Which place is cheaper, Guangzhou or Tianjin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tianjin or Guangzhou?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tianjin or Guangzhou? 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: Tianjin or Guangzhou?
Tianjin
Tianjin is a large metropolis on the north east coast of China. This ancient city, which dates back to prehistoric times, is one of five National Central Cities of China and is rich in culture and history. Tianjin is most famous for its beautiful walking streets and history of European concession territories.
Tianjin experiences hot and humid summers, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are cool and dry with temperatures around 15° (F). Spring and Autumn tend to be the best times to visit as weather is a little more mild, although Spring has a tendency to be a little rainy.
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 Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, and The Best Budget Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTianjin $76Guangzhou $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Tianjin is $76, 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 Tianjin and Guangzhou in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTianjin $34Guangzhou $57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTianjin $68Guangzhou $114
Compare Hotels in Tianjin and Guangzhou
Looking for a hotel in Tianjin 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tianjin $37Guangzhou $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tianjin
Also for Tianjin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Beijing: Private Roundtrip Transfer to Great Wall of China: $66
- Binhai Airport Private Transfer to Tianjin Cruise Port: $80
- Cruise Transfer:Tianjin International Home Port to Beijing PEK or Daxing Airport: $106
- Port Arrival Transfer: Tianjin Cruise Home Port to Beijing Hotels: $100
- Private 1-Way Transfer Between Tianjin Port to Beijing: $138
- Private Arrival Transfer: Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN) to Hotel: $39
- Private Departure Transfer: Bejing City Hotel to Airport: $32
- Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Any Tianjin Railway Station: $28
- Private PEK Airport Departure Transfer from Tianjin with Bullet Train Experience: $168
- Private Tianjin Airport Arrival Transfer to Beijing Hotels: $98
- Private Tianjin Port Transfer to Huangyaguan Great Wall: $178
- Private Tianjin Transfer to Xingang International Cruise Port from City Hotels: $60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guangzhou:
- Private Day Tour to Zhuhai from Guangzhou by Private Transfer: $300
- Private Airport Transfer: Guangzhou Airport to Hotel up to 15pax: $170
- Pearl River Night Cruise with Private Transfers in Guangzhou: $129
- Private Airport Transfer: Guangzhou Airport to Hotel up to 5pax: $120
- Zhuhai City Private Arrival Transfer from Guangzhou Baiyun Int'l Airport : $108
- Private Departure Transfer in English-speaking: Hotel to Airport: $99
- Guangzhou Night Pearl River Cruise VIP Seating with Private Transfer: $96
- Guangzhou Private Transfer from Guangzhou central to Guangzhou Airport (CAN): $85
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service , To Guangzhou Transfer,Pickup: $71
- Guangzhou Airport: Private Transfer to/from Guangzhou: $70
- Pearl River Night Cruise in Guangzhou with Private Transfer: $69
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (CAN) to Guangzhou City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $67
Is it cheaper to fly into Tianjin or Guangzhou?
Prices for flights to both Guangzhou and Tianjin 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 dayTianjin $20Guangzhou $19
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 walking tour with dimsum dinner&Zhujiang river cruise: $100
- Yum Cha Dim Sum Dinner and Pearl River Night Cruise Private Tour : $110
- 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
- Cantonese Dim Sum Dinner with Pearl River Night Cruise in Guangzhou: $199
- Guangzhou Pearl River Night Cruise and Din Tai Feng Dinner: $199
- Guangzhou Private Night Tour: Lychee Bay, Beijing Road, Cruise, Dinner: $204
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tianjin $10Guangzhou $18
Tours and Activities in Tianjin
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tianjin.
