala Lumpur usually receives less sunshine than Benxi during spring. Kuala Lumpur gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Benxi receives 241 hours of full sun in the spring.
Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Benxi. Kuala Lumpur gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)Benxi 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Benxi and Kuala Lumpur
| Kuala Lumpur | Benxi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 280 mm (11 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 250 mm (9.8 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 12 mm (0.5 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.