A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Singapore vs. Harbin for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Singapore or Harbin?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Singapore or Harbin? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Singapore or Harbin?

Singapore

Singapore is a city-state that was originally founded in 1819 as a British trading colony. Today it is a very international country that is incredibly modern and cosmopolitan. There is a strong financial industry in this country, and a correspondingly strong work ethic. It is one of the most prosperous cities in the world, and has one of the world's busiest ports.

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 Budget Tours to Singapore, The Best Tours for Seniors to Singapore, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.


Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Singapore?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Singapore is $151, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $54. 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 Singapore and Harbin in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Singapore $98
    Harbin $21
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Singapore $196
    Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Singapore and Harbin

Looking for a hotel in Singapore 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.

Hotels in Singapore


Hotels in Harbin


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Singapore $10
    Harbin $1.49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Singapore

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Singapore:


  • Taxi to Airport
    $24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Singapore

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Singapore:

  • Universal Studios Singapore Admission Ticket with Transfer: $175
  • Starry Night Singapore Tour + Roundtrip Transfers: $92
  • Universal Studios 1-Day Pass with 1-Way Transfer: $95
  • Night Safari with Tram Ride and Hotel Transfer: $168
  • Night Safari Ticket, Tram Ride, & Return Transfer: $103
  • Marina Bay Sands & Gardens By The Bay & Transfer: $143
  • Half-Day City Tour with Hotel Transfer: $35
  • City Transfer to Airport/Seaport Terminal: $60
  • City Transfer to Airport/Seaport Terminal: $59
  • Changi Airport to/from Hotel Private Transfer: $55
  • Airport/Seaport Arrival Transfer + Meet & Greet: $81
  • Singapore to Kuala Lumpur One Way Transfer: $153

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin

Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Any Harbin Railway Station : $25
  • Harbin Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer: $27
  • Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
  • Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
  • Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
  • Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service , Harbin Airport Transfer,Pick up: $78
  • Shared Night Transfer Service to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $85
  • Harbin City Car Transfer Service with Driver: $168
  • Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $168
  • Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250

Is it cheaper to fly into Singapore or Harbin?

Prices for flights to both Harbin and Singapore 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
    Singapore $27
    Harbin $14
Typical Food Prices in Singapore

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


  • Breakfast
    $4.48
  • Sugarcane Juice
    $1.47

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Singapore

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Singapore.

  • Secrets of Singapore Kick Scooter Tour with Dinner: $46
  • Secrets of Singapore Kick Scooter Tour with Dinner: $47
  • Guided Hawker Culture & Street Food Tour at Night: $65
  • Local Hawker Food Tour with Tastings: $65
  • Marina Bay Sands Yacht Cruise with Dinner: $67
  • Eat and Snap in Chinatown Walking Food Tour: $71
  • Small Group: Michelin and Local Hawker Food Tour: $72
  • Private Korean Cooking Class in Balmoral Road: $74
  • Best Ever Katong Food Tour with Local Foodie - Eat till you drop!: $74
  • Zebra Urban Safari Bicycle Tour with Local Dinner and Drinks: $75
  • Little India Hawker Street Food Tour: $81
  • Hands-on Cooking Class with Cultural Immersion: $81

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin

For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Food Tour Including Harbin Beer1900: $157
  • 4-Hour Private Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World with Dinner Options: $261

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Singapore $32
    Harbin $52

Tours and Activities in Singapore

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Singapore are as follows:

  • SG Adventure Pass with Dukw Tour: $122
  • *17 or 19 Hrs Kuala Lumpur Van Tour from Singapore w' Tour Guide: $185
  • *19 Hrs Kuala Lumpur&Melaka Van Tour from Singapore w' Tour Guide: $182
  • 1 Hour Admission Ticket for Singapore Cable Car: $26
  • 1-way Singapore hotel pickup (Batam private tour guests only): $120
  • 3 Ethnic Neighborhoods & UNESCO Street Food / Cultural Experience: $149
  • 3 Hour Private Sunset Tour in Singapore: $241
  • 3-Hour Marina Bay Best Spots Walking Tour: $68
  • 5-Hour Peranakan Heritage Tour with Peranakan Tile Painting : $124
  • 6-Hours Singapore Tour in Private Car or Minibus with Driver: $233
  • ArtScience Museum Admission Ticket: $23
  • Asian Civilisations Museum Admission Ticket: $12

Tours and Activities in Harbin

For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $130
  • 4-Hour Private Tour of the Largest Indoor Ice and Snow Paradise: $136
  • Private Half Day City Tour including Russian Town and Harbin Ropeway Ride: $150
  • Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
  • Small Group Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $198
  • Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
  • Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
  • Small Group Tour to Harbin Siberian Park Tiger: $200
  • Private Harbin Ice Festival Night Tour: $209
  • Songhua River Boat Tour and Food Experience in Harbin: $230
  • Full Day Private Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow Festival: $250
  • 2-Day Harbin City Private Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $280

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Singapore $27
    Harbin $7.83

Sample the Local Flavors in Singapore

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Singapore:

  • Tour of Tiger Brewery in Singapore: $21
  • Party Singapore Bespoke Pub Crawl:Wildest Nightlife Clubbing: $25
  • Singapore Pub Crawl - Party like a Local: $26
  • Little India Pub Crawl: $26
  • Halloween Horror Nightlife PartySingapore Bespoke Pub Crawl: $37
  • LeVeL33 Rooftop Brewery Tour and Craft Beer Tasting: $73


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Singapore and Harbin, we can see that Singapore 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 Singapore would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Singapore 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 Singapore Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Singapore or Harbin?

Singapore has a larger population, and is about 10% larger than the population of Harbin. When comparing the sizes of Singapore and Harbin, 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.