Which place is cheaper, Guangzhou or Sapa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Sapa or Guangzhou?
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 Sapa and Guangzhou can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Sapa or Guangzhou?
Sapa
Sapa is a beautiful town in the northern mountains of Vietnam by the border with China. Many travelers pass through the area on their way from China into Hanoi. Alternatively, some travelers head north from Hanoi to spend a few days in the beautiful mountains where tribal cultures are still alive and well. There are a good number of ethnic minorities that populate the area. The eight populations in the area include H'mong, Dao, Tay, Giay, Muong, Thai, Hoa, and Xa Pho, but the vast majority in the area are H'mong. Within the town of Sapa itself, there are about 7,000 people. The rest of the population lives in the surrounding countryside and are peasant farmers.
Guangzhou
With a population of more than 12 million, Guangzhou is the third largest city in China after Beijing and Shanghai. Though it has a long history, founded in 214 BC, the city has also many modern attractions, a mix of the old and new with temples and parks as well as skyscrapers and shopping centers. Its location on the Pearl River has contributed to this growth, making Guangzhou a major port and commercial hub.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Vietnam, The Best Tours for Seniors to Vietnam, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, and The Best 2-Week Tours in China.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySapa $36Guangzhou $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Sapa is $36, while the average daily cost in Guangzhou is $89. 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 Sapa and Guangzhou in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSapa $12Guangzhou $57
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSapa $24Guangzhou $114
Compare Hotels in Sapa and Guangzhou
Looking for a hotel in Sapa or Guangzhou? 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: Sapa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sapa $9.41Guangzhou $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sapa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Sapa are as follows:
-
Short Motorbike Ride$1.20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guangzhou:
- Guangzhou Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 15 Pax: $170
- Pearl River Night Cruise with Private Transfers in Guangzhou: $129
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service, To Dongguan Transfer: $120
- Guangzhou Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 5 pax: $120
- Private Guided Guangzhou Pearl River Cruise Tour With Hotel Transfer: $109
- Zhuhai City Private Arrival Transfer from Guangzhou Baiyun Int'l Airport : $108
- Private Transfer between Guangzhou and Shenzhen City Area: $104
- Private Arrival Transfer in English-speaking: Airport to Hotel: $99
- Guangzhou Night Pearl River Cruise VIP Seating with Private Transfer: $96
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to Guangzhou Hotel: $88
- Guangzhou Private Transfer from Guangzhou central to Guangzhou Airport (CAN): $86
- Guangzhou Private Transfer from Guangzhou Airport (CAN) to central Guangzhou: $86
Is it cheaper to fly into Sapa or Guangzhou?
Prices for flights to both Guangzhou and Sapa 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 daySapa $16Guangzhou $19
Typical Food Prices in Sapa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Sapa:
-
Casual Dinner (for One)$2.72
-
Quick Breakfast (for Two)$2.20
-
Coffee (for Two)$2.40
-
Western Dinner (for Two)$7.96
-
Pho Soup$0.60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guangzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guangzhou.
- Guangzhou Evening Food Tour Through Local Neighborhood: $65
- Guangzhou Night View Cruise Tour with Dinner: $90
- Private Guangzhou Night Tour VIP Cruise and Dim-Sum Dinner Option: $146
- 3-Hour Guangzhou Private Cooking Class with Local Market Visit : $165
- Private Guangzhou Night Tour with Canton Tower and Dim-Sum Dinner: $176
- Private Guangzhou Food Tour Michelin Restaurant&Local Food Market: $180
- Private Guangzhou Food Tour Yumcha and Local Food Market Explore: $180
- Guangzhou Private Night Tour: Lychee Bay, Beijing Road, Cruise, Dinner: $204
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sapa $6.13Guangzhou $18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sapa
For Sapa, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
CatCat Village Tax$1.60
-
Ta Phin Village Tax$0.80
-
Walking Stick$0.20
-
Paddle Boat Rental on Sapa Lake (1 Hr)$3.20
Tours and Activities in Guangzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Guangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Guangzhou Self-Guided Tour with Private Car and Driver Service: $75
- Liuxihe National Forest Park Private Day Tour from Guangzhou: $266
- Private Tour of Foshan: The Ancestral Temple and Other Options from Guangzhou : $167
- 1 Day Historical Guangzhou Layover Tour from Airport: $260
- 4 Hours Half Day Guangzhou Airport Layover Visa-Free Private Tour: $180
- 4-Hour Baiyun Mountain Yuntai Garden Private Guangzhou City Tour: $180
- 5-Hour Sai Kwan Walking Tour with Unique Food Tasting: $72
- AAAAA Top National Natural Preserve Dinghu Mountain Private Tour: $300
- All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Lotus Hill and Shawan Old Town from Guangzhou: $229
- Ancient Foshan Day Tour from Guangzhou: $201
- Best of Guangzhou City Sightseeing: $110
- Big Buddha Mountain Martial Art Culture Countryside Private Tour: $220
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySapa $8.18Guangzhou $14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sapa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Sapa are as follows:
-
Two Beers$1.00
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sapa and Guangzhou, we can see that Guangzhou is more expensive. And not only is Sapa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sapa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sapa 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 Guangzhou would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guangzhou than you might in Sapa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sapa Expensive? and Is Guangzhou Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sapa or Guangzhou?
Guangzhou has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Sapa. When comparing the sizes of Sapa and Guangzhou, 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.
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.