Which place is cheaper, Canberra or Nanjing?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nanjing or Canberra?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Nanjing or Canberra? 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: Nanjing or Canberra?
Nanjing
Nanjing is the capital city of the Jiangsu Province on the central eastern coast of China, just north of Shanghai. This historically and culturally rich city lies at the lower end of the Yangtze river, resulting in lush and scenic landscapes. Nanjing is well-known for having many popular historical sites, some of which have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Canberra
There is something special about the capital city of Australia. Canberra's not just a wonderful spot for outdoor adventures. It's a city completely designed and built up around the coast of an artificial lake. When architects Walter Burley and Marion Mahony Griffin proposed their plans for Canberra it was met with a lot of criticism. Many people thought it would be a "waste of a good sheep pasture."
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNanjing $96Canberra $133
The average daily cost (per person) in Nanjing is $96, while the average daily cost in Canberra is $133. 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 Nanjing and Canberra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNanjing $46Canberra $82
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNanjing $92Canberra $164
Compare Hotels in Nanjing and Canberra
Looking for a hotel in Nanjing or Canberra? 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.
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: Canberra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nanjing $38Canberra $24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nanjing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nanjing:
- Zhenjiang Private Transfer Service from Nanjing City or Lukou Airport : $78
- Yangzhou Private Transfer Service from Nanjing City or Lukou Airport : $80
- Tangshan Hot Spring Resorts Private Transfer from Nanjing Railway Station: $44
- Private Transfer to Yangzhou City from Nanjing Lukou Airport : $109
- Private Transfer to Nanjing Railway Station from Lukou Airport : $45
- Private Transfer to Gaochun City from Nanjing Lukou Airport: $88
- Private Transfer to Gaochun City from Nanjing : $88
- Private Transfer between Nanjing Olympic Stadium and City Hotel: $33
- Private Transfer between Nanjing Jinniuhu Wild Animal Park and City Hotels: $62
- Private Transfer Between Tangshan Hot Spring Resort and Nanjing Lukou Airport: $49
- Private Round Trip Transfer to Zhenjiang from Nanjing: $94
- Private Round Trip Transfer to Yangzhou Attractions from Nanjing: $89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Canberra
Also for Canberra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Canberra Airport (CBR) to Canberra - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $68
- Canberra Int'l Airport to Canberra - Arrival Private Transfer: $34
- Canberra to Canberra Int Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $34
- Guided Tour of Floriade Festival with Transfers: $117
- Private Transfer from Canberra Airport CBR to Eden Cruise Port : $82
- Private Transfer from Canberra city hotels to Eden Cruise Port: $82
Is it cheaper to fly into Nanjing or Canberra?
Prices for flights to both Canberra and Nanjing 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
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Food Meals for one dayNanjing $28Canberra $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nanjing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nanjing.
- 3-Hour Nanjing Authentic Local Food Tour by Public Transportation: $93
- Flexible Private Nanjing City Night Tour with Dinner Option : $112
- Nanjing City Private Night Tour with Qinghuai River Cruise and Dinner Option: $114
- Nanjing Tangshan Mountain Hot Spring Experience and Hot Pot Dinner: $175
- Private Amazing Nanjing Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $181
Typical Food Prices in Canberra
For Canberra, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch$16
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nanjing $9.27Canberra $17
Tours and Activities in Nanjing
Here are a few actual costs in Nanjing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Half-Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour : $109
- 2-Day Unlimited Nanjing Private Flexible Tour with Lunch Option : $295
- 4-Hour Nanjing City Private Tailor-Made Tour in Your Way : $109
- 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour: Xiaoling Tomb, Ming City Wall and Memorial Hall : $115
- All Inclusive Amazing Nanjing City Highlights Private Day Tour: $193
- All Inclusive Nanjing City Private Day Tour with Tailor-Made Highlights: $213
- All-inclusive Customized Nanjing Layover Tour: $201
- Beijing Great Wall Tour from Nanjing by Bullet Train with Private Car Service: $282
- Flexible Private Nanjing City Highlights Day Tour: $164
- Flexible Private Nanjing Independent Tour : $63
- Flexible Zhenjiang Private Day Tour from Nanjing: $197
- Half Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour with Night River Cruise: $165
Tours and Activities in Canberra
For Canberra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Building + Architecture Tour | 10am Daily: $13
- Museum Highlights Tour | 1pm Daily: $13
- First Australians Tour | 3pm Daily: $13
- Australian Institute of Sport: The AIS Tour: $14
- Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour in Canberra: $30
- LGBTQIA+ History Walking Tour: $33
- Guided Tree Ropes Course Experience in Majura Pines: $39
- Women's History Walking Tour with Local Guide: $40
- Spies in the Capital: Women in Espionage Walking Tour: $40
- Best of Wildlife Tour: $88
- Best of Wildlife and Birds Tour: $99
- Beer, Wine, and Spirits Tasting Tour: $111
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNanjing $9.46Canberra $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Canberra
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Canberra from other travelers:
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Drinks at a Bar$9.08
Sample the Local Flavors in Canberra
Also in Canberra, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Canberra Brewery and Beer Tour in 3 Hours: $98
- Canberra Brewery Winery and Distillery Tour: $112
- Capital Brewery Full-Day Tour: $121
- CanBEERa Explorer: Capital Brewery Full-Day Tour: $123
- From Winery, Distillery, & Tasting Tour with Lunch: $147
- Canberra Wine Tour: $158
- Full-Day Canberra Brewery, Wineries & Distillery tour /w lunch: $162
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nanjing and Canberra, we can see that Canberra is more expensive. And not only is Nanjing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nanjing is in Asia and Canberra is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Nanjing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nanjing 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 Canberra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Canberra than you might in Nanjing.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nanjing Expensive? and Is Canberra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nanjing or Canberra?
Nanjing has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Canberra. When comparing the sizes of Nanjing and Canberra, 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.
When is the best time to visit Nanjing or Canberra?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Canberra is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Nanjing has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Nanjing or Canberra in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Nanjing as well as Canberra. Also, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Canberra this time of year.
Nanjing is a little warmer than Canberra in the summer. The daily temperature in Nanjing averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Canberra fluctuates around 20°C (68°F)in January.
Nanjing receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nanjing usually gets more rain in July than Canberrain January. Nanjing gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryNanjing 28°C (83°F)Canberra 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Canberra in the Autumn?
Both Canberra and Nanjing are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Canberra for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Nanjing is around the same temperature as Canberra. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nanjing in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Canberra averages at about 17°C (63°F)in April.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Canberra. In October, Nanjing usually receives less rain than Canberrain April. Nanjing gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilNanjing 17°C (63°F)Canberra 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Canberra in the Winter?
Both Canberra and Nanjing during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Canberra in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Nanjing. In January, Nanjing is generally much colder than Canberrain July. Daily temperatures in Nanjing average around 3°C (37°F), and Canberra fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
Nanjing usually gets less rain in January than Canberrain July. Nanjing gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyNanjing 3°C (37°F)Canberra 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Canberra in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nanjing and Canberra. Furthermore, most visitors come to Canberra for the activities around the city during these months.
Nanjing is around the same temperature as Canberra in the spring. The daily temperature in Nanjing averages around 15°C (60°F) in April, and Canberra fluctuates around 15°C (60°F)in October.
Nanjing gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Nanjing usually receives around the same amount of rain as Canberrain October. Nanjing gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberNanjing 15°C (60°F)Canberra 15°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Canberra and Nanjing
| Nanjing | Canberra | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 21°C (69°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
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.