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

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Should you visit Petra or Xi'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 Xi'an can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Petra or Xi'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.

Xi'an

Xi'an is an ancient city in the Shaanxi Province in China. Today it is most notable as the location of the Terracotta Warriors, but for visitors who choose to linger, there is so much more to see and do in the area. The city itself is more than 3,000 years old and for about one thousand years, through 13 dynasties and 73 emperors, it was the capital. Because of its rich history there are many historical ruins and a strong culture in the city. Today the city is a pleasant place to visit, although much of it's influence and power has dwindled. The city has both cosmopolitan and modern areas as well as historic and culturally rich areas. The neighborhoods are diverse and by exploring the city in depth you can learn a little more about what China really has to offer.

Which place is cheaper, Xi'an 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 Xi'an is $94. 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 Xi'an in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Petra $59
    Xi'an $60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Petra $118
    Xi'an $120
Compare Hotels in Petra and Xi'an

Looking for a hotel in Petra or Xi'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.

Hotels in Petra


Hotels in Xian


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
    Xi'an $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:

  • Petra Private Transfer To Aqaba: $100
  • Petra Private Transfer to Ma'in Hot Spring: $140
  • Petra Private Transfer to or from Aqaba: $105
  • Petra to Aqaba King Hussein Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $52
  • 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 Petra To Or From Wadi Rum: $118
  • Private Transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $135
  • Private Transfer from Ma'in Hotel to Aqaba Airport: $120
  • Private Transfer from Petra City Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $93
  • Private Transfer from Petra to Aqaba Cruise Port : $67

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xi'an

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Xi'an:

  • Xi'an Airport Transfer: $17
  • Private High-speed Train Arrival Transfer: Xi'an Bei (North) Station to Hotel: $18
  • Private High-speed Train Departure Transfer: Hotel to Xi'an Bei (North) Station: $18
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Xi'an Central Train Station to Hotel: $21
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Xi'an Central Train Station: $21
  • Private Departure Transfer to Xi'an International Airport from City Hotels: $22
  • 24/7 Private Arrival Transfer: Xi'an Xianyang International Airport to Hotel: $23
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY): $23
  • Xian Train Station Arrival or Departure Transfer with English-Speaking Driver: $24
  • Xi‘an Airport Arrival or Departure Transfer Service with English-Speaking Driver: $24
  • Private Transfer from Xi'an Hotel to Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY): $25
  • Private Transfer from Xi'an hotel to Xi'an train station: $27

Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or Xi'an?

Prices for flights to both Xi'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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Petra $38
    Xi'an $12
Typical Food prices in Petra

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


  • Dinner for Two
    $12
  • Juice
    $1.77

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Xi'an

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Xi'an.

  • Skip the Line: Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket & Dumpling Dinner or Royal Banquet: $32
  • Xian Muslim Quarter: 2-Hour Small Group Walking Food Tour : $36
  • Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show and Dumpling Dinner with Private Hotel Transfer: $40
  • Dinner and Show of Tang Dynasty Palace in Xian: $40
  • Half-day Xi'an Biang Biang Noodles Cooking Class with Spice Market Visit: $50
  • Private Home Cooking Class:Dumpling Cooking Class Tour in Xi'an: $50
  • Xi'an Twilight Sightseeing and Food Tour: $51
  • Tang Dynasty Show with Optional Dinner: $51
  • Xi'an Authentic Food Tour with Local Beverages: $54
  • Tang Dynasty Dinner Show: $55
  • Xi'an Vegetarian Food Tour: $60
  • Xi'an Food Tour by Tuk Tuk: $62

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Petra $47
    Xi'an $35
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 Private Guided Tour In Petra with hotel pick up.: $75
  • Private 3 hour tour: Petra High Place of Sacrifice: $87
  • Private 3 Hours Inside Petra Tour: Treasury from the Top Off the Beaten Track: $87
  • Private Guided Walking Tour in Petra: $89
  • Private Indiana-Jones Archeological Trail Tour: $90
  • Private 2 hour horse riding tour: Petra High Place of Sacrifice: $100
  • Private Half-Day Tour of Petra with Lunch: $120
  • Bedouin Experience Petra: $133
  • Wadi Rum Day Tour from Petra ending in Aqaba: $138
  • Private Petra Back Door Tour with Guide : $140
  • Private Full Day Tour to Aqaba Red Sea from Petra Hotels.: $147
  • Private 2 hour tour: The Monastery in Petra via the Bedouin route : $150

Tours and Activities in Xi'an

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

  • Xi'an Virtual Tour: Emperor Qin Shi Huang and His Terracotta Army: $15
  • Terra-cotta Warriors Entrance Ticket with Optional Guided Service: $26
  • Terracotta Warriors Tickets Booking: $30
  • Xi'an Religions Tour: $41
  • Xi'an City Wall: Guided Tour with Cycling Option: $43
  • Guided Leisure Walking Tour to Muslim Quarter in Xi'an: $46
  • Leisure Night Walking Tour of Xi’an: $46
  • Xi'an Walking Tour: $46
  • 3-Hour City Wall Park Walking and Foodie Experience at Yongxingfang: $51
  • Terracotta Warriors Museum Ticket with Professional English-speaking tour guide: $51
  • Skip the Line: Xian Dumplings Banquet and Tang Dynasty Show Ticket: $54
  • Xi'an Big Wild Goose Pagoda: 2-hour Small Group Walking Tour: $54

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Petra $15
    Xi'an $7.23

How are these travel costs calculated?

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

Which is Bigger, Petra or Xi'an?

Xi'an is bigger, and its population is about 230.4 times larger than the population of Petra. When comparing the population of Petra vs. Xi'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 and the activities that interest you.

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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.
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Petra vs. Xi'an Travel Comparison

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