A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Petra vs. Longsheng for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Petra or Longsheng?

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 Longsheng can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Petra or Longsheng?

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.

Longsheng

A county of the city, Guilin, Longsheng is a hub of several ethnic cultures that thrive on farming and tourism. It is located about 50 or so miles north of the Guilin city center. The region is perhaps most known for the Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces located in Heping Township. These, along with many other natural features like hot springs, waterfalls, and meadows are a few of the main attractions that draw visitors to Longsheng.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, and The Best Adventure Tours to China.


Which place is cheaper, Longsheng or Petra?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Petra is $125, while the average daily cost in Longsheng is $78. 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 Longsheng in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Petra $59
    Longsheng $20
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Petra $118
    Longsheng $40
Compare Hotels in Petra and Longsheng

Looking for a hotel in Petra or Longsheng? 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 Petra


Hotels in Longsheng


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Petra $23
    Longsheng $41

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:

  • Petra to Sheikh Hussein Crossing Border Private Transfer: $180
  • Petra to Madaba Private Transfer: $140
  • Private Transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $135
  • Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
  • Private transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $118
  • Petra to Aqaba South Beach Hotels Private Transfer: $110
  • Petra Private Transfer to or from Aqaba: $105
  • Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional : $99
  • Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
  • Private Transfer from Petra City Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $93
  • Petra to Wadi Rum Private Transfer: $80
  • Private Transfer Amman Airport to Ma'in Hotel and vice versa: $73

Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or Longsheng?

Prices for flights to both Longsheng 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Petra $38
    Longsheng $35
Typical Food Prices in Petra

Some typical examples of dining costs in Petra are as follows:


  • Dinner for Two
    $12
  • 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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Petra $47
    Longsheng $8.38
Typical Entertainment Prices in Petra

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Petra are as follows:


  • 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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Petra $15
    Longsheng $7.89


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Petra and Longsheng, we can see that Petra is more expensive. And not only is Longsheng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Petra is in Middle East and Longsheng 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 Longsheng would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Longsheng 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 Longsheng.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Petra Expensive? and Is Longsheng Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Petra or Longsheng?

Longsheng 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 Longsheng in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Petra as well as Longsheng. Petra attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Petra can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Petra is generally around the same temperature as Longsheng. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 33°C (91°F), and Longsheng fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).

It's quite rainy in Longsheng. Petra usually gets less rain in July than Longsheng. Petra gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Longsheng receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Petra 33°C (91°F) 
    Longsheng 30°C (86°F)

Should I visit Petra or Longsheng in the Autumn?

Both Longsheng and Petra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Petra throughout the year.

Petra is a little warmer than Longsheng in the autumn. The daily temperature in Petra averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and Longsheng fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In October, Petra usually receives less rain than Longsheng. Petra gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Longsheng receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Petra 27°C (80°F) 
    Longsheng 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Petra or Longsheng in the Winter?

Both Longsheng and Petra during the winter 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 winter, Petra is much warmer than Longsheng. Typically, the winter temperatures in Petra in January average around 15°C (59°F), and Longsheng averages at about 10°C (49°F).

Petra usually gets less rain in January than Longsheng. Petra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Longsheng receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Petra 15°C (59°F) 
    Longsheng 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Petra or Longsheng in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Petra and Longsheng. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Petra year-round.

In April, Petra is generally a little warmer than Longsheng. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 25°C (76°F), and Longsheng fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

Longsheng receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Petra usually receives less rain than Longsheng. Petra gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Longsheng receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Petra 25°C (76°F) 
    Longsheng 20°C (68°F)

Typical Weather for Longsheng and Petra

Petra Longsheng
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)