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

Should you visit Malang or Tianjin?

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

Should I visit Malang or Tianjin? 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 Tianjin?

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.

Tianjin

Tianjin is a large metropolis on the north east coast of China. This ancient city, which dates back to prehistoric times, is one of five National Central Cities of China and is rich in culture and history. Tianjin is most famous for its beautiful walking streets and history of European concession territories.

Tianjin experiences hot and humid summers, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are cool and dry with temperatures around 15° (F). Spring and Autumn tend to be the best times to visit as weather is a little more mild, although Spring has a tendency to be a little rainy.

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


Which place is cheaper, Tianjin 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 Tianjin is $92. 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 Tianjin in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Malang $43
    Tianjin $35
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Malang $86
    Tianjin $70
Compare Hotels in Malang and Tianjin

Looking for a hotel in Malang or Tianjin? 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 Tianjin


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
    Tianjin $37

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malang

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malang:

  • Yogyakarta ;Transfer Service From Yogyakarta to Bromo/Malang: $109
  • FROM YOGYAKARTA TRANSFER TO BROMO/SURABAYA/MALANG CITY.: $50
  • Private Transfer - Malang To Surabaya International Airport: $38

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tianjin

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

  • Beijing Airport Transfer from Tianjin International Cruise Port: $130
  • Beijing Daxing or Capital Int’l Airport Private Departure Transfer from Tianjin : $128
  • Binhai Airport Private Transfer to Tianjin Cruise Port: $80
  • Cruise Transfer from Tianjin Port to Beijing Hotels : $225
  • Cruise Transfer:Tianjin International Home Port to Beijing PEK or Daxing Airport: $118
  • Port Arrival Transfer: Tianjin Cruise Home Port to Beijing Hotels: $100
  • Private 1-Way Transfer Between Tianjin Port to Beijing: $138
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN) to Hotel: $39
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Tianjin Cruise Port to Train Stations (Tianjin/Tanggu): $63
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN): $39
  • Private One Way Tianjin Port Transfer to Beijing including Great Wall Sightseeing: $198
  • Private One Way Transfer Between Tianjin Port and Beijing: $132

Is it cheaper to fly into Malang or Tianjin?

Prices for flights to both Tianjin 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
    Tianjin $36

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Malang $8.53
    Tianjin $10

Tours and Activities in Malang

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

  • 1 Day - Bromo Afternoon Siesta Tour start MALANG or SURABAYA // 11:00 - 18:00: $80
  • 1 Day - Tumpak Sewu, Kapas Biru Waterfall, Goa Tetes cave* Tour // 07:30 - 17:00: $75
  • 1 Day - ULTIMATE TOUR Tumpak Sewu Waterfall and Goa Tetes cave // 07:30 - 17:30: $52
  • 1 Day Amazing Bromo Sunrise tour from Malang Surabaya 7 spots: $41
  • 1 Day Mount Bromo Sharing Tour Package from Malang: $34
  • 1Day - Bromo Non Sunrise Tour via Malang (to avoid crowd): $79
  • 1Day - Bromo Sunrise Tour via Malang (Sharing or Private Jeep): $39
  • 1Day - Malang Cycling Village Tour: $60
  • 2 Days - Bromo Ijen Bali Ultimate Tour // D1 01.00 - D2 14.00: $175
  • 2 Days Shared Tour from Malang to Mount Bromo and Ijen: $104
  • 2-Day Tour: Mount Bromo & Tumpak Sewu from Malang or Surabaya: $164
  • 2Days - Bromo Sunrise Ijen Adventure via Malang: $199

Tours and Activities in Tianjin

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tianjin.

  • Tianjin International Cruise Home Port to Beijing Airport/City Tr: $119
  • Guided Day Tour to Tianjin Downtown with Lunch: $148
  • Private Tianjin City Night Tour with Haihe River Cruise: $176
  • 5-Hour Private Tianjin Shopping Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $179
  • Tianjin Cruise Port To Beijing Capital Airport With the English Speaking Driver: $187
  • Private Tianjin City Highlight Day Tour: $188
  • Tianjin Port-up To Beijing City Self-Guide Tour and Drop-off at Beijing Hotel: $192
  • 4-Hour Tianjin Shore Excursion to Shijia Mansion with Bullet Train Experience: $210
  • Tianjin Shore Excursion: Huangyaguan Great Wall Private Day Tour: $214
  • Tianjin Private Walking Tour Guided by a Lady Worked in Europe: $215
  • Private Tianjin Shopping Tour: $218
  • All-inclusive Day Tour: China House, Five Avenues, Ancient Street & Tianjin Eye: $224

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Malang -
    Tianjin $11


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Malang and Tianjin, we can see that Tianjin 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 Tianjin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tianjin 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 Tianjin Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Malang or Tianjin?

Tianjin has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Malang. When comparing the sizes of Malang and Tianjin, 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.