Which place is cheaper, Hoi An or Petra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Petra or Hoi An?
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 Hoi An can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Petra or Hoi An?
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.
Hoi An
Located just south of the city of Da Nang, Hoi An is famous for it's beautiful old town. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unfortunately, since its designation as a World Heritage Site in 1999, mass tourism has grown and the city has felt the growing pains. Most of the homes and shops in the old town are now used for commercial purposes. The city is still quaint, but the old town is lined with tailor shops, souvenir stores, and restaurants. Foreigners are required to purchase a ticket to enter the old town of Hoi An (120,000 VND, about $5).
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Vietnam, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in Vietnam.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPetra $125Hoi An $46
The average daily cost (per person) in Petra is $125, while the average daily cost in Hoi An is $46. 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 Hoi An in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPetra $59Hoi An $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPetra $118Hoi An $42
Compare Hotels in Petra and Hoi An
Looking for a hotel in Petra or Hoi An? 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 and Hoi An Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Petra $23Hoi An $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:
- Private transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $118
- Private Transfer from Petra City Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $93
- Private Transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $135
- Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional : $99
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Ma'in Hotel and vice versa: $73
- Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
- Petra to Wadi Rum Private Transfer: $80
- Petra to Sheikh Hussein Crossing Border Private Transfer: $180
- Petra to Madaba Private Transfer: $140
- Petra to Aqaba South Beach Hotels Private Transfer: $110
- Petra Private Transfer to or from Aqaba: $105
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hoi An
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Hoi An are as follows:
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Taxi From Danang to Hoi An$8.79
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Bus From Hoi An Bus Station to Town$0.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hoi An
Also for Hoi An, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer to Da Nang Hotels or to Hoi An City: $4.10
- Hoi An and Da Nang Airport/City Shuttle Transfer Service: $6.00
- Da Nang Airport : transfer to Da Nang center / to Hoi An: $7.06
- Da Nang Airport : transfer to Da Nang center / to Hoi An: $7.06
- From One-Way Shared Bus Transfer to Da Nang: $8.82
- From Hoi An/Da Nang: Shuttle Bus Transfer to My Son: $9.00
- Hue: Transfer to/from Airport, Hoi An, Danang by Private Car: $10
- Basket Boat Ticket & Transfer in Cam Thanh Village: $14
- Hoi An : Cam Thanh Basket Boat Riding W Two-way Transfers: $14
- Hoi An Bamboo Basket Boat Tour with Two-way Transfers: $14
- Hoi An : Cam Thanh Basket Boat Riding W Two-way Transfers: $14
- Hoi An Basket Boat Ride Includes Two-way Transfers: $14
Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or Hoi An?
Prices for flights to both Hoi An 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 $38Hoi An $9.95
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 Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Bamboo Village (for Two)$14
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$3.99
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Casual Dinner (for Two)$7.99
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bamboo Basket Boat Tour with Optional Lunch/Dinner: $14
- Hoi An:Traditional Cooking Class with Cam Thanh Local Family: $21
- Traditional Cooking Class & meal w Cam Thanh Family: $21
- Hoi An/Da Nang: Vietnamese Cooking Class with Transportation: $22
- From Cooking Class at Organic Farm: $22
- Mad Monkey Hoi An Cooking Class & Bamboo Boats: $23
- Traditional Vietnamese Cooking Class in Leina Cookery: $23
- Evening Tra Que Cooking Class with Locals in Herb Village: $24
- Hoi An : Basket Boat Ride & Cooking Class with Market Tour: $24
- Vietnamese Cooking Class with Local Family in Hoi An: $24
- Cooking Class with Traditional Vietnamese Meals: $24
- Hoi An : Cooking Class W Optional Basket Boat & Market Tour: $25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Petra $47Hoi An $13
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 Horse Riding Adventure around the Petra Area: $145
- 3-hour Private Guided Tour In Petra with hotel pick up.: $75
- Petra Back Entrance Private Walking Tour: $215
- Private Back Trail Tour of Petra starting from the Monastery : $276
- Private Full-Day Tour to Petra and Wadi Rum from Dead Sea: $269
- Private Half-Day Tour of Petra with Lunch: $120
- Private Indiana-Jones Archeological Trail Tour: $90
- Private Petra Back Entrance Tour with Guide .: $140
- Wadi Rum Day Tour from Petra ending in Aqaba: $138
- Wadi Rum Private Tour from Petra with Martian and Star Wars Film Site: $173
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hoi An
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Hoi An's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Golf (for Two)$148
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Short Boat Ride$1.60
Tours and Activities in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Hoi An Ancient Town - Free Walking Tour: $2.05
- Hoi An Ancient Town- Free Walking Tour with Local Guide: $2.05
- Experience Kim Bong Carpentry with Local Artisans: $6.57
- Experience Bamboo Basket Boat on Coconut village w Locals: $6.89
