A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Malang vs. Guangzhou for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Malang or Guangzhou?

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

Should I visit Malang or Guangzhou? 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: Malang or Guangzhou?

Malang

Malang is a city in East Java, Indonesia. It's a cultured city with several important universities, and is home to a large student population. Prized by the Dutch for its mild highland climate, the city retains much of its colonial architecture. Established by the Dutch in the closing decades of the 18th century, Malang earned its first fortunes from coffee, which flourished on the surrounding hillsides. Today, the city's colonial grandeur is quickly disappearing behind the homogenous facades of more modern developments, but there's still much to admire. The Balai Kota building blends Indonesian and Dutch styles, and grand mansions line the main boulevard, Jalan Besar Ijen. To the east is Mt. Bromo, a volcano with hiking trails. The central area is not too large and quite walkable. And with a number of Hindu temples and sights outside the city, Malang makes an ideal base to explore this intriguing corner of east Java.

Guangzhou

With a population of more than 12 million, Guangzhou is the third largest city in China after Beijing and Shanghai. Though it has a long history, founded in 214 BC, the city has also many modern attractions, a mix of the old and new with temples and parks as well as skyscrapers and shopping centers. Its location on the Pearl River has contributed to this growth, making Guangzhou a major port and commercial hub.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, and The Best 2-Week Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Guangzhou or Malang?

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 Malang is $76, while the average daily cost in Guangzhou is $104. 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 Malang and Guangzhou in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Malang $43
    Guangzhou $58
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Malang $86
    Guangzhou $116
Compare Hotels in Malang and Guangzhou

Looking for a hotel in Malang or Guangzhou? 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 Malang


Hotels in Guangzhou


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: Malang Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Malang $1.36
    Guangzhou $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malang

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malang:

  • Private Transfer from Samaan to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $218

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guangzhou

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guangzhou:

  • Canton Fair Private Transfer between Guangzhou City Center and Pazhou Complex : $32
  • Chimelong International Circus Ticket with Transfer: $80
  • Guangzhou : Private One-Way Transfers to/from Baiyun Airport(CAN): $30
  • Guangzhou Airport & Train Station Private Transfer English Driver: $32
  • Guangzhou Airport (CAN) to Guangzhou Round-Trip Private Transfer: $74
  • Guangzhou Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 15 Pax: $170
  • Guangzhou Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 5 pax: $120
  • Guangzhou Airport: Private Transfer to/from Guangzhou: $24
  • Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (CAN) to Guangzhou City - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
  • Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (CAN) to Guangzhou City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $74
  • Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service , To Guangzhou Transfer,Pickup: $59
  • Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service, To Dongguan Transfer: $135

Is it cheaper to fly into Malang or Guangzhou?

Prices for flights to both Guangzhou and Malang 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
    Malang $29
    Guangzhou $34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malang

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

  • Malang Cooking Class by Mam Warti: $20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guangzhou

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

  • Old Town Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $79
  • Shenzhen Cantonese Dim Sum Cooking Class with Lunch: $86
  • Food Tour - Eat Like Local + Rice Roll Workshop: $96
  • Private Guangzhou Night Tour VIP Cruise and Dim-Sum Dinner Option: $146
  • Guangzhou walking tour with dimsum dinner&Zhujiang river cruise: $160
  • Private Guangzhou Night Tour with Canton Tower and Dim-Sum Dinner: $176
  • Pearl River Night Cruise and Karaoke Tour with Buffet Dinner in Guangzhou: $179
  • Private Guangzhou Food Tour Michelin Restaurant&Local Food Market: $180
  • Morning Tea, Cantonese Opera, and Food Tour: $183
  • Cantonese Dim Sum Dinner with Pearl River Night Cruise in Guangzhou: $199
  • Guangzhou Pearl River Night Cruise and Din Tai Feng Dinner: $199
  • Guangzhou Private Night Tour: Lychee Bay, Beijing Road, Cruise, Dinner: $204

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Malang $8.53
    Guangzhou $18

Tours and Activities in Malang

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

  • Malang kampong sightseeing running tour: $18
  • Around Bromo Farming Experience: $31
  • Shared Bromo Tour Start From Malang - 1D: $32
  • From Bromo Sunrise Guided Group Tour: $32
  • 1 Day Mount Bromo Sharing Tour Package from Malang: $34
  • Waterfalls Tour: $40
  • 1Day - Bromo Sunrise Tour via Malang (Sharing or Private Jeep): $41
  • 1 Day Amazing Bromo Sunrise tour from Malang Surabaya 7 spots: $41
  • 1 Day Tumpak Sewu Waterfall Tour from Malang: $46
  • Day Tour - Golden Sunrise Mount Bromo via Malang (Sharing Tour): $47
  • Bromo Adventure: $50
  • 1 Day - ULTIMATE TOUR Tumpak Sewu Waterfall and Goa Tetes cave // 07:30 - 17:30: $52

Tours and Activities in Guangzhou

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

  • Guangzhou:New Cultural Landmark Ticket -Explore Tang Style: $2.56
  • 2,000-Year-Old Wonder-Nanyue King’s Tomb Ticket: $3.19
  • Reputable Private Guangzhou Tour Guide Service by Xaq: $5.00
  • Cantonese Heritage Tour with Key Cultural Stops: $6.74
  • Discover Private Tour of Culture, Food & Pearl River: $6.99
  • Pearl River 1-hour Night Cruise (Optional Piers): $13
  • Foshan Classic Old Town Tour : $15
  • Private Guangzhou Tour with Comfortable Transportation: $16
  • Lychee Bay River Cruise: $24
  • Grandview Museum of Nature Science Ticket: $25
  • Pick Up Service and Tour for Canton Culture and Food: $26
  • Roundtrip Cruise Night View from Canton Tower: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Malang -
    Guangzhou $14


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

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


Which is Bigger, Malang or Guangzhou?

Guangzhou has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Malang. When comparing the sizes of Malang and Guangzhou, 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.