- 4-Hour Tianjin Shore Excursion Private Shopping Tour: $120
- Tianjin Private Walking Tour Guided by a Lady Worked in Europe: $151
- Private Tianjin City Night Tour with Haihe River Cruise: $156
- 4-Hour Private Tianjin Walking Tour with Dim Sum: $168
- 5-Hour Private Tianjin Shopping Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $179
- Private Tianjin City Highlight Day Tour: $188
- Tianjin Port-up To Beijing City Self-Guide Tour and Drop-off at Beijing Hotel: $192
- Tianjin Cruise Port To Beijing Daxing Airport With the English Speaking Driver: $203
- 4-Hour Tianjin Shore Excursion to Shijia Mansion with Bullet Train Experience: $210
- Bullet Train Private Tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven: $219
- 1 Day Tianjin City Essence Tour from Tianjin Port: $235
- Private Tianjin Day Tour to Huangyaguan Great Wall and Dule Temple: $238
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
- 1 Day Historical Guangzhou Layover Tour from Airport: $260
- 1-Day Guangzhou Airport Layover Visa-Free Private City Tour: $185
- 4-Hour Private Tour to Museum of Nanyue King & Academy of Clan Chen in Guangzhou: $91
- 5-Hour Sai Kwan Walking Tour with Unique Food Tasting: $72
- Ancient Foshan Day Tour from Guangzhou: $201
- Big Buddha Lotus Hill Ancient Quarry Seagull Island Private Tour : $300
- Big Buddha Mountain Martial Art Culture Countryside Private Tour: $220
- Canton Tower and Pearl River Cruise Private Guangzhou Day Tour: $180
- China Education Culture University Campus Lifestyle Private Tour: $180
- Chinese Classical Garden and Ancient Water Village Private Tour: $220
- Customised Private Guangzhou City Tour with Flexible Itinerary: $180
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTianjin $11Guangzhou $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tianjin and Guangzhou, we can see that Guangzhou is more expensive. And not only is Tianjin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tianjin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tianjin 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 Tianjin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tianjin Expensive? and Is Guangzhou Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tianjin or Guangzhou?
Tianjin has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Guangzhou. When comparing the sizes of Tianjin 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.
When is the best time to visit Tianjin or Guangzhou?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Tianjin or Guangzhou in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Tianjin as well as Guangzhou.
Tianjin is around the same temperature as Guangzhou in the summer. The daily temperature in Tianjin averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Guangzhou fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Guangzhou. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tianjin this time of the year. In the summer, Tianjin often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Guangzhou. Tianjin gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Guangzhou receives 220 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Guangzhou. Tianjin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tianjin usually gets less rain in July than Guangzhou. Tianjin gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTianjin 27°C (80°F)Guangzhou 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Tianjin or Guangzhou in the Autumn?
Both Guangzhou and Tianjin are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In the autumn, Tianjin is much colder than Guangzhou. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tianjin in October average around 15°C (58°F), and Guangzhou averages at about 25°C (76°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tianjin. Tianjin usually receives more sunshine than Guangzhou during autumn. Tianjin gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Guangzhou receives 192 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Tianjin usually receives less rain than Guangzhou. Tianjin gets 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTianjin 15°C (58°F)Guangzhou 25°C (76°F)
Should I visit Tianjin or Guangzhou in the Winter?
Both Guangzhou and Tianjin during the winter are popular places to visit.
Tianjin can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Tianjin is generally much colder than Guangzhou. Daily temperatures in Tianjin average around -3°C (27°F), and Guangzhou fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
It's quite sunny in Tianjin. In the winter, Tianjin often gets more sunshine than Guangzhou. Tianjin gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Guangzhou receives 133 hours of full sun.
Tianjin usually gets less rain in January than Guangzhou. Tianjin gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTianjin -3°C (27°F)Guangzhou 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Tianjin or Guangzhou in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tianjin and Guangzhou.
Tianjin is much colder than Guangzhou in the spring. The daily temperature in Tianjin averages around 14°C (58°F) in April, and Guangzhou fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In Tianjin, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tianjin usually receives more sunshine than Guangzhou during spring. Tianjin gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Guangzhou receives 78 hours of full sun in the spring.
Guangzhou receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Tianjin usually receives less rain than Guangzhou. Tianjin gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 182 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTianjin 14°C (58°F)Guangzhou 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Guangzhou and Tianjin
| Tianjin | Guangzhou | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -3°C (27°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (31°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 9 mm (0.3 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) |
| May | 21°C (69°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.1 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (58°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | -1°C (31°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 24 mm (0.9 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.