Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Malang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Should I visit Malang or Harbin? 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.
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.
Harbin, China is the northernmost major city in the country, with a population of over 10 million. Harbin was founded in 1897 by Russia, which has resulted in a lot of Russian influence throughout the city and many Russian citizens. The city is most famous for their annual International Snow and Ice Festival, a two-month-long festival running from January through February of each year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.
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 $68, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $55. 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 Harbin in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Malang or Harbin? 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.
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Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malang:
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Harbin 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.
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are a few actual costs in Malang for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Also in Harbin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Malang and Harbin, we can see that Malang is more expensive. And not only is Harbin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Harbin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Harbin 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 Malang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Malang than you might in Harbin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Malang Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Malang. When comparing the sizes of Malang and Harbin, 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.