A Travel Price Comparison for China Lhasa vs. Xi'an for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Lhasa or Xi'an?

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

Should I visit Lhasa or Xi'an? 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 Xi'an?

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.

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.

Which place is cheaper, Xi'an 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 Xi'an is $96. 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 Xi'an in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lhasa $40
    Xi'an $61
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lhasa $80
    Xi'an $122
Compare Hotels in Lhasa and Xi'an

Looking for a hotel in Lhasa 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.

Hotels in Lhasa


Hotels in Xian


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
    Xi'an $12

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xi'an

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Xi'an:

  • Xian to Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) - Departure Private Transfer: $32
  • Xian to Shanghai Bullet Train Ticket with North Railway Station Transfer: $144
  • Xian to Luoyang Bullet Train Ticket with North Railway Station Transfer: $48
  • Xian to Chengdu Bullet Train Ticket with North Railway Station Transfer: $65
  • Xian to Beijing Bullet Train Ticket with North Railway Station Transfer: $114
  • Xian Xianyang International Airport (XIY) Private Departure Transfer: $40
  • Xian Xianyang International Airport (XIY) Private Arrival Transfer: $40
  • Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) to Xian City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $57
  • Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) to Xian City - Arrival Private Transfer: $29
  • Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) to Xian - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $64
  • Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) to Xian - Arrival Private Transfer: $32
  • Xian Train Station Arrival or Departure Transfer with English-Speaking Driver: $24

Is it cheaper to fly into Lhasa or Xi'an?

Prices for flights to both Xi'an 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
    Xi'an $13

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Xi'an

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Xi'an.

  • Skip the Line: Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket & Dumpling Dinner or Royal Banquet: $32
  • Xian Muslim Quarter: 2-Hour Small Group Walking Food Tour : $36
  • Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show and Dumpling Dinner with Private Hotel Transfer: $40
  • Dinner and Show of Tang Dynasty Palace in Xian: $40
  • Private Home Cooking Class:Dumpling Cooking Class Tour in Xi'an: $50
  • Xi'an Twilight Sightseeing and Food Tour: $51
  • Tang Dynasty Show with Optional Dinner: $51
  • Xi'an Authentic Food Tour with Local Beverages: $54
  • Tang Dynasty Dinner Show: $55
  • Xi'an Vegetarian Food Tour: $60
  • Xi'an Food Tour by Tuk Tuk: $62
  • Amazing Local Food Tour in Central Xi'an: $64

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lhasa $17
    Xi'an $36

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 Xi'an

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

  • 3-Day Private Tour to Zhangjiajie National Park and Glass Bridge from Xi’an: $718
  • 5-Day Private Tour to Xi'an,Pingyao and Datong by Bullet Train: $1,062
  • Group Tour to the Terra-cotta Warriors Museum & Lunch : $70
  • Private Half Day Tour to See The Big Wild Goose Pagoda&City Wall:: $185
  • Xi'an Morning Food & Market Tour by TukTuk: $55
  • #1 Bestselling Private Terracotta Army Tours + Customized Xian Tours: $109
  • 1 Day Xian City Highlights Private Tour: $148
  • 1 Day Xian Group Tour: Terracotta Warriors & City Wall: $138
  • 1 day Hua mountain tour: $309
  • 1 day The Terracotta Army+Xi'an City Wall+Yongxing Square Mini Group Tour: $106
  • 1 day Xi'an Culture and History Discovery Mini Group tour: $112
  • 1 day private tour to Xi'an Terra Cotta Warriors by Metro/Subway: $110

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lhasa $7.01
    Xi'an $7.34

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lhasa and Xi'an, we can see that Xi'an is more expensive. And not only is Lhasa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lhasa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lhasa 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 Lhasa.

Which is Bigger, Lhasa or Xi'an?

Xi'an is bigger, and its population is about 27.2 times larger than the population of Lhasa. When comparing the population of Lhasa vs. 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 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.
About BudgetYourTrip.com
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Lhasa vs. Xi'an Travel Comparison

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