Which place is cheaper, Yangshuo or Petra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Petra or Yangshuo?
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 Yangshuo can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Petra or Yangshuo?
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.
Yangshuo
A county of the city, Guilin, Yangshuo is located in a region famous for its karst topography. Surrounded by jagged mountain peaks and bordered on one side by the Li River, Yangshuo has become a popular home base for tourists looking to explore the region's natural wonders. Backpackers and tourists, both foreign and domestic, come to Yangshuo every year making it a city of many cultures. Most locals are even able to speak English, which is fairly uncommon for Chinese cities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to China, and The Best Tours for Seniors to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPetra $125Yangshuo $72
The average daily cost (per person) in Petra is $125, while the average daily cost in Yangshuo is $72. 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 Yangshuo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPetra $59Yangshuo $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPetra $118Yangshuo $50
Compare Hotels in Petra and Yangshuo
Looking for a hotel in Petra or Yangshuo? 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 $23Yangshuo $42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:
- 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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangshuo
Also for Yangshuo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Xingping hotel: $21
- Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Yangshuo hotel: $21
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Guilin hotel: $37
- Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin Train Stations: $49
- Impression Liu Sanjie - Ticket Booking (including Round-trip Transfer): $75
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Longsheng hotel: $85
- Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
- Private Yangshuo Transfer from Hotel to Longji terraces Hotel: $96
- Guilin Private Transfer in English-speaking Services: Between Airport & Yangshuo: $106
- Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Longsheng hotel: $107
Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or Yangshuo?
Prices for flights to both Yangshuo 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 $38Yangshuo $19
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangshuo
For Yangshuo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 3-Hour Yangshuo Cooking Class with Yangshuo Town Shopping: $138
- Yangshuo Full Day Tour: Cooking class, River boat, Light Show: $259
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Petra $47Yangshuo $23
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
Tours and Activities in Yangshuo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Yangshuo.
- Tour to learn Chinese cuisine in Yangshuo group: $37
- Impression Sanjie Liu Show Ticket: $45
- Yangshuo Impression Liusanjie Show Ticket: $45
- Yangshuo Impression Liusanjie Show Ticket: $47
- Yangshuo Ruyi peak & round way cable car ticket: $55
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata Ticket: $56
- Half/Full-Day Yangshuo Countryside Moderate Cycling and Sightseeing Private Tour: $60
- Gullin: Li River Cruise with Pickup and Yangshuo: $65
- Private Half-Day Bike and Bamboo Raft Tour in Yangshuo: $80
- 1 Day - Yangshuo Bike Tour: $80
- All Inclusive Private Hiking Tour in Yangshuo: $84
- Yangshuo Parasailing Experience Ticket: $89
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPetra $15Yangshuo $33
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Petra and Yangshuo, we can see that Petra is more expensive. And not only is Yangshuo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Petra is in Middle East and Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Petra Expensive? and Is Yangshuo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Petra or Yangshuo?
Yangshuo has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Petra. When comparing the sizes of Petra and Yangshuo, 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 Yangshuo?
Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Petra as well as Yangshuo. 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 Yangshuo. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 33°C (91°F), and Yangshuo fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
It's quite rainy in Yangshuo. Petra usually gets less rain in July than Yangshuo. Petra gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPetra 33°C (91°F)Yangshuo 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Petra or Yangshuo in the Autumn?
Both Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Petra averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and Yangshuo fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In October, Petra usually receives less rain than Yangshuo. Petra gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPetra 27°C (80°F)Yangshuo 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Petra or Yangshuo in the Winter?
Both Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Petra in January average around 15°C (59°F), and Yangshuo averages at about 10°C (49°F).
Petra usually gets less rain in January than Yangshuo. Petra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPetra 15°C (59°F)Yangshuo 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Petra or Yangshuo in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Petra and Yangshuo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Petra year-round.
In April, Petra is generally a little warmer than Yangshuo. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 25°C (76°F), and Yangshuo fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
Yangshuo receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Petra usually receives less rain than Yangshuo. Petra gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPetra 25°C (76°F)Yangshuo 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Yangshuo and Petra
| Petra | Yangshuo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.