- Da Nang/Hoi An:Experience Basket Boat ride in Coconut Forest: $7.18
- Hoi An Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Bus to My Son Sanctuary with Entrance ticket: $8.00
- Experience the Art of Vietnamese Coffee Making: $11
- Mad Monkey Hoi An Bicycle Tour: $12
- Cam Thanh Tour with Bamboo Basket Boat: $12
- Hoi An : Bamboo Basket Boat Tour: $12
- Basket Boat Experience: $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPetra $15Hoi An $9.06
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hoi An
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Hoi An are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$9.59
Sample the Local Flavors in Hoi An
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Hoi An:
- Pub Crawl by Bus with Shots at Each Bar: $8.21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Petra and Hoi An, we can see that Petra is more expensive. And not only is Hoi An much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Petra is in Middle East and Hoi An 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 Hoi An would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hoi An 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 Hoi An.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Petra Expensive? and Is Hoi An Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Petra or Hoi An?
Hoi An has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Petra. When comparing the sizes of Petra and Hoi An, 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 Hoi An?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Petra or Hoi An in the Summer?
Both Hoi An and Petra during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Petra because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hoi An year-round.
February to July is the dry season in Hoi An. September to January is the rainy season in Hoi An. Petra usually gets less rain in July than Hoi An. Petra gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Hoi An receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Hoi An, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Petra. In the summer, Petra often gets more sunshine than Hoi An. Petra gets 384 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hoi An receives 242 hours of full sun.
The heat can be very extreme in Petra. In the summer, Petra is a little warmer than Hoi An. Typically, the summer temperatures in Petra in July average around 33°C (91°F), and Hoi An averages at about 29°C (85°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPetra 33°C (91°F)Hoi An 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Petra or Hoi An in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Petra and Hoi An. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Petra year-round. Hoi An attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Hoi An receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Petra usually receives less rain than Hoi An. Petra gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Hoi An receives 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In Petra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Petra usually receives more sunshine than Hoi An during autumn. Petra gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Hoi An receives 158 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Petra is generally around the same temperature as Hoi An. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 27°C (80°F), and Hoi An fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPetra 27°C (80°F)Hoi An 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Petra or Hoi An in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Petra as well as Hoi An. Petra attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hoi An throughout the year.
Also, February to July in Hoi An is the dry season. September to January in Hoi An is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Hoi An. Petra usually gets less rain in January than Hoi An. Petra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Hoi An receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Petra this time of the year. In the winter, Petra often gets more sunshine than Hoi An. Petra gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hoi An receives 136 hours of full sun.
Petra is cooler than Hoi An in the winter. The daily temperature in Petra averages around 15°C (59°F) in January, and Hoi An fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPetra 15°C (59°F)Hoi An 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Petra or Hoi An in the Spring?
Both Hoi An and Petra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Petra throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Hoi An because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Petra usually receives less rain than Hoi An. Petra gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Hoi An receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Hoi An. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Petra. Petra usually receives more sunshine than Hoi An during spring. Petra gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Hoi An receives 210 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Petra is around the same temperature as Hoi An. Typically, the spring temperatures in Petra in April average around 25°C (76°F), and Hoi An averages at about 26°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPetra 25°C (76°F)Hoi An 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Hoi An and Petra
| Petra | Hoi An | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 15°C (59°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 32°C (90°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Sep | 30°C (87°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 613 mm (24.1 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 376 mm (14.8 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (62°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 223 mm (8.8 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.