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

Should you visit Malang or Hangzhou?

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

Should I visit Malang 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: Malang or Hangzhou?

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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best Adventure Tours to China, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou is $80. 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 Hangzhou in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Malang $43
    Hangzhou $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Malang $86
    Hangzhou $48
Compare Hotels in Malang and Hangzhou

Looking for a hotel in Malang 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 Malang


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.


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
    Hangzhou $8.24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malang

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malang:

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

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:

  • Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area : $29
  • 2-Day Putuo Mountain Self-Guided Tour from Hangzhou by Private Transfer: $282
  • Enduring Memories of Hangzhou West Lake Show VIP Ticket with Private Transfer: $128
  • Hangzhou Downtown transfer to Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport: $35
  • Hangzhou Private Transfer to Shanghai with Drop-off Options : $131
  • Hangzhou Private Transfer to Shanghai with stop-over at Wuzhen Water Town: $167
  • Hangzhou Private Transfer: City Hotels to Railway Station: $28
  • Hangzhou Railway Station Private Arrival Transfer to City Area : $29
  • Hangzhou West Lake Impression Ticket with Private Transfer: $122
  • Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport TransferTo Shanghai Pudong Airport: $140
  • Hangzhou Xiaoshan Int'l Airport Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $29
  • Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport Private Transfer to QianDao Lake : $131

Is it cheaper to fly into Malang or Hangzhou?

Prices for flights to both Hangzhou 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
    Hangzhou $31

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

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
  • Hangzhou One Day Local Food Tour: $124
  • Private Amazing Hangzhou Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner Option : $170
  • Xitang Water Town Private Night Tour from Hangzhou with Dinner: $203

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Malang $8.53
    Hangzhou $20

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 Hangzhou

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

  • Fei Lai Peak (Lingyin Temple) E-Ticket: $12
  • Hangzhou Ghost Market Adventure: Antique Hunt & Bargain Tour: $40
  • The Key to Zhejiang Culture – Guided Museum Tour: $45
  • A Local Breakfast Experience and TCM visit: $46
  • Hangzhou Bites: Local Guided Market Tour: $49
  • Authentic Hangzhou Longjing Tea Culture Experience Tour : $53
  • Best Price: Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $59
  • Skip the Line: Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $65
  • Zhejiang University Guided Campus Tour: $65
  • Skip the Line Impression West Lake VIP Seat Ticket: $75
  • Zuiyi Hangzhou Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $75
  • Jiaxing Wuzhen East and West Day Tour from Hangzhou: $80

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Malang -
    Hangzhou $10


When comparing the travel costs between Malang and Hangzhou, we can see that Hangzhou 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.

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


Which is Bigger, Malang or Hangzhou?

Hangzhou has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Malang. When comparing the sizes of Malang and 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 along with the activities and attractions that interest you.