Which place is cheaper, Guilin or Petra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Petra or Guilin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Petra and Guilin can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Petra or Guilin?
Petra
Whether you're checking off the Seven Wonders of the World, or you're just a huge Indiana Jones fan, the city of Petra must be on your bucket list. The "rose red city, half as old as time," was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom in the 6th century BC. It was the center for trade and commerce until an earthquake took out buildings and destroyed their water management system. After this destruction, the city of Petra seemed to be lost to western civilization.
Guilin
Guilin is a city in Southern China situated on the west bank of the Li River with Hunan to the north. Its name means, "Forest of Sweet Osmanthus," owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. Products like tea, sugar, and wine, can be made from the tree and are found in many shops throughout Guilin. A popular tourist destination, the city is renowned for its scenery of karst topography with unique mountains jutting out of the urban landscape.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPetra $125Guilin $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Petra is $125, while the average daily cost in Guilin is $67. 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 Petra and Guilin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPetra $59Guilin $34
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPetra $118Guilin $68
Compare Hotels in Petra and Guilin
Looking for a hotel in Petra or Guilin? 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: Petra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Petra $23Guilin $5.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:
- Petra Private Transfer to or from Aqaba: $105
- Petra to Aqaba South Beach Hotels Private Transfer: $110
- Petra to Madaba Private Transfer: $140
- Petra to Sheikh Hussein Crossing Border Private Transfer: $180
- Petra to Wadi Rum Private Transfer: $80
- Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Ma'in Hotel and vice versa: $73
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
- Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional : $99
- Private Transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $135
- Private Transfer from Petra City Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $93
- Private transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $118
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:
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Taxi$2.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin Train Stations to Downtown Hotel: $17
- Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Guilin Train Stations: $17
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin International Airport (KWL) to Downtown Hotel: $25
- Private Departure Transfer: Downtown Guilin Hotel to Airport (KWL): $25
- Private Airport Transfer:Guilin Hotel to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport: $35
- Private Airport Transfer: Guilin Liangjiang International Aiport to Guilin Hotel: $35
- Guilin Railway stations Transfer Service: $37
- Private Transfer from Guilin hotel to Yangshuo hotel: $37
- Private Guilin Airport Transfer to Yangshuo: $42
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin Train Stations to Yangshuo: $49
- Haikou Meilan International Airport Chauffeur Service, Haikou Airport Transfer: $50
- Guilin liangjiang Airport Chauffeur Service,Guilin Airport Transfer: $57
Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or Guilin?
Prices for flights to both Guilin and Petra 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 dayPetra $38Guilin $22
Typical Food Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of dining costs in Petra are as follows:
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Dinner for Two$12
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Juice$1.76
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Petra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Petra.
- Cooking outside in little Petra between the Mountains. : $45
- Private Outdoor bedouin Dinner in Petra: $300
Typical Food Prices in Guilin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Guilin:
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Fresh Coconut Drink$1.38
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guilin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guilin.
- Half day Yangshuo Cooking lesson Small Group Tour: $62
- Full-Day Li-River with the 4 Star Luxury Boat VIP Room and Yangshuo Cooking Tour: $286
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Petra $47Guilin $28
Typical Entertainment Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Petra are as follows:
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Entry to Petra for One$71
Tours and Activities in Petra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Petra are as follows:
- 3-hour Private Guided Tour In Petra with hotel pick up.: $75
- Private Indiana-Jones Archeological Trail Tour: $90
- Private Half-Day Tour of Petra with Lunch: $120
- Wadi Rum Day Tour from Petra ending in Aqaba: $138
- Private Petra Back Entrance Tour with Guide .: $140
- 3 Hour Horse Riding Adventure around the Petra Area: $145
- Wadi Rum Private Tour from Petra with Martian and Star Wars Film Site: $173
- Petra Back Entrance Private Walking Tour: $215
- Private Full-Day Tour to Petra and Wadi Rum from Dead Sea: $269
- Private Back Trail Tour of Petra starting from the Monastery : $276
Typical Entertainment Prices in Guilin
Here are a few typical costs in Guilin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to the Caves$17
Tours and Activities in Guilin
Here are a few actual costs in Guilin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Guilin Yangshuo & Longji Rice Terrace 4 days tour: $21
- 1-DAY Private Longji Rice Terraces and Minority Villages Tour: $45
- Guilin Four lakes night cruise with the English speaking driver from Guilin hotel: $47
- Guilin City Center Walking Group Tour at Night for Three Hours: $50
- Half-Day Self-Guided Yangshuo Xianggong Hill Sunrise Tour: $52
- Private Full-Day City Tour with Fubo Hill: $59
- Full-Day Guilin Essence and Lifestyle Walking Tour: $69
- Private Bike Tour: Yangshuo Countryside: $72
- Kayaking Adventure with Local Guide: $72
- Yangshuo Old Town and Li River Cruise from Guilin: $72
- One Day Private Longshen Rice Terraces Tour Including Lunch: $73
- Half/Full day Yangshuo Cuiping hill Sunset Private Tour: $73
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPetra $15Guilin $5.72
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Petra and Guilin, we can see that Petra is more expensive. And not only is Guilin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Petra is in Middle East and Guilin is in Asia, 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 Guilin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guilin 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 Petra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Petra than you might in Guilin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Petra Expensive? and Is Guilin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Petra or Guilin?
Guilin has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Petra. When comparing the sizes of Petra and Guilin, 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 Petra or Guilin?
Guilin has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Petra experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Petra or Guilin in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Petra and Guilin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Petra year-round.
The heat can be very extreme in Petra. In the summer, Petra is around the same temperature as Guilin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Petra in July average around 33°C (91°F), and Guilin averages at about 30°C (86°F).
Guilin receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Petra usually receives less rain than Guilin. Petra gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPetra 33°C (91°F)Guilin 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Petra or Guilin in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Petra as well as Guilin. Petra attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Petra is generally a little warmer than Guilin. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 27°C (80°F), and Guilin fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Petra usually gets less rain in October than Guilin. Petra gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPetra 27°C (80°F)Guilin 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Petra or Guilin in the Winter?
Both Guilin and Petra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Petra throughout the year.
Petra is much warmer than Guilin in the winter. The daily temperature in Petra averages around 15°C (59°F) in January, and Guilin fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
In January, Petra usually receives less rain than Guilin. Petra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPetra 15°C (59°F)Guilin 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Petra or Guilin in the Spring?
Both Guilin and Petra during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Petra because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Petra is a little warmer than Guilin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Petra in April average around 25°C (76°F), and Guilin averages at about 20°C (68°F).
Guilin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Petra usually gets less rain in April than Guilin. Petra gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPetra 25°C (76°F)Guilin 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Guilin and Petra
| Petra | Guilin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 15°C (59°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Aug | 32°C (90°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 30°C (87°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (62°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.