A Travel Price Comparison for China Lhasa vs. Hangzhou for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Lhasa or Hangzhou?

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

Should I visit Lhasa or Hangzhou? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Lhasa or Hangzhou?

Lhasa

Lhasa is the famed capital of Tibet, and is one of the most fascinating cities in the world to visit. It's name means "Land of the Gods" and the city dates back more than 1,300 years. It's elevation is 3,650 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest cities in the world. It sits on the northern slopes of the Himalayan Mountains by the Lhasa River and is the second largest city on the Tibetan Plateau after Xining.

Hangzhou

Hangzhou is a city in Eastern China, about an hour by train from Shanghai, renowned for its historic relics and natural beauty. Each year it attracts more than 20 million tourists who come to see what the city has to offer. Set amongst the natural scenery of lakes and mountains, Hangzhou is modern city that coexists with the old. Historic pagodas and cultural sites built around the central lake sit like they belong amidst the skyscrapers and bustling markets of today.

Which place is cheaper, Hangzhou or Lhasa?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Lhasa is $72, while the average daily cost in Hangzhou is $66. 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 Lhasa and Hangzhou in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lhasa $40
    Hangzhou $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lhasa $80
    Hangzhou $48
Compare Hotels in Lhasa and Hangzhou

Looking for a hotel in Lhasa or Hangzhou? 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 Lhasa


Hotels in Hangzhou


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lhasa $2.60
    Hangzhou $8.24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lhasa

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

  • Lhasa Kongga Airport Chauffeur Service, Lhasa Airport Transfer, Pickup: $260
  • Lhasa Kongga Airport Chauffeur Service, Lhasa Airport Transfer, Pickup: $170
  • [Airport Transfer] Lhasa Kunga Airport ⇔ Lhasa City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $89

Typical Local Transportation prices in Hangzhou

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hangzhou:


  • Local Bus for Two
    $0.56

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hangzhou

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hangzhou:

  • [Airport Transfer] Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport ⇔ Hangzhou City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $29
  • Xitang Water Town Self-Guided Tour with Private Transfer from Hangzhou : $95
  • Wuzhen Water Town Self-Guided Tour with Private Transfer from Hangzhou : $86
  • Wuzhen & Xitang Water Town Self-Guided Tour with Private Transfer from Hangzhou: $97
  • Water Town and West Lake Sightseeing with Hangzhou Hotel or Railway Station Transfer: $217
  • VIP Seated Impression West Lake Show with Private Hassel-Free Transfer Service: $85
  • VIP Seated Enduring Memories of Hangzhou Show with Private Transfer: $83
  • Transfer from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport to City Center: $39
  • Skip the Line: Impression West Lake Show VIP Seat Ticket with Pick-up Transfer: $82
  • Skip the Line: Impression West Lake Show Ticket with Pick-up Transfer: $72
  • Private Transfer to Yiwu City from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport: $125
  • Private Transfer to Yellow Mountain from Hangzhou: $196

Is it cheaper to fly into Lhasa or Hangzhou?

Prices for flights to both Hangzhou and Lhasa 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
    Lhasa $27
    Hangzhou $18

Typical Food prices in Hangzhou

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


  • Breakfast Pastries
    $2.38
  • Pizza Hut Lunch
    $11

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hangzhou

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

  • All Inclusive Night Tour with Impression West Lake Show VIP Ticket and Dinner: $117
  • VIP Seated Enduring Memories of Hangzhou Show Tour with Authentic Dinner: $127
  • Private Amazing Hangzhou Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner Option : $170
  • Wuzhen Ancient Water Town Private Night Tour from Hangzhou with Dinner Option: $185
  • Enduring Memories of Hangzhou West Lake Show VIP Ticket with Authentic Dinner: $191
  • Xitang Water Town Private Night Tour from Hangzhou with Dinner: $203
  • Hangzhou Private Tour to Wuzhen Water Town with Lunch or Dinner: $213
  • Hangzhou Private Tour to Wuzhen and Xitang Water Town with Dinner and Boat Ride: $282

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lhasa $17
    Hangzhou $20

Tours and Activities in Lhasa

For Lhasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Half- Day Potala Palace Tour from Lhasa: $278
  • Private Guided Day Tour Potala Palace and Sera Monastery: $360
  • Small-Group 3-Night Lhasa Potala Palace Impression Tour: $411
  • 4 Days Lhasa Impression Small Group Tour: $435
  • Romantic Tour in Lhasa: $461
  • The Best of Lhasa Walking Tour: $461
  • Group 3-Night Holy City Lhasa Tour: $500
  • 4-Day Small Group Lhasa Classic City Tour from Shenzhen: $514
  • 4-Day Small Group Lhasa Classic City Tour from Beijing: $514
  • 4-Day Small Group Lhasa Classic City Tour from Shanghai: $514
  • 4-Day Small Group Lhasa Classic City Tour from Xi'an: $514
  • 4-Day Small Group Lhasa Classic City Tour from Chengdu: $514

Tours and Activities in Hangzhou

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

  • Hangzhou Private Day Tour of West Lake, Lingyin Temple and Tea Village: $199
  • West Lake Private Tour with Boat Ride and Enduring Memories Night Show VIP Seat: $242
  • 1-day Village Tea Picking, Roasting & Serving Guided Private Tour from Hangzhou : $244
  • 2 Days 1 Night Classic Tour to Catch the Highlights in Hangzhou: $443
  • 2 Days 1 Night Classic Tour to Wuzhen Ancient Water Town in Hangzhou: $554
  • 2-Day Beijing Private Tour Include Great Wall from Hangzhou by Bullet Train : $508
  • 2-Day Hangzhou Private Tour with Wuzhen Watertown Visit : $503
  • 2-Day Hangzhou and Wuzhen Water town Private Tour with All Inclusive Option: $306
  • 2-Day Huangshan Mountain Sunset Climb & Sunrise Camp Guided Tour from Hangzhou : $162
  • 2-Day Huangshan and Hongcun Village Private Tour from Hangzhou by Bullet Train: $528
  • 2-Day Live-in Temple Buddhist Monk Mediation Experience from Hangzhou: $252
  • 2-Day Mt Huangshan and Xidi Village Private Tour from Hangzhou by Bullet Train: $528

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lhasa $7.01
    Hangzhou $10


When comparing the travel costs between Lhasa and Hangzhou, we can see that Lhasa is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

Which is Bigger, Lhasa or Hangzhou?

Hangzhou is bigger, and its population is about 15.8 times larger than the population of Lhasa. When comparing the population of Lhasa vs. Hangzhou, 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 and the activities 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.
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Lhasa vs. Hangzhou Travel Comparison

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