Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Pyeongchang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Pyeongchang or Harbin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Pyeongchang or Harbin, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Pyeongchang or Harbin?
Pyeongchang
Pyeongchang is a county of South Korea situated in the Taebaek Mountains in Gangwon Province. A popular location for winter sports, it was chosen as the host city for the 2018 Winter Olympics. Other attractions include Buddhist temples, parks, villages, and natural scenery.
Harbin
Harbin, China is the northernmost major city in the country, with a population of over 10 million. Harbin was founded in 1897 by Russia, which has resulted in a lot of Russian influence throughout the city and many Russian citizens. The city is most famous for their annual International Snow and Ice Festival, a two-month-long festival running from January through February of each year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul, The Best 10-Day Tours from Seoul, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.
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Pyeongchang Prices
South Korea PricesHarbin Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPyeongchang $133Harbin $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Pyeongchang is $133, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $66. 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 Pyeongchang and Harbin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPyeongchang $61Harbin $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPyeongchang $122Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Pyeongchang and Harbin
Looking for a hotel in Pyeongchang or Harbin? 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: Pyeongchang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pyeongchang $24Harbin $1.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $198
- Private Departure Transfer to Harbin North Railway Station from Harbin City: $100
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Harbin Volga Manor Private Transfer Service with Entry Tickets: $300
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer, Pick up.: $59
- Harbin Ice Festival Tickets and Transfer Service : $148
- Harbin Catholic Church Car Transfer Service: $80
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
- 4 Hour Private Transfer to Sun Island Snow Sculptures: $100
Is it cheaper to fly into Pyeongchang or Harbin?
Prices for flights to both Harbin and Pyeongchang 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 dayPyeongchang $47Harbin $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dinner Show with Costumes and Performances: $29
- Harbin Cultural Tour at Zhongyang Dajie to Baluoke with Dinner: $80
- Central Street, Baluoke Village, and Dinner Tour: $90
- Harbin Dumpling Cooking Class: $154
- Hot Spring Experience with Hot Pot Dinner in Harbin: $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pyeongchang $50Harbin $53
Tours and Activities in Pyeongchang
For Pyeongchang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Alpensia 2D1N Ski Lift Tour: $141
- Balwangsan Cable Car & Samyang Ranch One Day Tour: $78
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Harbin Igloos Hot Pot Private Tour: $300
- Private Night Tour to Harbin Ice Festival: $261
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $168
- 2-Day Harbin City Private Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $280
- All-Inclusive Harbin City History and Local Culture Private Day Tour: $300
- Group Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World plus Sun Island Snow Sculpture Festival: $298
- Half Day Tour for Harbin Guandong Ancient Lane and Wood Sculpture Museum: $104
- Half-Day Private Old Harbin Street Walking Tour with Meal: $300
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
- Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
- Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
- Harbin Ice Lantern Show and Center Street Tour: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPyeongchang $8.69Harbin $7.96
Sample the Local Flavors in Harbin
Also in Harbin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Brewery Tour: $250
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pyeongchang and Harbin, we can see that Pyeongchang is more expensive. And not only is Harbin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Harbin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Harbin 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 Pyeongchang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pyeongchang than you might in Harbin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pyeongchang Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pyeongchang or Harbin?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Pyeongchang or Harbin in the Summer?
Both Harbin and Pyeongchang are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In the summer, Pyeongchang is around the same temperature as Harbin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pyeongchang in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Harbin averages at about 24°C (75°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Harbin. It's quite rainy in Pyeongchang. In July, Pyeongchang usually receives more rain than Harbin. Pyeongchang gets 217 mm (8.5 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPyeongchang 24°C (76°F)Harbin 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Pyeongchang or Harbin in the Autumn?
Both Harbin and Pyeongchang during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In October, Pyeongchang is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Pyeongchang average around 15°C (60°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Pyeongchang. Pyeongchang usually gets more rain in October than Harbin. Pyeongchang gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPyeongchang 15°C (60°F)Harbin 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Pyeongchang or Harbin in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pyeongchang and Harbin.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Harbin. It's quite cold in Pyeongchang in the winter. Pyeongchang is much warmer than Harbin in the winter. The daily temperature in Pyeongchang averages around 0°C (33°F) in January, and Harbin fluctuates around -18°C (-0°F).
In January, Pyeongchang usually receives more rain than Harbin. Pyeongchang gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPyeongchang 0°C (33°F)Harbin -18°C (-0°F)
Should I visit Pyeongchang or Harbin in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Pyeongchang as well as Harbin.
In the spring, Pyeongchang is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pyeongchang in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Harbin averages at about 8°C (46°F).
Pyeongchang usually gets more rain in April than Harbin. Pyeongchang gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPyeongchang 12°C (54°F)Harbin 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Harbin and Pyeongchang
| Pyeongchang | Harbin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 0°C (33°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (35°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (76°F) | 217 mm (8.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (68°F) | 216 mm (8.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (60°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Nov | 9°C (49°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (38°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 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.